Need some encouragement!

[happyhomeschooling]

I know everyone has delt with being "mocked" at one time or another about homeschooling by nay saying friends and family, but I just recently had
a conversation with some friends of mine, ( I know they thought it was all in good fun, but it stuck in my craw) they were talking about
the sports ect. that their kids were in at public school and commenting on how one of the kids might someday get a scolorship for his atheletic
abilities.
I (thinking out loud) said, I wonder if it is possible to get a scolorship into a college when you are homeschooled. This is where
the not so fun part of the conversation took place, they laughed and said "ya, you can say she is the top of her class haha, and that she
is the best in all of your athletic programs haha, and she ace's all the sceince projects above the other students haha".

Well I laughed it off not wanting to take myself to serously, but the more I thought about it the more it botherd me, then I started to doubt my desicion to homesschool. I started to wonder am I doing a diservice to my child, will she be able to go to a good college if she wanted too? Am I keeping her from opprotunity? My dd is in k using LHFHG, and we its going well and we love it, and this is what we feel God has called our family to do. We just joined our local homeschooling associaton but have not been to any functions as of yet, it will probably help to be around other like minded people. If any one has any encouraging words to say about the opprotuinities that await home schooled kids when they graduate
I would love to hear it. Then maybe I will be more equiped to stand my ground and feel more confidant in my own heart.
Blessings, Lesley

[crlacey]

Your DD might not get an athletic scholarship, but there are other scholarships available out there. In my very small hometown local companies and organizations offered a range of different scholarships. And while I haven't actually looked, I've been told that there are a whole host of scholarships available that are listed on the internet.

As far as other comments go, I just remember all the other great opportunities that my kids have that others don't have. My kids enjoy being home playing while their friends are still sitting in school. They love going on vacation while their friends are in school. They love doing all the cool projects and learning about God. Just remember, you are doing what is best for your family. Hang in there.

[BusyBeez]

Hi Lesley,

That confidence which you are lacking will come over the years!! Our oldest, who was home schooled for 9 years, is now in college and doing great! She was just awarded an academic grant which is paying for her entire tuition this upcoming year. Our next child is starting his senior year of high school, and has his academic direction all planned out.

Some home schoolers are working together to coordinate athletic teams; in our area, there are soccer, volleyball, basketball, and cheerleading teams which are comprised entirely of home schooled students. Our children have not been as interested in athletic areas as they have been in other endeavors; they have won music competitions (with cash prizes), auditioned and earned seats in the orchestra, won grand champion at the state fair, etc. There are many areas where our children can excel, and you will be able to give your daughter these opportunities as the years go on.

Ask the Lord to give you confidence and steadfastness in the ministry He has called you to! This verse has helped and encouraged me many times over the years: II Corinthians 4:1 "Therefore, since through God's mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart."

I would also suggest that you surround yourself with other home school Moms and families. Seeing others live out their lives in the same way that you are will be a great encouragment. Your daughter will also have fun opportunities within a group setting: art lessons, spelling bees, Pizza Hut book-it, field trips, etc. These types of experiences help to build your confidence that she is not missing out on anything, and will add to her enjoyment and help to give a well-rounded home school experience.

Blessings,
Ellen

[holyhart]

Also many public schools or private schools will allow homeschooled children to participate in their sport activities...varies from school to school from what I understand.

I posted about this not all that long ago actually. I read a book that really helped me called "So...Why Do You Homeschool?" by Mimi Davis ( http://www.amazon.com/So-WHY-Do-You-Hom ... 309&sr=8-1 ). It breaks down all the most common and some perhaps not so common questions you or your family/friends may have about home education and it's benefits...including info on scholarships and athletics. It also give a large list of famous people who have been homeschooled that I thought was interesting.

But most importantly you need to remember if God has called you to it, then He certainly isn't doing it to withhold from your child. His plan may be different than you might currently think (about the future) but it is for good.

[Teena6]

first (I type this and then lost it) my son is 23 was hs-ed since 1st grade and he graduated cum laude (honors). He now works in admissions at the college and is planning on church planting. He received scholarships all through college and owes NOTHING . do not worry about college

second it would be good for you to join a local support group. I have been in our's for 18 yrs ... I am president of our group for the second time. We get together at the park, field trips, christmas caroling, christmas party, valentine party, harvest fest, mom's night out. IT would be good for your children to be around other hs-ed children (NOT ALL THE TIME ) and you to have some fellowship with like minded moms

third........ people are always going to say stuff. my mom, dad, sister, aunt, grandmother ALL THOUGHT I WAS NUTS. My aunt even told me that my children would grow up and think that we were the LOW LIFES of this earth But my son thinks I am great my DIL says she wants to hs their children (they do not have any yet)..... and she was an only child and ps. Someone came into her work a couple weeks ago and was bad mouthing hs-ing she said "hey, my brothers/sisters are hs-ed and it isn't a bad thing!" I texted her this morning and told her that Wyatt sounded out the word "B-A-T" SHE was so excited.

you keep on keeping on...... God will continue to give you grace. IT IS A GIFT TO HS OUR CHILDREN. I am so blessed. YOU are too.

blessings,
Teena mom to 1/2 dozen

[Teena6]

oh and I say "not all the time" b/c I want my children with me. We limit how much they are with friends. They do have friends. My 15 yr old plays drums for our youth praise band. We do not DO everything that our hs group has. You can pick and choose.

my favorite times through the years were spent at the park with 3-4 other moms and all our children running around making life time friends. Us sharing about what works doesn't work, what struggles, what victories, etc.

HUGS

[happyhomeschooling]

Thank you for the encouragement, I really needed to hear (or read) everything you all had to say. I thought I was pretty cofident about
our desicion, until these recent comments, and I really started doubting myself , I knew I needed like minded people to reel me back in
I needed to know that others had gone down this road and their kids still had the same opprotunities as ps kids(or better).
Thanks everyone!!!