| Homeschool Programs need to adapt to the changing | | | | personalities and priorities. As parents, some of us will |
| parent/ young teen relationship as your young children | | | | show a renewed vigor towards more child discipline, |
| begin to get older. As soon as you seem to feel | | | | while other parents will lean towards trying to reason |
| respected as not just a parent but as a real teacher, | | | | with the child as if they were already a young adult. |
| your children begin to discover their own unique | | | | Perhaps a combination of both approaches would pay |
| identities. As your children transition from middle school | | | | the most dividends as your homeschool program |
| age to that of young teens, often their view of | | | | progresses. |
| themselves as individuals and their view of you as their | | | | One approach to this might be to embrace their new |
| parent may change. You may find that they still | | | | found interests and incorporate these into your lesson |
| respect you as teacher but they may start to grow | | | | plans. Adapt your teaching to include discussions of |
| apart from you in the parental role to which you have | | | | their friends and relationships. After all, you want to |
| both been accustomed. | | | | provide your children with a quality education, and that |
| Children react differently to this stage of life, with some | | | | includes the life lessons that they would have been |
| showing a continued view of respect and cooperation | | | | learning with a more standard school environment. |
| while others may show growing discontent to the | | | | You might want to also reevaluate any homeschool |
| entire learning environment. We can all remember | | | | software that you are currently relying on to make |
| what it is like to become a young teenager. Friends | | | | sure that it fits with the changing needs of your |
| may become the priority over class and it can prove | | | | children. You may be able to find some additional |
| frustrating to you as a teacher in dealing with this | | | | software suited for their age group to help you hold |
| change. You will always find yourself better able to | | | | their interest and keep them hungry for more class |
| handle your child's life changes if you understand the | | | | time. |
| situation and recognize and embrace the change. You | | | | If you can adapt your homeschool program to your |
| cannot stop the progression of time or the fact that | | | | children as they age, you both will be better served. |
| your children are growing up! | | | | They will hopefully continue to respect you as a great |
| Your children are beginning to become more | | | | teacher and parent, while you will continue to have the |
| independent, so you need to find ways as a teacher | | | | benefit of interaction with them on a daily basis that |
| and parent to show respect to their changing | | | | most parents do not have the privilege of enjoying! |