Homeschool

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Arming Yourself to Face Criticism

How do you respond when people around you don’t understand the challenges of homeschooling? Today on Home School Heartbeat with HSLDA President Mike Smith, speaker, author, and homeschooling mom Zan Tyler talks about how to deal with outside criticism.
Mike Smith:Zan, homeschooling moms have to deal with more than just their own feelings of inadequacy. How can they respond to the criticism they get from others?
Zan Tyler:Mike, yesterday we talked about the need for moms to build a powerful support system for themselves. This not only encourages them on the hard and depressing days—which we all have—it’s also the best way to equip ourselves to respond to criticism in a powerful and non-defensive manner.
Today I want to focus on the importance of moms educating themselves. We need to surround ourselves with informative and inspiring books on home education. I've been in the publishing industry now for five years and now work for Apologia Educational Ministries, because I believe in the power of good books and self-education. As the great nineteenth century preacher Charles Spurgeon said, “My books are my tools. They are also my counsel, my consolation, and my comfort, the source of wisdom, and the font of my education.” As Jeff Myers puts it, “Readers are leaders.” And there’s no more powerful way to educate ourselves and set an example for our children than to continue learning.
And then sometimes, we just have to be patient. As our children grow older, the fruit born in their lives academically, spiritually, and socially often speaks so loudly it silences the harshest critics.
Mike:Zan, those are some good reminders. And until next time, I’m Mike Smith.