Three years ago one of my girls experienced a situation and I wrote my thoughts down.
Today I read over it and reflected on the time since then. I am thankful when I hear my children tell me they have made a positive difference for someone else.
It might not change the world, but it might just change someone's world. I hope so.
Socialization?... or is it really Character Training?
A Day-girl experienced the "real world" yesterday.
She was sewing a puppet with a group of girls and she finished quickly because she spends a good amount of time sewing at home (for pleasure). The other girls were impressed and commented on her speed using a word that the Day-girl was not sure of the meaning of. She asked what that word meant (because isn't that what you do when you don't know something??).
Girl-A laughed and said "haha she doesn't even know what that means!!" {Laughter from some other girls.}
The Day-girl was a little puzzled by this and said "If I don't know something I ask my mum and she tells me".
Now the Day-girl is good at sewing and some of the other girls are good at word meanings (it would seem) but rather than just leave it at that, some of them felt the need to belittle another person.
There are a myriad of reasons why they did that - competitiveness, jealousy, meanness, thoughtlessness... - but I wonder if it is also because our children, in the name of avoiding hurt, must actually hunt or be hunted. It is such a subtle, insidious part of society.
And so this little incident just re-enforced for me the reasons I choose to keep my children home with me in their childhood years. I want my children to have good character, really truly good godly character actually!
Some of you may argue that it is possible for children to still develop good character when they are immersed in a mud-puddle (I'm being kind here) of goodness knows what other values and "hunt or be hunted" incidents like the one above.
I agree and disagree.
I don't think that all children at school or clubs etc.. will turn out awful, as I have met many lovely people who went to school and other peer group things.
I do believe, however, that the less a child is exposed to mud the cleaner they will be, and the stronger their character will eventually be.
Don't feel sorry for the Day-girl, she is over it now because she knows she was the better person in that case. She learned what it is like to be hunted, she knows not to replicate that behaviour, and she has gained strength to stand up for others who are being hunted... good character.
She will join the ranks of her older siblings and I have joy as I see my children walking in the truth!
{Disclaimer: this is not an attack on school vs. home ed, it is about social contact in children}
~Lorna
