How to Deal with Homeschool Criticism

One would think the hardest thing about deciding to homeschool is the act teaching the child. This is far from true. In fact, dealing with homeschool criticism from friends, family, and even strangers is one of the toughest things to deal with.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Arm yourself. You can’t defend yourself in an attack on your decision to homeschool if you are not armed with extensive knowledge of homeschooling. Read everything your can find about homeschooling, the good, the indifferent and the bad. Read blogs written by other homeschoolers as well a magazines and publications. The Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) is a good place to start.
2. Listen to arguments. When you don’t have an answer or reply to an argument, just listen. Tell the person you will think about what they had to say, and get back to them later. At this point, investigate their argument for yourself. You will surely find bias in what they had to tell you that you could refute next time.
3. Develop a thick skin. People will take your decision to homeschool as a criticism on their decision to use traditional schools. Understand that they are speaking out of their own insecurities and do not take it personally.
4. Ignore. There are some people who you will not want to entertain in a debate.The stranger on the street really has not investment in your child’s education and so there is no reason to pay them any attention. When your mother-in-law corners you for the hundredth time, you know that all previous arguments have fallen on deaf ears. It is time to give up and let your child’s progress be your proof.

Tips & Warnings

• Be secure in your decision to homeschool before you start. This way criticism will not bother you as much.
• Do not arm people with information they can use against you. If you tell people who are already hostile to homeschooling that you are having a hard time, then they will surely know how to break you down.