Relational Method

Sometimes our relatives are the hardest to convince about our life choices.  And they are the ones who can cause the deepest wounds when they don't support our decisions.  Particularly with homeschooling they can also cause wounds in our children if they are against the decision.  Does that mean you need to wait until everyone agrees with you to homeschool?  No.  You need to do what is best for your children, the relatives with come along.

With relatives it's good to try to include them if they live nearby.  Do they have a particular talent that they can use to *teach a class in your school*?  Then ask them to take time once a week to teach your children (with you nearby).  Have your children send drawings or poems to their grandparents.  Consider doing a play for the relatives if that's part of your homeschooling.  Use you imagination to send things to your relatives as you go along with homeschooling.

Eventually, with the growth of your children, their ability to talk with adults in complete sentences, and their growing into normal people (to their amazement) will cause them to come around agreeing that homeschooling was the best choice for your family.  But that does not mean that they will agree that homeschooling is for everyone or for them.  It's amazing though, how many grandmas will drop hints to cousins that they should also homeschool their children after one part of the family is successful in homeschooling.

There is a great story called Aunt Quizzie and Cousin Snooperina by the Sheen's.  Take a moment to read this to learn ways to avoid problem with relatives.  Some will turn you in to the authorities.  But most will support you and you will be surprised what Grandmas can find at garage sales!