High School

My son is 14 and will be entering 9th grade. I have been homeschooling for about 5 years now...

He does not have 'many' friends. We have moved numerous times, and now we are settled. I can see that he is trying to make a social life for himself.

I asked him why he wants to go to school- all of his answers relate to having friends. The city we are in is- how should I say...horrible. The pubic high school is not so great. I see the teens here- many young girls have babies, the boys run the streets all times of the night, etc.

My kids are 'cherubs' [innocent] compared to some of the street smart kids of today. They do not have the minds nor the 'fashion' to keep up.

I am struggling with fear- fear that I may ruin his life. That he may end up resentful and bitter- all because 'mommy wouldn't let me go.'

Yet- I have a vision for my children. So I thought. Until I started listening to my fears and looking at what everyone else is doing- then I started to change my plans...

Any good advice? encouragement? I need an uplifting and a reminder as to why I homeschool....

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Tags: fear, high, homeschool, school, teenager

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Permalink Reply by Carla W. on July 18, 2008 at 4:46pm: Hi Mother Hen -

I love your name:) You sound just like me (lol)! The best advice I can give you is to pray about it. If it's social interaction that your son wants, then ask the Lord to lead you to some safe social settings that he can participate in. Hold on to the vision you have for your children and remind yourself of the reason you decided to homeschool in the first place. The Lord is faithful and you know that He will fix it.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Mother Hen on July 18, 2008 at 7:30pm: Thanks. Your words brought a rest to my heart...; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Gail on July 21, 2008 at 1:09am: A great book: Morning by Morning: How we homeschooled our African American sons to the Ivy League.

Her boys hated every minute of homeschooling, but she stuck with it, with great results.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Mother Hen on July 21, 2008 at 6:31am: I'll check it out. I have not seen any information on African American adults who were homeschooled.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Carletta on July 21, 2008 at 10:55pm: I agree that you should pray. The Lord can provide you with opportunities for positive social interaction for your son. You are NOT going to ruin him. You're saving him. He is not old enough or wise enough to understand that yet, but you are. If the schools in your area are as you described, you're doing the right thing.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Mother Hen on July 22, 2008 at 6:55am: I have just moved here a year and a half ago. I am familiar with this city- but not the schools. When my husband and I asked around- we did not get a good response about the schools.

I started to think about how you said I will not ruin him but save him. When God holds certain things back from us we sometimes think He is ruining us, when He is only trying to save us from things we are not wise enough to understand...

Thank you. Sometimes I forget how Sovereign He is and that He is able to work out any situation on my behalf.

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Permalink Reply by Pedenia on July 27, 2008 at 6:52pm: Hi Mother Hen, I agree with others, prayer is always needed. How about signing your son up for sport activities at the local YMCA or community center in your neighborhood (make mention your son is a homeschooler-a potential student discount). Churches have activities too for young folks. Join your neighborhood homeschool organization. Check out private area schools that cater to homeschoolers can find out about their homeschool activities. I only attend these that are diverse not one sided if you know what I mean. Best of luck!!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Mother Hen on July 28, 2008 at 12:44pm: Thank you for the suggestions. I'll look into what this community has to offer. I know there are a lot of programs- I just don't know where to start looking...; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Susan Chambers on July 28, 2008 at 4:35pm: Mother Hen,
I too have the same issue with my 12 year old son.
I have him in basketball, church activities, and he plays with the neighborhood children. I guess for children, the grass is always greener on the otherside too, because he wants to go to school as well. But, the Lord knows better and I do to. So, I am sticking with it.
By the way, he doesn't like to eat his vegetables either...; ▶ Reply to This