To further encourage any parents thinking about homeschooling, I got to experience both homeschool and public school. I 100% thought that being homeschooled was actually the better social experience. My parents made sure we got together with other homeschooled kids frequently though our homeschool co-op, choir, book clubs, sports, family gatherings, etc. My time with them was so refreshing and spiritually encouraging, and we made powerful and lasting relationships. I had a very difficult time finding such close friends in my highschool, because our values were so different. There may have been more people to socialize with, but not as many opportunities to make best friends.
I think it's wonderful that you have both been shielded from a great deal of sin from a young age, and that you can carry on that legacy with your own family, giving them the gift of confidence, and allowing them to fulfil the purpose God has in mind for them. I disagree with your claim that shyness is selfishness, and your advice to for a shy person to listen more closely to the other person they are communicating with is ill advised. I believe this because people who have grown up around sin, in their families and communities, are affected in complex ways, and do not present a shy demeanor out of obsession with the self, but instead, because of deeply held beliefs about themselves and the world. With God's help, it takes a considerable amount of work and perseverance to overcome. Not to mention that manipulative types thrive on this sort of attention from a person who is operating from this spiritual state of being. Perhaps your well loved and spiritually nourished children could be made to understand these sorts of spiritual states so they can be a reassuring representative of heaven, and encourage the healing God wants for people, so they too can fulfill their role within the wider spiritual context.
This was very helpful! I’d love to hear more about how you will handle extracurricular activities as the kids get a little older in elementary school and beyond. I feel a lot of pressure to “make up” for the kids not being in regular school. There’s so many things our kids are interested in… sports, swimming, piano lessons, etc… How do you decide how many activities to do or not do?
This is really good, thank you for this episode. Would you please consider sharing (maybe in the newsletter or on your website) what the conversation starters are that you practice with your children? This is an area in our family we can grow in and I really want my boys to be equipped to talk to anyone. I am so often amazed at your wisdom and entrepreneurship, well done!
