Romans 12:2
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
I often say that we should “Never compare, someone always gets hurt.” I think I first came upon that phrase listening to Focus on the Family when I had toddlers, and it’s been an important part of our family ever since.
It’s very important in homeschooling, too! We don’t WANT to be the same as a public or private school! Try to rid yourself of that standard as you think about your homeschool. Focus instead on what new things your student can learn.
This is an important message especially if you have gifted kids. With gifted children, you want to REALLY avoid a homeschool that looks like another school! The reason more and more parents of gifted children are beginning to homeschool is because there needs are often not met by public and private schools. Children that are outside of the “normal range” on one side or the other, will often get the short end of the stick with education. So don’t imitate the pattern of this world’s school. Find your own path by looking straight at your children and meeting their needs, whatever that need may be.
Learn ten strategies for educating gifted children. Take a look at our new audio course “Gifted Education at Home.”
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J W says:
Amen, amen, and amen.
One of my children is “gifted,” and the other is is “struggling.” However, each child is more than her label. They both have their own strengths and weaknesses. I know I have my black days when I fall into the comparison trap. My tendency on those black days is to value “the gifted” over “the struggling.” That’s exactly what I shouldn’t be doing because that’s not how God sees these children.
Now, let’s look at the labels themselves. “Gifted” by whose standards? “Struggling” by whose standards? Hmmmm… Could it be that I’m actually comparing them against (gasp) what public school kids their age are working on? Angels and ministers of grace defend me!!!
That’s not to say I should just slack off with my “struggling” learner. Obviously there’s work that needs to be done. But really, what it boils down to is I’m building her strengths and shoring up her weaknesses. Gee, that’s exactly what I’m doing with her “gifted” sister. So when I look at it from that perspective, I can climb out of the comparison trap.
I still have my black days, though. I am, after all, only human. That’s where God’s love, grace, and mercy come in.
October 19th, 2008 at 9:49 am
Catherine says:
Great post! My oldest is 13, and she has never been to school. But, I still fall into the comparison trap. It is particularly hard sometimes with my son who is dyslexic not to feel like we’re not doing “enough”. Then God reminds me (again) that He is God and I am not and that my kids are on loan from Him. Thanks for the good words.
Catherine
November 18th, 2008 at 7:51 am