by Nan Keltie

Created on: January 12, 2010

One of the challenges some parents face is how to win over reluctant relatives. While it's natural to want the approval and support of our family members, words alone won't convince them. 

Show, don’t tell -

During the first few weeks of school, put all other concerns aside and focus on your commitment to educate your children.  You will be investing quality time with them, and during that time, they will automatically grow and develop as individual students.  

Expand your education beyond textbooks: Read aloud together, memorize poetry, and spend time in libraries and  museums.  Take nature hikes, do science projects at home, and give your kids time to be creative with art and music.  These hands-on methods help develop the mind and prepare it for absorbing textbook studies.  What children experience in concrete (tangible) form now is easier to understand in the abstract (conceptual) form later.

To defeat the "socialization" argument, expose your children to people of all ages.  Within your own family there is most likely a wide variety of ages.  If not, look for ways to interact with other age groups. Visit lonely senior citizens or "adopt' a nursing home resident.  Babysit for a young mother, giving her a break and giving your teen experience with little people.  Get involved in community events: Volunteer at your local library, a soup kitchen, and/or Habitat for Humanity.   

Eventually, time will tell the real story.  As your children excel in their subjects and grow as individuals, you won't have to tell others home school works.  It will be obvious your kids are doing just fine.

Tap their talents -

Are the reluctant relatives good at something your children could learn?  If so, approach them about teaching your children how to do a specific thing, like baking bread, quilting, sculpting or painting, grooming horses, planting corn, building birdhouses, etc.

Remind your children that skills demand concentration, so they shouldn’t interrupt a dozen times to ask questions.  First, they should listen and observe and not get “in the way.”  If they are polite and appreciative, they will soften the hearts of reluctant relatives.  As they ask good questions, their host or hostess has time to interact, share their knowledge and explain the steps involved in a project. 

Be sure to take photos of the process (ask permission first) and take

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