Suitable Friends

©Millie McNabb

One of the most challenging aspects of raising children was developing suitable friends. Before we started homeschooling, the girls were around more children in public school, but many times efforts to get together were one-sided. One daughter evaluated the situation and decided there wasn’t anyone she wanted to spend that much time with—and I agreed with her decision.

There’s a difference between being surrounded by others, and having a relationship with someone suitable. “The man gave names to all the cattle, and to the birds of the sky, and to every beast of the field, but for Adam there was not found a helper suitable for him.” (Genesis 2:20)

Lack of “socialization” is one of the charges leveled at homeschoolers. We teach our children within our homes to develop relationships. We teach our task-oriented children how to interact with others. (An effective technique for them is to “interview” others.) We teach them discernment about choosing suitable friends. We teach them love and compassion for others, even if they are not suitable friends.

Church and other homeschool families generally provided more like-minded relationships. As teenagers, the girls tended to develop relationships with adults in the church, rather than their “silly” contemporaries. Now as adults, they have one or two close friends, and relate well to a number of people.

Do you have any “suitable friends” stories to share?

God bless….
Millie McNabb, founder of Christian Values Legacy, offers parenting seminars that focus on passing on your Christian values. Request your free report “Considerations for Intentionally Raising Children to Become Christian Adults” today at www.ChristianValuesLegacy.com.