Dear Mom, I am happy for you that you are enjoying the first year of homeschooling. You are right, it is a big transition and one that bears better under patience and large doses of understanding. When most of us first began the journey into the homeschooling lifestyle it seemed sufficient to cloister our lives away from the distractions of public school, etc. However after one reaches the place where they are beginning to understand the difference that homeschooling makes in their life then it begins to feel like it is time to 'invite' some of the outside influences in. This is truly the beginning of allowing that perhaps a few play dates etc. should be allowed. You see it takes time to adjust to the lifestyle that homeschooling creates and when this is achieved then moms are better able to regulate the outside influences to prevent those influences which would take away from homeschooling. It would be counterproductive to have your little girl spend time with her old friends if they were going to constantly be comparing homeschooling to the school experience in a negative way. It is perfectly normal for your daughter to miss her friends. I would imagine that she is a happy child who enjoyed the company of her school mates very much. Remember it is not the school situation that she is missing but her friends. It may be that it is time to find a new circle of friends for her to enjoy. Do you have co-operative homeschool group in your community? Do you have a circle of Catholic homeschooling families that you interact with regularly? This would be the first place to go to develop new friendships. I personally do not think that missing her friends is reason enough to send her back to school. However I do think that what she may be saying to you is 'Mom, I love spending my days with you but I need to be with some friends my own age as well.' Look for those opportunities to round out her friendships. Lord, we ask that You send all homeschooling families the resources to develop a strong circle of kindred friends that will uplift and encourage the families that are on this journey. Lord, we praise You and thank You for Your companionship and guidance as we navigate the waters of Your will for us. Sending out a prayer,
Rita Munn |
