Michael P. Farris, Esq.
Chairman &
General Counsel

Dealing with Relatives

Volume 52, Program 5 4/23/2004

Some homeschool couples experience trouble when well-meaning relatives pass judgement on their decision to homeschool. Join Michael Farris and his pastor, Joe Holman, as they talk about standing strong when family members try to divide and conquer on this edition of Home School Heartbeat.

Mike Farris:
Joe, when a couple makes the decision to homeschool, you know, the support of extended family members would be a wonderful thing, but it's not guaranteed. How can couples keep this from driving a wedge between them?


Joe Holman:
You know, Mike, I can speak from personal experience on this because my mother retired from the public school system, and when we began to homeschool I heard every argument in the book about why we shouldn't and how bad it would be for our children. Holidays especially were always accompanied by some type of negative homeschooling statements.


You know, the pressure can be intense on a couple, especially if you're close to the ones administering the pressure. What I would recommend is what we did, and that is, the way to keep this from driving a wedge is to solidify your homeschooling decision to such a degree that there's no place for the wedge to go. And the main support of that foundation was that we knew God had called us to do it. I believe if you keep Christ as your focus, then your relatives will not distort your point of view.


Mike:
Joe, I know and understand the pressure that you've described; I've dealt with a lot of families in that situation. The dad needs to at some point in time protect the family from such pressure if it continues. Joe, thank you so much for the work that you're doing with our church and in leading your own family. I'm Mike Farris.

Homeschooling can lead to unexpected strain in a marriage. Mike Farris' book, A Sacred Foundation, addresses this subject. For ordering information, call 866-338-8614. Or visit homeschoolheartbeat.com. If you'd like to receive Home School Heartbeat's daily email transcript, visit us online at homeschoolheartbeat.com or call 866-338-8614.