I recently heard from Karen, who asked some great questions that I haven’t addressed yet on my blog.
- Why did you choose to homeschool?
- What do you love about homeschooling…and what is really challenging?
- How do you budget for it?
- Do you worry about your kids being ready academically for high school/college?
- Do you participate in any social or sports groups that extend the opportunity for the boys to meet others?
- How do you design your curriculum? Do you do the pre-packaged stuff or customize your own?
What a great list of questions… Can’t believe I haven’t written about them yet. :)
Today, I’ll answer the question of WHY we homeschool.
Homeschooling was not something Matt and I gave much thought to when our first two boys were little. Asa was four, Justus was one and a half and we had another baby on the way. It seems our days were full of diapers and toys and tantrums and just making it until bedtime in one piece.
At that time, we only had a few months before Asa was to start kindergarten. People began asking us where he would go to school or if we were going to homeschool him. Our answer was to shrug and simply say, “Hmm, we don’t know yet.” We really did not have any strong convictions one way or the other.
Just before Elias was born, I began to read Creative Correction, by Lisa Whelchel. Call me dense, but before reading that book I was just kind of floating along and trying to keep my kids clean and fed and happy and well behaved (and keep myself sane). All good things. I had just not given a lot of thought yet to their character training and the fact that raising children wasn’t just about taking them to church and working to teach them to be “good”. Lisa’s book opened my eyes to the magnitude of the wonderful task Matt and I had before us.
God began to work on my heart to teach me what that might look like.
Right after Elias was born, I kept thinking over and over: God gave us three boys. Boys. Three of them. Why? What was God’s plan? (Of course I had no idea that there would be a fourth boy!)
I suddenly felt very strongly convicted (whacked over the head). God gave us three boys so that we could raise three godly leaders for his church.
And eighteen years didn’t quite seem like a long enough time to instill in them all the truths that we needed to instill in them.
We made the decision at that point to homeschool them. The biggest reason? Time.
Time to be together. Time to train. Time to learn. Time to talk. Time to listen. Time to hold. Time to work. Time to just be.
Since making that decision, we have never one time questioned that we were doing the right thing for our family. God has shown us in countless ways through the years that our choice to homeschool our kids was the right one.
So, that’s our story.
Let me say that again…that’s OUR story. This is what God convicted US to do. I never, ever want to sound like we think we’re better parents because we homeschool. It’s what we’ve chosen because when God whacks you over the head, it’s always a good idea to listen. And so we did.
The end. :)
I’ll plan to answer more of the above questions during the next several weeks. Feel free to write more of your questions in the comment section!
I’d love for you to share how God has convicted you in this area. What has God led your family to do in regard to your children’s education? If your kids aren’t school age yet, what are some of your thoughts for the future? Please everyone, keep your comments kind and non-condemning, okee-dokee?
tarena says
what a great topic!
this was our first year homeschooling! we have all really enjoyed it! it took God a few years to convince me to try it. now i wish we had started earlier!
we are using sonlight curriculm as i knew with having 4 kids in less than 5 years, that I would need something prepared for me…we are going to get the next set and work through the summer too!
i also read creative correction a few years ago…it was a really encouraging book too. Long, but that just means that it had that many great ideas…I should read it again…we have a long road ahead of us with character!
Can’t wait to hear the next posts on this!
blessings!
Cynthia says
Thanks for sharing your answer to that, and I look forward to reading your answers to the other questions! I too want the time with my children. I sometimes feel overwhelmed when I think about all the things that we want them to learn and develop. As you said, 18 years just doesn’t seem like long enough, but we’re going to do the best we can!
Margaret Johnson says
I have two daughters and have always wondered if would have been a better alternative to home school. Instead, I put my passion into creating quality computer games that provide children the power to conquer really hard real life things – like creative expression and reading comprehension. Our first game is ItzaBitza (http://www.ItzaBitza.com).
Could you see it as being part of a homeschool curriculum?
thank you and best,
Margaret – CEO, Sabi
Serenity Summers says
I loved hearing your story :) When my husband and I got married we planned to be a two income, two kiddo, private school family… After my son was born I read Bringing up Boys and it “whacked me over the head” LOL! Matthew was just a few months old and I told my husband right then, “we are going to homeschool!” He just smiled and said he had been praying that I would change my mind… Seven years later we are in our third year of homeschooling and I LOVE it! It’s challenging with FOUR little kiddos but so worth it. If our original plan had worked and we sent the kiddos to private school that would have been fine as well… But I believe homeschooling is what God wants for our family :)
Laura Lou says
Until Christ was made known to me, I didn’t even want children–ever, but, thereafter, I knew I wanted to smear and smother each of my children with His love, and figured the best way to do it was by engaging them everyday, heart in hand; home-school just happened to fit the bill. It wasn’t until much later that I realized character training is inbred-cousin to warm and fuzzy love!!
Dana says
Great reasons! For me, the conviction came after starting. I agreed to “try” and ended up falling in love with homeschooling.
Shanon L Fowler says
I enjoyed reading your post on this!! I have been whacked over the head a few times myself! LOL
We chose to homeschool at first out of absolute fear! Fear of what was going on in the public school system. Our son was in Kindergarten and I started hearing stuff on Christian Radio, & a lot of people at our Church homeschooled. We made the decision when he was in 1st grade to homeschool, so after Christmas break, we didn’t send him back. :) … As we grew in the Lord (we were just barely new Christians), we knew were supposed to teach our children at home all the way through. I love the fact that our foundation was God’s Word and we got to choose what was being taught to them every day. I love the fact that they could work at their own pace & we could review if we needed to & move on if they got it. My husband is a public school teacher & we followed his schedule so we had a lot of time together as a family. :)
Steph says
This is my first year homeschooling and I love it as well. My son is in the third grade and last year at school, he was getting ahead in math, at least 2-3 pages ahead of the class, but his teacher kept telling him he wasn’t allowed to do that. Not allowed to learn. And he actually needed more help with his reading. I love it that he can excel when he’s good at something and spend extra time on things he needs more help with. My second oldest is in K and my youngest is in pre-K. We have fun with our learning. It really is a great thing.
Jill Roper says
About 29 years ago I felt convicted to homeschool, long before it was the thing to do, trust me. My daughter was only 2 at the time. I had to patiently wait though for another 8 years before my precious hubby felt convicted to. Since that day we have homeschooled. We are like the energizer bunny, we just keep going and going and going :) Character building was at the top of the list. I just did not feel I could build the solid foundation for a lifetime of service to the Lord in only a couple of hours a day. TIme, time and more time. Plus, I really think my kids are cool and I didnt want to miss being away that many hours a day. In fact, just yesterday our youngest son Josiah was telling me this really funny story as I was making lunch and we were both laughing our heads off and I once again thanked GOd that I could be home to be with them.
But, in just 4 years I would have finished high school for the last time. All of them will be gone. I didnt want to waste a moment!
Barbara says
Hubby and I both went to a Christian school and that is what we planned to do with our children. We were actually against homeschooling because we were afraid our children would have a problem socializing. (Ha! they are 8 years old and can talk your head off no matter what age or gender you are!!!) We wanted more children, but God in His perfect wisdom blessed us with only 2 – twins! It all came so naturally for me – they ate every 2 hours for 10 months, I filled the time with talking, reading and singing. By the time they turned 2 years old, they were talking clearly, they could spell their names, they knew every tool in the toolbox — stuff like that. I got K-4 homeschool curriculum when they were 3 because they were begging to go to school! We just kept progressing and when I realized that it was time to “officially” send them to school, they were 2 grades ahead of the other kids their age. God instilled a love in my heart – a love of teaching my children and loving my children – I wasn’t about to send them away! I love the flexibility of everything. When my son wanted to dive into learning about the Titanic – we did! When my daughter wants to write stories and poems – we do!
Julie in Australia says
I admire the energy, strength and commitment of homeschool families. I have three children all of whom are very intelligent and attend our local school. Consequently they are a challenge in terms of their desire to learn. I almost find myself homeschooling them in addition to their regular school work (with a lot of help from the internet to answer some of the more complex questions). I enjoy seeing their interest and curiosity turn onto knowledge and confidence.
My question to Laura and all other home schooling Mums is when do you find time to do things for yourself. Do you fit this into the school week or wait for hubby to get home? I find that I benefit when I have a few hours of child free time in reards to my patience and self control. How do you achive this? In fact do you find that it i something you need or just cope without?
Thanks
Julie
Sonja says
Well, I guess I will be the first odd man out. Our kids go to public school. Our oldest is a fifth grader, #2 is in K, #3 is in pre-k and #4 just wishes he could do what everyone else is doing. I do have to admit we are not happy with the system and plan to send our kids to Catholic school after this year. Our choice for a religious education is simple. The morals and values that we hold at our home are being challenged every day while they are away from us. Our children have been taught to stick up for people and to not be focused on worldly things like fashion and the latest tv program, and #2 has come home on numerous occasions with attitude and comments that were unbecoming while trying to imitate her peers. We also have spoken to other parents who’s daughter wanted to defend a special needs student by saying God made everyone different, and was told by the teacher she may NOT talk about God in school. Talk about a “wack”! We also feel the school has failed our oldest on an academic level. In second grade we were told that he would be “serviced in the classroom”. Boy, if I knew then… I am already feeling a sense of peace knowing that next year will be different.
vehement flame says
I went to public school as a child and hated every moment of it. Way back then I knew that if I ever had babies of my own I would be their teacher. I have always been convicted that my blessings are my responsibility. I also feel that “education” must come from the basis of truth. Truth is the Word of God. His word must be the basis period. Anything else is falsehood and a lie.I would highly suggest to anyone reading “when you rise up” by RC Sproul Jr. He has a discussion about the basis of “public” education. It’s history is rich with persons out to destroy families…I totally agree with what you say about time. 18 years is so short. ..Accrding to a book I like by a mennonite publisher you only have until they are about 5 to set them straight! I have a million questions for you about what you do for home ed…but later. It’s funny you posted this. As we are heading in to ur final units for the year I am already checking things out for next year. Al I would say to any mom is if your heart wrenches every time you send your baby out the door….that is because they belong home with you!!! Teach them to read, teach them to write, show them some math, give them good books- but most of all show and share with them Christ and his love- there is not an educatinal system in this world that can conquer that!
Tess says
I’m even more of an “odd man out” because I’m a teacher in a Catholic school here in Brisbane, Australia and I love my job. My two boys attend my school and I know that for the most part the work done by my colleagues is of a very high standard. We’re not entirely happy with my eldest son’s teacher this year but that’s the first time things have been less than ideal. he needs more challenges but I am confident that I can provide them at home. There are not enough hours in the day but as the main breadwinner I have to keep working five days a week to pay the bills.
Melissa says
Thanks for sharing this :) I’m excited to read your answers to the rest of the questions.
Our son is only 3 months old, but we are pretty convinced that we will be homeschooling him and (Lord willing) his future siblings. This is something God put on our hearts before Eli was even conceived. I am convinced that my children will have more opportunities being home schooled than they would in public school, given the state of this countries education system. Rampant budget cuts are eliminating extra curricular activities left and right and classrooms are so full that children are hardly getting the individual attention they need. I’m looking forward to teaching my children in a godly environment and letting them learn at their own pace while focusing on what interests them.
Here are my questions – Are you part of a homeschooling network? What benefits are there to being involved in one? Do you plan to homeschool until your boys graduate?
Krista says
I was homeschooled for High-school (for several reasons: personal, safety, academic, etc.), and it was the BEST thing that happened to me during those years. I HATED school, and (to be perfectly honest) it took me nearly 2 years of homeschooling to finally love to learn again. I had no problems with college, in fact, my college preferred homeschool students because they didn’t have to be molly-coddled and could do the work on their own. (No I didn’t go to one of the “Typical” homeschool student colleges.) When I got married, we agreed that character development happens at such a young age that we would homeschool. Right now #1 is only 19 months, and #2 is only a thought and a prayer, but my husband has agreed to let me homeschool through at least 3rd grade at which time we’ll re-evaluate. (DH is a pastor’s son who was brought up to believe the public schoolis a mission field.) We’ll see how everything goes. Good luck to all you other parents! No matter what your choice, God can and does work through it! :-)
Erin H. says
The Lord has laid it upon my heart to homeschool my children when the time comes but I must say that I am incredibly apprehensive about it. I am a very structured, list oriented person who needs a guide. I find it hard even now when trying to teach my 2 yr old things. I need order. So if you could address at some point how one might work around this tendency, it would be appreciated.
Megs says
Can’t wait to read the book you recommend. I have two young sons and due to our lifestyle homeschooling maybe an option for us as well. I think everyone should do what’s best for their situation and family. Open minds and hearts to all is a great value in itself. So yea…2 boys…may someday turn into more but wow I feel like that’s hard to handle! Good luck looking forward to reading more about your homeschooling values. Your blog is awesome!
Pam Smith says
I’m one that had to be “whacked over the head” as well. I was “NEVER” going to homeschool. It all happened when I began working with my first born son at a very early age. I would find free curiculum on the internet from homeschool sites but wouldn’t call it homeschooling just “working with him”. I began to fall in love with teaching my son and was then convinced I wanted to teach him full time. My DH wasn’t on board at all. He too was “NEVER” going to homeschool. I began to pray to the Lord to change his heart or change mine. Well, 8 years later we are homeschooling when neither of us was ever going to homeschool. :)
We are fortunate to have a wonderful school for homeschoolers right down the street that our two children (DS 2nd grade & DD K) attend 2 days a week. I also work at the school to help off-set tuition. The curriculum and assignments are provided by the school and follow our Christian values. It has K – 12th grade and is an accrediated highschool. As of now we are planning on having the kids attend this school indefinitely.
Becki says
I am also the odd man out. My kids attend our local public school. In addition, my husband is a teaches high school at our local school, and I do some substitute teaching at the public schools.
I agree completely with the lack of time to train our kids to be filled with truth and trained for righteousness. And even more, I find that I have less time, because of their time in public school. My job is even harder! However, we chose public school for several reasons
1. There are many, many good caring teachers in public schools (and many caring Christians as well!) We pray for our kids teachers constantly!
2. It offers our kids a chance to do a run through on using what they learn at home. We teach them how to act, how to behave, what to believe, and that is never really questioned in our home. I they do challenge me, but now one is truly mean to them. Part of teaching them to be like Jesus and love like he loves, means to teach them to love those that are mean. We find public school a great arena to practice what we teach, in a semi-controlled environment, and with my constant support and encouragement. I am there to assist them to use this time to develop these skills!
3. I would overlook things. Even the best curriculum does not allow for the differing approaches, ideas and philosophies. But different teachers let my kids learn things in many ways, and learn to judge things based on their biblical training. They are also learning how to respectfully disagree….and that is something!
I read a book, Going Public, by David and Kelli Pritchard, which has completely reinforced our beliefs as far as my kids schooling. I highly recommend it!
Becki
PS. I WOULD NOT send my kids to public school, if I were not a stay at home mom (who is rarely at home when they are at school!) They need me every minute!
Becki says
I am also the odd man out. My kids attend our local public school. In addition, my husband is a teaches high school at our local school, and I do some substitute teaching at the public schools.
I agree completely with the lack of time to train our kids to be filled with truth and trained for righteousness. And even more, I find that I have less time, because of their time in public school. My job is even harder! However, we chose public school for several reasons
1. There are many, many good caring teachers in public schools (and many caring Christians as well!) We pray for our kids teachers constantly!
2. It offers our kids a chance to do a run through on using what they learn at home. We teach them how to act, how to behave, what to believe, and that is never really questioned in our home. I they do challenge me, but now one is truly mean to them. Part of teaching them to be like Jesus and love like he loves, means to teach them to love those that are mean. We find public school a great arena to practice what we teach, in a semi-controlled environment, and with my constant support and encouragement. I am there to assist them to use this time to develop these skills!
3. I would overlook things. Even the best curriculum does not allow for the differing approaches, ideas and philosophies. But different teachers let my kids learn things in many ways, and learn to judge things based on their biblical training. They are also learning how to respectfully disagree….and that is something!
I read a book, Going Public, by David and Kelli Pritchard, which has completely reinforced our beliefs as far as my kids schooling. I highly recommend it!
Becki
PS. I WOULD NOT send my kids to public school, if I were not a stay at home mom (who is rarely at home when they are at school!) They need me every minute!
Off to read to a bunch of 1st graders all about christian virtues!
Michelle says
We have a 4 year old, 2 year old, and a soon-to-be-born, and are very much into the idea of homeschooling.
The first reason we thought of it was that my oldest is an early learner, just as my husband and I were (we were both public school kids and bored silly). She has been reading since she was three. We did a modified ‘preschool’ curriculum with her this year, as well as a grade 2 level readers program, and she is loving it. She would have been bored to tears in a regular classroom.
The more we thought about it, the more homeschooling makes sense to us. We don’t want our children to learn from other randomly assigned teachers (yes, they could be wonderful, but do we want to gamble on that every year?) for 3/4 of their days…plus we would miss their wonderful company. There is so much to teach, so much relationship that needs to be built in the early years so that we have the strong connection with them in their teens. If that’s not there, mentoring them later as they grow into adults will be so much harder.
Long ramble, sorry about that, but I imagine everyone feels rather strongly about the subject. *grin*
Sarah says
Laura I just love your site!! I really do!! You have no idea how great the timing of your post is!
My oldest daughter is 4.5 and we decide a couple years ago that we would go ahead and take the leap of faith to homeschool our kids. And it was definitely a “whack” over the head moment for my husband and I. We were very adamant before hand about NOT homeschooling for various reasons, all of which sound really dumb now. :) Now, although I’m scared at moments, I believe that this is the best decision for our family. The decision to homeschool is a hard one and everyone has different reasons to either homeschool, send their kids to public school or private school. I think the most important thing to do when deciding on which route to take for your kids education is to pray and seek wisdom on what to do. The answer is different for everyone. :)
An earlier poster did ask about how you have time for you. I would second that question. My kids are young now and I’m sure as the grow my role will change some, but it is hard to find a few minutes of quiet. :) How do you adequately prepare yourself for what God needs YOU need to be for your kids?
Thanks Laura!!
soonermomof7 says
Homeschooling has been one of the biggest blessings of our lives! I would recommend that everyone with children take time to pray and reflect on guiding their children. Then, follow the path on which you are directed. Homeschooling gave us precious time together, an appreciation of each other, flexibility to incorporate special interests/service opportunities/aid to friends/visits to family, and helped ME to grow as a Christian woman (with plenty of opportunities to practice virtue, fail at it, and ask forgiveness). It’s an amazing life! My oldest is preparing to graduate high school this year (finishing up while serving the church for a year) and will give a 2nd year in service before heading to college. What a blessing!
Sarah says
My husband and I have not yet started having kids. When we do we plan to homeschool. We are already planning for missing my income, but feel it will be worth it. We both attended the local Christian School and did not feel that it gave us the education our parents worked so hard to pay for. We want more for our kids. I was always a fast learner and feel that attending a traditional school held me back. I can’t wait for my kids to be born and spend the all too short 18 years with them.
Erika says
I was also whacked over the head, althought we’re not homeschoolers yet… that will be next year. We have had similar situations to a previous commenter, where my daughter just wants to keep moving forward, and they keep holding her back so that she stays in line with her peers. She spends so much of her school day idle, doing doodles or reading a book because she finishes her work well before her classmates. Yet, she still brings home a folder full of homework- busy work at that, and an assignment to read some more at home, because the 90 minutes or so a day she reads at school doesn’t count. I hate that she spends 7 hours physically at school, and then comes home only to spend more time doing school work.
Don’t get me started on the horrible math program they’ve been teaching either…
SO 4th grade for her will be at home with me, where she can zip ahead as much as she wants. My son, who has been in a private preschool this year, will tackle kindergarten with me as well. We’re so looking forward to it, and I feel so blessed that God did hit me over the head, because I was an anti-homeschooler not that long ago.
Mrs. S says
This is our first year homeschooling. We use a charter. It has been challenging but so much fun at the same time!! We decided to home school mainly because we wanted to be the primary influence in our children’s lives. Not to mention, the schools in our district are not very good. We feel we can give them a better education at home.
stina says
I have spent some time thinking about this on occassion. I feel like perhaps it would be a good thing for our family but my husband is not on board with this train of thought. He readily admits the flaws with the public schools but feels like we can make up for it at home…so I guess we will just see and I’ll keep praying about it for us to agree one way or the other.
I have an incredibley good friend whose mother home-schooled all of their children(four) until they were in high school. Her mother is the head of a homeschool co-op and my friend now teaches choir and music in this co-op and is also a SAHM. They even have a homeschool prom. It is amazing. They are all very bright, smart, and social people. All but one has a college degree (the youngest has severe autism) and they are some of the kindest people I’ve ever known. I would most definitely want to do this if I lived closer to her.
chaostimes4 says
I just came upon your site today and thought I would throw in my 2 cents. I have 4 children and never wanted to homeschool them. My oldest went to public school and he begged me from first grade to homeschool him, but I always said no. The school he was in and the teachers were wonderful. Well, we moved and he still went to public school–this time in not such a good school. Halfway through 4th grade I brought him home. I have now homeschooled him through 5th grade. It has been wonderful for him. I also have 2 daughters in public school. They have the best teachers ever and I couldn’t hope for more for them. Next year we are moving again–to a place with a great school system and they will all be in public school. I plan to take every year on a child by child and school by school basis. I can see benefits to each and will do whatever I feel is right for each child each year.
Jennifer says
I’m surprised you didn’t also mention Lisa Whelchel’s book “So You’re Thinking About Homeschooling”! I read this when I was pregnant with my DS (he is only 2 1/2 now). My husband was a on a big kick about how the public schools were teaching bad values, blah, blah. I find it hard to generalize that, and tend to think that public schools can be great and it just varies from school to school.
Anyway, I was dead set against even considering it. Dead set. But, then I read Lisa’s book and saw how many different options there are. Wow! I also found some parents at our church who homeschool and ask them questions from time to time.
At this point, it’s not really an option b/c I am working outside the home. If it ever becomes obvious that we should homeschool, we would make it work.
PS – LW also has a great book called “Taking care of the me in mommy”. No, I don’t work for her, I just like her books:)
Donna says
My story is similar in that “time” was a factor.
I had read commands in the Bible about “train up a child” and teaching diligently, and when you rise up, walk by the way, etc……….and I couldn’t figure out when I was going to have “time” to do all that if they were gone 8 or 9 hours a day! …and now, I still have trouble fitting it all in! ;-)
But I am oh so grateful for the opportunity! …the baby of the bunch read me a story the other day- and I praise God that it was ME that he read it to! What an honor! God is good and precious!
Courtney says
I teach part time at a private school that is what’s called a University Model school. In this school, the kids go to school 2-3 days a week (depending on the grade). The days that they are home are “homeschool days.” We plan to either homeschool or send the kids to this school (hubby would prefer the school). Right now the school is 3-12th grade, but next year we’re starting a K-2 program. The kids will go to school T, W, and Th from 8:30-12:30. I’ll be the 1st, 1st grade teacher :). This program, because of the necessity of regularity of teaching how to read, will make it so that the parents are doing even more at home than they do in the older grades. The school is completely focused on Christ. We use Abeka and Bob Jones University Press curriculum.
I love it. I feel like it’s the best of both worlds.
Lois says
Great topic! It’s that time of year a lot of people are asking me about home schooling. For us it was a no brainer. The panic for me was finding out we were parents. Schooling them was an extension of feeding them, clothing them (easy) and why would we delegate them to someone else for the important stuff?
FACES is an acronym that explains our conviction to home educate.
Family. We want to be their primary influence in their lives.
Academics. Not all children are created equal. They can take time learning something tough, and can whiz through the easy stuff. We can customize their education.
Christian values.
Emotional security. In our home there is no ridicule, teasing or bullying. They will not be made to feel stupid.
Socialization. Whereas this is the big question, for us it is one of the main reasons TO homeschool. We can avoid negative socialization from age-segregated mentality, and can instill a ministry mindset to their curriculum.
"Lydia Cate" says
Raising Godly sons, Hmmmm. Well I’d like to pre-arrange 4 marriages please:) Okay maybe only 3 since my oldest is 13. Just kidding, mostly.
I have 4 girls and one boy. We home school also and have been since #1 began kindergarten. I tell people, “The Lord had to take me by the scruff of the neck to get me to home school.” I once told a dear friend that I could never home school. And then when my oldest was about to begin K5 we had just moved and there was a long waiting list for the christian school we had hoped to get her into. It was at that point that we jumped into HSing with all fours! I just wasn’t ready to send my 5 year old off for 7+ hours a day. We’ve never looked back.
My passion for HSing has grown and my reasons for doing it have changed and been fine tuned. It is challenging and just down right hard some days. There are constant spiritual attacks. There are days I think I can’t, and still I wouldn’t have it any other way! What a blessing this road has been. I look forward to seeing how God will bless these oh so humble efforts with my children.
I look forward to reading your other answers! I feel like we oculd sit over a cup of Hot chocolate and coffee and talk for hours!
Jessica says
When I was in highschool, I thought homeschooling was weird; didn’t seem right or normal.
Now it’s everywhere! Even my own sister, who is a teacher at a public school, taught her first child at home for a year before she needed to go back to work. I am in a dilemma- I want to homeschool, I think. But, my oldest daughter is categorized as special needs and goes to a specialized school with all kinds of therapies etc. I have two more children after that, and I’m expecting our 4th in the middle of August. So, I will have two school aged children (6 and 5) a preschooler (3) and a newborn. I’ve only done a little homeschool with our second child and my patience needs some work to say the least. How on earth would I homeschool? I want to take an easier path and allow the older two to go off to school, but I’m already mad at the school system for all the problems I’ve had with my special daughter. I am praying a lot about it, but just curious about those out there that homeschool with a bunch of little people :)
Justin says
Great post. I love your reasons for home schooling. All in all you’ve got to listen to the Lord. We are a ways out from school but we are fairly certain that public school is our best option. A book that really swayed me was “Going Public” by Kelli and David Pritchard. All in all I believe the most important thing regarding kids is raising them in a Proverbs 22:6 way.