Proverbs 22:6 says, “Train up a child in the way he should go,
And when he is old he will not depart from it.”   This is one of the homeschooling parent’s favorite verses.  This verse is what motivates Christian parents to teach their own kids in their own homes. This encourages us to seek out Bible based curriculum.  

Just in case Christian homeschooling isn’t enough, we add church, Sunday school, youth groups, AWANA, Keepers of the Faith Clubs, UPWARDS, etc.  We try to “socialize” our kids with other Christian homeschoolers by joining support groups and co-ops.

We are careful about how much tv , secular music, internet, social media, or video games they are allowed.  We monitor their reading choices.  We enforce modesty.

But, we don’t want our kids to be too “sheltered” as we fear they won’t know how to act once they enter into the “real world”, so we get them involved in mission projects.  We add current event studies to our homeschool days.  Sometimes we may go as far to watch a Twilight DVD or an episode of Teen Mom with our teenage girls or some Alien Zombie Something with the teen boys so they can find out for themselves just what all the hype is about.

Is this enough training in the “way they should go”?  A homeschool parent has hope that it’s enough.  But a homeschool parent also has doubt.  At least this homeschool mom has doubts  sometimes.

I’m taking a serious look at how I have been training mine.  It’s not only because A-21 is struggling to make a place in his post homeschool world, it’s also because of a new blog and social media site I stumbled on.  In fact I’ve been shedding tears over it.  My heart is breaking for those who have written articles.   The site?  Homeschoolers Anonymous.

These former homeschoolers have written several articles.  I only read a few before tears blurred  my vision.  They share stories of abuse, of being social outcasts and misfits.  Some have written about “breaking free” of the faith they were taught by their parents.  Homeschoolers Anonymous has a mission statement.  The following is what I copied and pasted from their site:

“The mission of Homeschoolers Anonymous is:

1. To bring awareness to the suffering many children experience through aspects of certain homeschooling subcultures

2. To educate the public about the inner workings and politics of the homeschooling world

3. To provide a voice against some of the extreme positions from within homeschooling ideology

4. To inspire others to speak up about abuse and control

5. To give hope to those who currently suffer from abuse and control

6. To bring healing to those who have escaped an abusive or controlling home environment and provide new survivors with resources for developing independence

7. To create a community of shared experiences”

E17 knew I was upset.  I confided in her.  I told her about Homeschoolers Anonymous.  She tried to assure me that she’s glad that she’s been homeschooled.  She does not think she’s been overly sheltered.  She does not think I’ve forced my faith on her.  She says that she’s planning to homeschool her own children some day.  She gave me hope.

I’m praying about the training.  I want it to be in the way they should go.  I’m praying about the way I teach and the way my kids learn.  I’m praying that I’m not being too controlling or forceful.  I’m praying that they will never feel that they have been brainwashed or have to “break free” from their mom’s faith.  I’m praying that my kids will know that I love them more than anything else on earth.  And I am praying that they will come know, love, and follow Jesus through something I said or did or had them do.

Here’s the link to Homeschoolers Anonymous:  http://homeschoolersanonymous.wordpress.com/about/

betty jo