A Problem with the Public schools?

      I know what you're thinking: WHAT!? How on earth could there possibly be something wrong with a governemnt run, created by communists (seriously, Howard Mann, a Marxist, issued required public school attendance. As well as Hitler and Benito Marcellini, a facist, who made them required in Italy,) system!
   First off, in case you can't tell already, I have been a diehard homeschool fan for many years for many philisophical and logical reasons. For instance, homeschoolers always take it to the next level: Pajama day? Nah, try wear street clothes day. School inside when it's nice out? Nah, we crazy ones like to get stuff done outside. Socialization? Who needs people!? People are the ones who started WWII, WWI, The Peloponesian War, and...well all the others too, except perhaps those in the Redwall series. Anyways, I can't help but be a little biased when I talk the comparisons of these, so keep that in mind.
          One thing that has been brought to my attention, is the public school's constant "Encouragement Policy." Kids must be told that every thing they do regarding school is going to be worth something someday. They will probably all become president too in fact. A good policy at first glance, after all, we need to be encouraged. But like everything government, or human for that matter (believe it or not, Obama is a sinner too,) it is taken a bit too far. Kids grow up without facing the harsh reality that they are in fact sinners. And as Christians, this is something we need to not hide from kids. It is a harsh reality, but a necessary one.
     Now I'm not saying you need to tell your child anything vaguely along the lines of:
Child: Look Mommy! I made a picture of you
Mom: I'm afraid that's a but out of proportion, you see I don't have sticks for arms, and my nose has a bit more of an oval shape rather than a triangle. I'm sorry dear, but I'm afraid you'll just never be good enough.

or:

Child: Look Mommy! Mrs. Dekker gave me a star on my picture!
Mother: *Sighs* That's nice, but what does it matter? Without Jesus you are going to Hell. What Mrs. Dekker thinks is good isn't really important now is it?

    If you have a normal 6th grade and under child, they will probably not respond with some philisophical, biblically based remark. They will most likely, either, stare blankly at you and then walk off. Or cry, realize nothing will ever be good enough for you, grow a complete and utter loathing for you and/or Christ and runaway at about 14. Not exactly what you want to happen.
     Instead, a better approach may be just to let your kid know, when they perhaps hurt someone, or show signs of rebellion, let them know they are not being nice in a gentler manner. Slowly introduce the fact that no one is perfect, and that Jesus will always love them.
    Because they do not do this in the public schools, where kids get most of their influence if they go, when they hit junior high and face the cruel realization that they aren't perfect and there are people better than they are at art etc, they don't handle it as well. They go into a bit of a shock and can begin to hate themselves, the not perfect versions.
   They only encouragement approach I have also seen in churches as well. I have only ever seen it result in conceited, better than you children.
   The Bible greatly emphasizes humility. Humility is really just the understanding that without Christ, you could never be good enough. That you killed an innocent man that you can go to Heaven. It's not condemnation either (there is a fine line between condemnation and conceit that marks humility.) Just letting kids (and even yourself) know that you make mistakes, but it doesn't matter, because Jesus loves you and forgives you.

    In the end then, the public schools try to emphasize something good, and in their attempts on keeping kids from becoming depressed and such, they really cause it. Because everyone comes to the realization (some better at ignoring it than others....some WAAY better) that they are "sinners." Or in some cases, not good enough.