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NEWATTITUDE^TM
THE CHRISTIAN MAGAZINE FOR HOME SCHOOL TEENS

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This issue the Forum is unique. Instead of having a specific topic, readers are responding to the questions in a letter I received from a girl named Hannah Christie. The questions she asks are ones which every home schooling teen faces. - Editor

 

Dear Joshua,

Hi! My name is Hannah.  I’m 13.  I am going to be home schooled for high school and I have some questions.  First of all besides the fact that you get a good or better education and that you don’t have to put up with all the negatives of going to a public high school, which is it so good to home school for high school? (I’m not saying that these aren’t enough good reasons; I was just wondering if there were any more.)

Secondly, what about a social life?  I don’t go to a very big church, and there aren’t many other home schooled high schoolers in our area, and sometimes I feel a bit lonely.  Last of all, what do you do about skeptical friends and family?  For instance, I have a 14-year-old sister who seems to think I have to go to high school next year.  She and her best friend would probably give me a hard time because of my decision.  How can I keep them and others such as grandparents and friends from being skeptical and disagreeing?  If you could answer these questions I would be very grateful.

Love in Christ,
 Hannah Christie

  

Dear Hannah,

I think you will be very grateful in the future for being home schooled through high school. This is my third year of home schooling. I’m in 10th grade and I love it! Even though some days are hard, I’d rather have some hard days at home then have hard days every day at public school.

 For me, home schooling is preparing me for life. Not only am I learning grammar, math, etc., I’m learning to be the person God wants me to be. If I realize I have a problem in a certain area such as a bad attitude, I have time to work it out because I’m home. Also, home schooling has given me more self-confidence because I don’t have to worry about peer pressure.

 My social life is not extremely exciting. But God has given me contentment with the few friends I have. Writing letters to friends makes me feel less lonely, too.

 As I reflect on these last three years, I see eternal value in my choice of home schooling.

 Sincerely,
Aimee Roy

  

Dear Hannah,

When we first started home schooling, my grandparents were very skeptical. We went ahead and did work that made them proud. They have nothing against it now. Just show your family and friends that you are the same person you were before. I hope everything works out for you.

 In Christ,
Catherine Shaw

  

Dear Hannah,

I’m 15, home schooled, and happy. I read your letter and thought of myself. In 8th grade 1, like you, made the decision to stay home even though I had several educational opportunities.

 I have come up with some solutions for my case and so I thought I would share this information with you. First, with home schooling there is a lot of flexibility. This applies to many areas. For example, you could take the time to do some volunteer work at your library or get a part-time job with hours that start before school gets out. It also allows you to study things in depth that in a classroom you might have to jump right over. Second, my father just started a church and it is quite small, but I still have a social life. An idea could be to get involved with extra-curricular activities at you town’s high school. Different towns allow different amounts of “outside” participation. If your town approves of your. home schooling, you are technically a student; so go out for a spot on the newspaper or a part in the upcoming play!

 I pray these things will spur your creativity! The only other thing I’ll add is that you should be prepared for the problems that are bound to come up at one time or another. I pray that you enjoy your high school years!

 In Christ,
Jenna Colleen

 

Dear Hannah,

My name is John, and I’m a 14-year old home schooler in the 9th grade. I am planning to home school through high school, and 1 think it is a wise for you to do the same. Besides getting a good education, you are not exposed to the peer pressure of the high school and are then able, in my sentiment, to do work better and get better grades.

Although I go to a church that has no kids my age, I have lots of home schooled friends my age. I have joined the Civil Air Patrol to meet more kids and to have an educational kind of fun. If I were in your situation, I would join something that would appeal to my interest: Civil Air Patrol, 4-H, etc.

Hannah, if you think you’re making the right decision home schooling, then you can have confidence in yourself and tell your sister, friends, and grandparents to stop tantalizing you.

John Pike, II

 

Dear Hannah,

My name is Erin. I’ve prayed and asked the Lord how He would have me respond to the questions in your letter.

First of all, what are some advantages of home schooling? Well, here are a few of mine: more time to spend with the Lord and family; you don’t have to get up quite as early; you can have a more flexible schedule and go on field trips that are of interest to you.

As for your question about your social life, I have to say that I also have trouble in this area. I would suggest finding and joining a support group and /or getting 2 or 3 pen pals of your age. Especially socialize with Jesus; you could never have a better friend than Him.

Sincerely,
Erin

 

Christians & Music— Is any music okay as long as its message is good? What is your opinion of contemporary Christian music? Is it right. or wrong? Who do you listen to? We want everybody’s view. ATIA students, I want to hear from you! Remember this is the Forum-your chance to tell the rest of us what you think. Maximum length 400 words.

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