What are the most hazardous attitudes in homeschooling? Perhaps we can better understand those after considering what the Federal Aviation Administration has identified as hazardous attitudes for pilots. They explain:

80% of all aviation accidents are related to human factors with the majority of accidents occur during landing and takeoff. The concept was introduced by the airline industry over 25 years ago to help decrease accidents caused by human factors….The results are clear: pilots who receive “[this]” training made 10-50% fewer judgment errors.

The FAA elaborates:

Hazardous attitudes are attitudes that negatively affect the quality of your decisions. Recognizing them is the first step in neutralizing them. There are 5 attitudes:

  • Anti-authority: Those who do not like anyone telling them what to do.
  • Impulsivity: Those who feel the need to do something, anything, immediately.
  • Invulnerability: Those who believe that accidents happen to others.
  • Macho: Those who are trying to prove that they are better than anyone else. “Watch this!
  • Resignation: Those who do not see themselves making a difference.

Here’s a list of antidotes to the 5 hazardous attitudes:

  • Anti-authority: Follow the rules. They are usually right.
  • Impulsivity: Not so fast. Think first.
  • Invulnerability: It could happen to me.
  • Macho: Taking chances is foolish.
  • Resignation: “I’m not helpless.” I can make a difference.

FAA Safety

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image credit: James H Herndon and Nicole Wolf.

I loved the succinct matching of attitude and antidote by the FAA. Nevermind the fact that it would take tremendous effort to both identify and correct these kind of deep-seated attitude issues. I like that they are trying to put words to the problems.

I couldn’t help but imagine, what would be the most hazardous attitudes of a homeschooler?

Another way of asking this question: what attitudes get in the way of succeeding with homeschooling? We can’t just copy the FAA list. For example, being “anti-authority” is actually an essential homeschooling attribute. Without this feeling, parents would choose educational status quo. After brainstorming, here’s what I came up with:

Homeschool Hazardous Attitudes:

  • Freeway Speeds: Unless we’re going 60 mph, we won’t get this all done
  • Solitary Pillar: I’m all alone and all of this depends on me
  • Not Measurable: There is no evidence of success. We don’t have a GPA or test score to guide us.
  • Look at them: That child is accomplishing more than my child!
  • Cram it in: Try to fill the day with every possible everything

Homeschool Antidotes:

  • Slow and Steady Wins the Race: Speed isn’t as important as direction and intention. Find a sustainable speed.
  • Build Community: Even though you may feel lonely, you can create a team of like-minded families to rally and support you.
  • Persistence: Recognize that homeschooling may not have immediate, visible results. Homeschoolers need to continue with their daily efforts.
  • Swim in My Own Lane: Making a comparison isn’t helpful. Focus on what I can do to help my child learn effectively.
  • Essentialism: Choose to do only what is most impactful.

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I’d love to hear from you about which attitudes have helped you continue in your homeschooling journey.