We focus a lot on parental rights when we talk about homeschooling—a parent’s right to choose the educational experience of their children.
It’s important to remember that our kids have rights, too. They have a right to an education that even includes viewpoints we don’t hold and subjects that are difficult for us.
In fact, our chief obligation as home educators is to ensure that our children are well equipped for the wide variety of people, experiences, academics, and careers they will encounter as adults. We have a responsibility to prepare them proactively—not defensively.
A homeschool veteran/reading specialist once told me that the main task of homeschooling parents is to not limit their children. Hire that math tutor in high school to do the precalculus you can’t do. Give your kids the opportunity to act in a theater company with kids of other political and religious backgrounds.
Be not afraid!
Our task isn’t to protect our children from the world, but to prepare them to be active participants in it. Our task is to help our kids think for themselves, not think our thoughts.
Will you get it wrong sometimes? I know I did. The good news is that as you learn, you can make better choices. Listen to your kids. Also pay attention to what most people their age know and understand so that you make sure your kids also know and understand, as well.
The adult homeschooled kids who are the most upset about their educations are the ones who felt unprepared for the world—out of step, under educated, poorly informed, used in the family business instead of being taught academics.
Children deserve to have a “liberal feast of ideas” (Charlotte Mason) plus all the relevant cultural touchstones needed for flourishing.
We get to make that happen!
[The image above is of the Bogart kids when young.]
