Homeschooling

One of the challenges that seems to happen for kids- and homeschooled kids- around ten / eleven years old is the sense of fitting in. many times this will be the age that a kid who is homeschooled will ask or be curious about going to school.

This seems to happen more with girls than boys but I could be wring. there seems to be a string need to fit in and conform. I notice my oldest daughter went through this in a BIG way. Sh wanted to be around girls, talk about clothes and feel like she belonged. She asked a lot about going to school. I did think about it. I thought about reasons why she wanted to go- friendship/fellowship, fitting in, be like everyone else, etc. She felt that she would feel more “normal” of she went to school. I will say it was tempting to give it a try during some really hormonal moments. When I looked at the real issue- it was about belonging. I looked at other ways she could belong or feel a part of things.
I made an effort to see more kids and invite other homeschooled kids to our home and for sleepovers. I spent more time with my kids and made sure we hae “fun” together. I became more active in our church group and some volunteer organizations. I looked at activities we were doing that were not longer working for our family. These all helped- a lot!