Imagine you are a mother of young children who are not yet of school age. After much prayer, and consultation with your husband, you believe God is calling you to send your kids to public school. You have two homeschooling friends, who you have known for several years. When you tell them your decision, this is their reaction:
Homeschooling friend No. 1: Seriously, you're going to send your children to public school? You don't have to send your kids to public school. You have the right to chose what is best for them and homeschooling is definitely best. Don't you know that public school is of the devil? You're really missing God's calling. I don't care what your husband says, don't you know God wants everyone to home school their kids? It's in the Bible. You're really disobeying God. I'll be praying you change your attitude.
Homeschooling friend No. 2: Really? Well, we were called to homeschool, but as a parent, you have the responsibility and right to decide what type of education is best for your children. We may believe in different methods, but I respect your decision.
After these conversations, you never hear from Homeschooling friend No. 1, except when you get her regular emails on the evils of public education. At first you tried to keep up the friendship because your kids were friends of her kids, but now she is always busy whenever you try to set up play dates. Finally, you give up trying, and wonder if she is afraid your kids will contaminate hers. Occasionally you run into her at the store, and she always asks, "Are you STILL sending your kids to that God forsaken public school? I'm praying that you will start listening to God." Her attitude reinforces your decision to not homeschool, because if home schoolers are like that, you don't want to be a part of it.
Homeschooling Friend No. 2 calls you regularly, lets you know she's praying for you and your children, invites you for coffee and your kids play together a lot. You compliment each other on how well behaved and sociable your children are. You wish all homeschooling mothers were that easy to get along with.
After a couple of years of your kids being in public school, you feel that God is calling you to withdraw them and begin to home school them. This is not an easy decision, because it is a complete change of direction.
Homeschooling Friend No. 1 hears of your decision through the grape vine. She calls you and tells you that she is so happy you finally decided to do the right thing. She says be careful about joining just any home school group, because (gulp) some allow CYBER SCHOOL families to attend, and everyone knows cyber school is worse that regular public school. You don't tell her that you strongly considered cyber school as an alternative before deciding to home school, and while you didn't think it was the right choice for your family, you've met some nice cyber school families, who have made the right decision for them. She invites you to her homeschooling meeting, where they will be discussing parental rights in education. She says that you have to come, because after all, homeschooling parents have to stand together. No one has the right to tell us how we should educate our kids, she tells you. After that she says they will be looking at a curriculum, which, in her opinion, is the only curriculum any Christian parent should consider. She can't understand why you decline her invitation. As you hang up the phone, the word hypocrite comes to mind. You wonder how many parents she and her group have alienated.
Homeschooling Friend No. 2 hears of your decision, because you call her right away. She is happy to hear you will be homeschooling your kids, and offers you her help. She invites you to a homeschooling support group she started where all families who educate their kids at home are welcome. She offers to send you some links to different curriculums you might want to consider purchasing. She tells you that every home schooling family is different and there are many different ways to home school. She ends the conversation by praying for you and your home school. You hang up, happy you have such a nice friend that doesn't expect you to be just like her. You think she is a great representative of the home schooling community.
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