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Tuesday, January 24, 2012

How Do I Love Homeschooling? Let Me Count the Ways...


To those who have not done it, or have not been around folks that have, homeschooling can seem downright weird. I used to be one of those! I wondered just how wise it was to isolate children by keeping them in the home instead of giving them the opportunity to rub shoulders with their peers every day. Wouldn't they become some kind of strange misfits that had no idea how to interact with their own kind? (Funny that I would think that because I was actually a bit of a misfit that didn't know how to interact with my own kind—and I was schooled in public and private schools!)

Let me tell you, my perspective has changed—a lot—since then. Why do I choose to homeschool my child now? For a variety of reasons—some protective, some religious, and some “constructive.”

1.) Protective
As of January 2012, California public school teachers are now required by law to teach even very young children about alternative lifestyles. Call me politically incorrect, but I really, really don't want my six-year-old being taught that by anyone other than her father or me.

2.) Religious
I believe the Bible to be not only absolute truth, but also historic fact and I want my child learning the history of the world from that perspective. “In the beginning” was a literal 7-day creation by Creator God!

3.) Constructive
Homeschooling is not easy. There, I said it. (I suppose that shouldn’t be a surprise, as parenting isn’t easy and homeschooling is just more parenting!) A couple weeks ago I had a run-in with my very strong six-year-old during schooling. It was not pleasant and I have to admit that I had romantic visions of sending her off on a big yellow school bus running through my head at the time. I was asking myself, “Why do I do this? This is so frustrating and I just don’t think we’re making any progress! Wouldn’t we both be happier if I just sent her to school? She would have fun being with other kids all day and I would have a nice quiet day to do just what I’d like to do!” Believe me, that really, really sounds wonderful some days.

But then God, in His grace, helped me to see what is actually being accomplished in those unpleasant run-ins with my daughter. We maybe aren’t getting her addition facts memorized like I would like while battling one another, but we are working on major character issues that I might not have become aware of if she were away at school every day. Or I might not have become aware of them until she was 12—or 16—making it much harder to deal with at that age!

It began to dawn on me just what a wonderful thing it is to have my child with me day in and day out… I know her much better than any outside teacher, no matter how caring and capable. My husband and I are much more qualified to address issues of character with our child than anyone else. And by being with her, not only in the morning and evenings but also all throughout the day, I have the fabulous opportunity to work through these character issues with her as they arise. What a wonderful gift!  

So, like Galatians 6:9 encourages, Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary,” I am fixing my eyes on Jesus as I move forward in my homeschool endeavor with determination, hope, and joy.

And, oh yeah, there’s one more reason I chose to homeschool… it’s downright fun sometimes!

2 comments:

  1. Thanks for this, Sharon. I needed to be reminded why I homeschool as well. It is hard, but also very rewarding. And you can get weary in well doing (especially after 11 yrs. & on your 10th child) This blessed my heart. Love you dear friend.

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    1. I am so glad it was a blessing to you, Tina! It is so important that we are honest about the challenges we have and then encourage one another, isn't it? I am so thankful for you and so many others that have done it much longer than I have and are therefore an invaluable resource for me! :o) Thank you for all your helpful tips whenever I have questions/concerns! Have a good night with lots of sleep, Lord willing!! I miss you and love you, too.

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