Our family and friends think we’re crazy - how can we prove we’re doing the right thing?

It won't be easy to convince skeptical friends and family members that you're doing the right thing to homeschool. Most of the time, their minds are already made up. Somehow, homeschooling seems to be one of those polarizing issues in which critics are unwilling to listen to reason or logic. Therefore, if you value your relationships with skeptical friends or family, you need to be careful about how you talk to them about homeschooling.

The most important thing to remember is your own reason for homeschooling. Don't let friends or family members intimidate you. Ultimately, you are responsible for your children. That means you need to stay true to your vision and convictions, even if you are harshly criticized for it by those you love. Remain steadfast, and don't give up.

Also, don't fall into the trap of trying to prove something through your homeschool. It's one thing to work for excellence; it's another thing to try to impress your critical friends. Keep your children and God's purposes for their lives at the center of your homeschool. Don't let the critics take your focus away from that vital core just so you can impress them or to somehow prove that you're right.

In the end, good results are often the best argument in your favor. Few critics will be won over by hearing statistics or success stories. But once you've homeschooled for a few years, and if it is bearing good fruit in your family's life, then the skeptics may begin to come around.