My Family Is Against Homeschooling

Do you know someone who is against homeschooling? Answering questions from people who are anti-homeschooling is difficult especially when the critics are well meaning friends and family members (or sometimes even strangers - believe it or not!) For the most part, these people don't understand your decision to homeschool and tell you that you are making a mistake.

First, no matter where the negative reactions to homeschooling originate, you must be confident in your decision to homeschool.

Homeschooling is becoming much more widely practiced and accepted in the U.S. Unfortunately, with this rise in popularity, more and more people are expressing their views against homeschooling. Nevertheless, when you first begin you may feel like all eyes are on you when you venture into the public arena during regular school hours. Homeschool questions from the general public (work collegues, cashiers, neighbors, medical personnel) may come more often than you would think.

Discuss with your child how you would like them to answer when asked where they go to school. You may decide on a school name that they could use, or you may just have them answer "I homeschool."

I have found that most reactions from people in public are positive. Be polite, accept any positive response they offer, and concisely answer any appropriate questions they have.

In some cases, my kids have had some people respond with a grunt or an "oh" and that is the end of the conversation. However, if someone does say bad things about homeschooling, I would suggest that you intervene (especially for a younger child) with a simple succinct comment along the lines of..."We think it is best for our family. We are happy with our choice"...then promptly change the subject. Negative commentary and elaboration are not necessary in these situations.

When you inform family and friends of your decision to homeschool, you will likely get a variation of one of these two responses:

"That's great!" OR "I'm not sure that's such a great idea."

If you get the first response, consider yourself blessed with family and friends who share your enthusiasm for homeschooling. You will certainly have an instant support structure.

Be posititve. Don't dwell on the negatives of public school. Remember they probably came through a traditonal system and feel it served them well. Instead, focus on how home education benefits your family.

Provide information on how homeschooling works. Provide them with internet links (like this one) and articles about homeschool statistics and successes.

If appropriate, invite them to participate in some of the activites you have planned, like a support group meeting or field trip.

Don't discuss any difficulites you have while homeschooling with friends and family who are not convinced you have made the right decision. Save these for your spouse, supportive friends or other homeschoolers in your support group.

If all these efforts are in vain, it may be best to agree to disagree and close the subject from any further discussion.

If your spouse or child is against homeschooling, discuss the issue calmly. Let him or her know why you want to homeschool. Find our their concerns and work to address each one. Involve older children in decisions about curriculum and scheduling. Ask them to agree to a trial period after which your child will return to school if homeschooling does not work out.

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