Dear Homeschooler,
I realize that I don’t know everything about you, but I because I was homeschooled, I do know a few things about you.
It’s likely that you’ve never ridden a school bus, eaten in a cafeteria, or had a locker. Maybe you’ve never been to prom, joined a school club, or seen a school sports game. You’ve probably never had gym class, heard the bell ring, or gotten detention.
Honestly, I enjoyed being homeschooled. I liked hanging out with my family, working at my own pace, and being taught by my mom. I enjoyed going to homeschool groups, meeting other homeschoolers, and staying in touch with them. But maybe you don’t enjoy being homeschooled like I did.
It’s Not Strange to Feel Strange
It’s normal to have trouble relating to people who aren’t homeschooled. Maybe you feel excluded when your friends from church talk about their favorite teachers. Perhaps you feel ignored when your friends at youth group discuss their tough assignments. Maybe you feel alone when your friends at work joke about their recent group projects.
But just because you feel excluded, ignored, and alone doesn’t mean that you’re less-than.
It’s not a sin to be homeschooled or not homeschooled. There’s not a one-size-fits-all in regard to schooling. Maybe your parents have simply decided that it’s best for you to be homeschooled. While that may seem like a prison sentence to you, it doesn’t have to be. Here are a few suggestions to help change your perspective about homeschooling:
1. Accept who you are and where God has placed you.
Sometimes non-homeschoolers think that if someone is homeschooled, he or she is automatically a weirdo. But don’t let others define who you are. Just be yourself. God placed you in your schooling situation for a reason, so try to embrace it.
2. Find your tribe, but don’t exclude others from it.
If possible, connect with other homeschoolers in a tutorial, co-op, or similar group. Those are great places to make friends. If your area doesn’t have a homeschool group that meets regularly, find friends through church, youth group, Awana, or another way. Just make sure you don’t exclude students who go to public school or private school.
3. Get involved in your community.
I realize that you may not be able to join a school sports team, club, or group. But that doesn’t mean that you can’t get involved in other activities. Do some research on recreational sports and local clubs that welcome homeschoolers. Join a youth group or ministry at your church. Consider finding a job or other ways to earn money in your free time.
4. Focus on the things that matter.
You may learn at a different pace than non-homeschoolers. They may be taking algebra while you’re taking geometry, or they may be learning about world history while you’re learning about U.S. history. In reality, it doesn’t matter how much you know about math, history, or any other subject—as long as you keep growing in your relationship with Jesus.
Closing Thoughts
But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen. (2 Peter 3:18 NKJV)
Homeschooler, if you ever think that you’re weird or even abnormal for being homeschooled, stop. You’re not. Being homeschooled is simply different than attending public or private school. And it’s okay to be different. Keep growing as a student and as a Christian—no matter where you go to school.
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