I recognize that amongst the Christian home educating community, there is a lot of emphasis put on negative peer influence. However, I'm convinced that there are many occasions where peer influence can be a positive, confidence building experience.
Recently, Millennium was enjoying the company of a peer his age from Texas. I decided to take the older boys out for a couple hours of indoor swimming so they could expend some of their "young energy."
The Rec Center where they swam has 5 pools. Two of the pools, (the diving pool and lap swimming pool) require a swim test to be approved by a lifeguard. Although Millennium has had 3 years of Red Cross swim lessons in Tennessee, he was still apprehensive about taking this test with the possibility of failing. Until....he and his friend wanted to push themselves and take the challenge.
Needless to say, Millennium passed the test with a thumbs up from the life guard and had a GREAT TIME doing backflips and swinging jumps in the dive pool. Thats what I call positive peer influence (encouragement from a friend to take on a realistic challenge).
Recently, Millennium was enjoying the company of a peer his age from Texas. I decided to take the older boys out for a couple hours of indoor swimming so they could expend some of their "young energy."
The Rec Center where they swam has 5 pools. Two of the pools, (the diving pool and lap swimming pool) require a swim test to be approved by a lifeguard. Although Millennium has had 3 years of Red Cross swim lessons in Tennessee, he was still apprehensive about taking this test with the possibility of failing. Until....he and his friend wanted to push themselves and take the challenge.
Needless to say, Millennium passed the test with a thumbs up from the life guard and had a GREAT TIME doing backflips and swinging jumps in the dive pool. Thats what I call positive peer influence (encouragement from a friend to take on a realistic challenge).
