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I've got something to share. I've never heard of or read an unsuccessful home school experience. I think the reason for that might be that, we (home schooling parents) are stepping so far out of the norm, that we feel we must succeed. And when we don't it feels like it's a dismal failure; so those who have had a less than perfect outcome, just slip quietly into the background and try not to draw attention to themselves.

First, home schooling isn't a guarantee of success; its just a different approach to educating/learning. Like all things in life, we learn and grow . as we go

During high school, I chose to push myself to study, even staying up until maybe three in the morning . . . in high school. I did this because I was concerned about making sure I was not in trouble with God. My parents tried to stop me from doing this extra time of studying. So . . . I can see that your boy can decide to do what he sees fit to set out to do. You are not really determining how he comes out. But >

"nor as being lords over those entrusted to you,
but being examples to the flock." (1 Peter 5:3)

Your *example* certainly can be very good for him. I mean your example in the sight of God > not only what children can observe, but in your secret life, also. Philippians 2:14-16, for how we are inside ourselves and in our relating in marriage and other relating. And if God leads you to homeschool a child, it is good to trust God and do what He leads you to do.

There were ways my mother may have done things to control me, but I did make choices about when and how and if I went along with her things. So . . . I'd say he is making choices, though you may do things to influence him. And I remember that even when I have been controlled in this way or that . . . still, I was inside myself making choices and plans for when I would have control. So . . . I'm thinking he maybe has been developing to make his own choices; it isn't all on you. But if you become postively satisfied that God has shown you any errors on your part, I would just point these out to him, in case he might benefit from your sharing these things with him. But I can see the point of doing things like dishwashing, etc.

If he does dish jobs and things not so "high" in society, this can give him a chance to see the life and know the people who are in the situations where he works. This can help him to understand the lives of other people . . . the more everyday people who a lot of us would not notice. I'd say I have gotten more out of dishwashing and day labor jobs and living out with the homeless, than I ever got in college or teaching or being a medical worker trained in the Navy in their post-grad medical technology school . . . oh yes, and going out on the streets in Naples, Italy, during my military time there, and using a bilingual dictionary to learn Italian on the street. This got me with real people in their real lives, so I could take an interest personal in other people. Jesus could have done anything > Jesus spent a lot of time with people who were not considered socially important.

But I can think of one possible reason why God might not honor home schooling . . . even if it is Christian > it keeps potential missionary teenagers from going to public schools where they can reach kids from dysfuncional homes and show them that their abusive situations at home are not how things have to be, and that there is so much better.

Hiya comfy,

Thanks for your encouragement, it was appreciated. You know, i think all mothers do things, little things, to try and control the outcomes for our children; afterall, it is because we love so much and want the best.

I've heard it said that when God instructed husbands to love their wives the word for love He used was agape; but interestingly He never commanded wives to agape their husbands; that, perhaps its because we (wives and moms) agape ... naturally. Perhaps, we slightly over do in this area hmmm.

comfy said:

But if you become postively satisfied that God has shown you any errors on your part, I would just point these out to him, in case he might benefit from your sharing these things with him.

I think this is such good wisdom ... to share with your kids when you messed up. Which I did, lots ... He was our first, and thankfully, God always gives lots and lots of grace to firstborns .... most parents would agree that these are the experimental children. I believe my openness with him about my flaws (age appropriate of course) helped in bonding us and allowed the relationship to run its natural course from mother/son to mother/friend; it's also probably the reason he texts me atleast 3 times a day (which is somewhat irritating to me, as I'm not the fastest texter) LOL, I still try and keep up though. He also shares almost everything with me ... and some things I wish he didn't

comfy said

This got me with real people in their real lives, so I could take an interest personal in other people. Jesus could have done anything > Jesus spent a lot of time with people who were not considered socially important.

Yea, he is sure dealing with "real" people in their "real lives" now ... its good for him.

Bless you bro
Robyn