What about a child’s social development?

One of the greatest concerns many parents have regarding their children is their social development.

Indeed, of all the questions that could be raised, for those parents considering homeschooling their child, I cannot tell you of one objection raised more often against any other area than that of social development. Somehow we have come to believe that unless our children are constantly running around with children their own age there is a chance they will not be able to fit in to society. Is this true?

About 20 years ago I was asked this question by a certain lady as she dismissed the idea of homeschooling as just an over-zealous, knee-jerk reaction by a couple of over-protective parents. As our children were still babies, I had no answer for her at the time. But then her daughter ran away and not just once, but twice. When it was discovered that some of these friends who were supposed to help her socially were involved, all of a sudden no one was asking about social development anymore.

Quite honestly, when my wife and I decided to homeschool our children, social development was the least of our concerns. While academic achievement is very important, the Bible tells Christian parents in Ephesians 6 that we are to raise our children “in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.” This was, and continues to be, my greatest concern. I want my children growing up such that their confidence is in Jesus Christ and the truths found in the word of God. And while this is not my only concern, who out there is going to tell me that public education is truly Christian-friendly?

Bear in mind I am not saying that a good academic education cannot be had in our public schools, but I am saying that I am looking for a godly, Christian education for my children. And, if need be, I am willing to sacrifice any alleged social development needs this society feels children these days need.

Well, after nearly 20 years of homeschooling, with five out of our 11 children into college and on out into life, I am here to tell you that you do not need to worry about your child’s social development. Somewhere along the way, to God be the glory, they will get what they need. Last Friday night my family and I attended Mat-Su Community College’s graduation ceremony where my second son and fourth child graduated. Not only was he the student body president for this past semester, but he had the privilege to represent the college in Juneau for a few days with some of his classmates during the legislative session, meeting with several legislators in the process. And on top of this, he was also chosen to give the student response during the graduation ceremony. Somehow, somewhere along the way, he got what he needed.

Now, when we started out, other homeschooling families were already reporting that the great benefit of homeschooling over public education is that because children interact with adults more than they do with other children, they tend to mature much faster and their social interactions will be on more of an adult level. Hence, I am not surprised to see these same results in my own children. And I am not the first one saying this, I am just lending my voice to what homeschoolers already know. The truth is that you will become like the company you keep, and if your children spend most of their time with children they will act like children, but if they spend most of their time around adults, don’t be surprised when they behave like a young adult rather than a teenager.

But let me say also that God honors those who honor him. While there may be some homeschoolers whose primary goal is academics, most that we know are more concerned with a Christ-honoring education. As a result, God has blessed us in a marvelous way and given us what we were least concerned about, and far more.

Friends, the hope of America is a Christ-honoring education. I am here to tell you that if you will just step out in faith and provide for what your children really need, God will take care of whatever he thinks they lack.

Ron Hamman is pastor of Independent Baptist Church of Wasilla. Contact him at 357-4229 or ron.hamman@gci.net.