Homeschooling...
Why would anyone want to do that?
What makes me think that I am qualified to teach my children anything?
Well... they might turn out weird! Unsocialized!
When they hit the real world... they will just fall to pieces!!
If you have been teaching your children at home for any length of time, you have heard something like this. It may be from friends, people at church, your workplace, or unfortunately your family.
If you are just embarking on this road, then I can assure you that the questions and naysayers will come, by the droves.
Do not be discouraged!
A little background. I went to public school K-12. I didn' know anyone that home schooled, nor did I even realize that it was an option. My husband went to a Christian School K-12. We did not start out with a determination to homeschool. In fact we had all intentions of putting our son into the same Christian School my husband attended. But, my son had different ideas. He wanted to be home schooled. We went and visited the kindergarten class he would be attending, but he remained firm. My husband was the one who said, "We can do this at home." This teacher isn't doing anything we can't." And so the journey began... I am so glad we did, and I don't regret it one bit. Now in our 10th year, the journey continues.
I can not give the reasons that others homeschool, but I can give you ours. I get asked questions all the time, sometimes they are from people that are really seeking answers, they really want to know. Other times it is because they are just being nosy, or feel that it is their right to state their opinion. At first the snide remarks bothered me, and sometimes they still do. But, they made me stop and take inventory. Why do we homeschool?
1. There is no one on Earth that knows our children better then we do. We have 7 children with 7 completely different personalities. If we have that kind of diversity in one family (with the same parents) what is it like in a classroom at school? We can give each one of our children a unique education built just for them. If they are excelling in one area, we can provide them ways to dig deeper and go farther. If they are struggling, we can provide them the extra support they need. We can do this without having to wait on the rest of the group.
And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shall talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.
Deuteronomy 6:7
2. It is very hard to put this verse into practice if we don't see our children for 6 hours a day, 5 days a week.
The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God.
Psalm 14:1
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Proverbs 1:7
3. You might be thinking... Well! So you are going to hide them in your house and not let anyone else come into contact with them! Not at all. I do not play the piano. But, my son wants to take piano lessons. There are many teachers out there, but my husband and I can choose the teacher we feel best suits our son. This can be applied to any learning situation. God has given us the responsibility for our children.
Keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called: Which some professing have erred concerning the faith.
1 Timothy 6:20
4. This world can be a crazy, sinful place. As parents, we need to shape our children's worldview, not the world. We need to help those little roots to become strong, giving them support, so when they are older they will have the foundation they need. (Note here: We can give our children the best, but at the end of the day, they still have to make their own decisions.)
Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
Psalm 1:1-3
5. Academic Excellence. Study after study has shown the results of homeschooling. I will let you do the research if you are so inclined. You may be asking, "But how can this be? Those teachers in school have gone to college! They have training and you don't!" You are right, there are some amazing teachers out there. They are wonderful with children and they want the best for their students. But, do they want what God wants? As a teacher being payed by the Board, God is not permitted in their classroom.
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God.
Romans 12:2
6. Lastly, I enjoy my children. My husband and I see our role as parents as a journey. A long one. Just because our child turns 5, doesn't mean we are ready to give over the reigns. Yes, you have all heard horror stories about a relative that tried this homeschooling thing and it was a disaster. But, this is not the norm. There are days that are crazy. There are subjects that are hard. But God will not call us to do something and not give us the tools to accomplish it. We are grateful for this time. It goes so quickly, we want all the time we can get to prepare them for whats to come, as best we can.
Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.
Psalms 127:1
I know there are many different people reading this. Some do not homeschool, some would like to, and others just feel they can't for various reasons. My goal of this post was not to make you feel bad or upset, but to share with you our decision. At the end of our time we will each stand before The Almighty...alone. We will not be judged on what someone else did or didn't do. He will judge us on what WE did or didn't do. The decisions you make for your family must be between you, your husband and God. If you are unmarried, then seek counsel that is Godly. If you have any questions, please email me or leave them in the comment section, I would love to hear from you. Why do you or why don't you homeschool?
Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Finally, brethern, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Phillipians 4:6-8
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