Should I Send Him to School?
Dear Mark,
Thank you for coming to speak at our conference.
I could see myself in how you described your parenting style and relationship with your son.
My oldest son is only 8. We've been homeschooling all along. He is a mirror image of me: personality, words, actions, temper, anger...I feel God has changed me very much but I also feel despair that the damage (yelling at him, punishing too harshly, too much pressure/expectations) I've inflicted on him has made a lasting impression.
My question is, is homeschooling a wrong choice for us? Keeping him at home where we hurt each other? I guess, is school the lesser of two evils? will time away from each other possibly help? Are there cases where school is the better choice?
I bought many of your tapes and am making my way through the seminars. I really expect God to help me through gaining understanding and learning more about my mistakes and how to heal.
I really thank you from my heart for your example and encouragement and teaching.
May God bless our families as we strive to honor Him.
Counselor's Response:
It would NOT be better to send him to school. This would be too easy for you!! This would not require you to change. Let's get going and practice the steps that lead to change—real change—genuine change. Cry out to God as soon as you are in the midst of conflict; Admit wrong, (Agree quickly with your adversary Mt. 5), Humble yourself (or God will do it for you); Practice the beatitudes, otherwise known as the eight blessings. Have you heard me talk about these blessings before?
Understanding the problem is a huge step forward. You can do this. Become the mom that God has designed you to be and will give you the grace to become. Your son needs you. You can provide the essential foundation that will help him become an honorable young man. Let me know how I can help. Have you read Ishmael or Hidden Hand yet?
Mark
PS - I probably already recommended reading Let Go by Fenelon, but if not, you must read this. Did you read his book on parenting? These tools with give you clear insight and direction.
