Before I became a parent, the thought of homeschooling never entered my mind. I attended public school from K thru 12th grade, and because that was all I knew it’s not surprising that I believed my children would follow the same path. But as my faith has grown. And now as a parent of four active kids, my thinking has changed. Now, I won’t stand here (or rather sit here and type) and tell you why homeschooling is the best. Instead, I’d like to tell you why I don’t homeschool all my children (at least for now).
Two attend a Christian school (which I do love), and the other two are homeschooled (which I enjoy doing). If you had to guess who is going where, well you’d probably get it wrong, at least in part. Now my two year old daughter, which I’m sure isn’t a surprise, and my almost thirteen year old son are at home. Wait, stop the press, a two year and thirteen year old being homeschooled?? It’s OK if upon reading this you…well wondered why. Without going into a long story, I’ll just say it was an obvious choice for our toddler, and the best decision for our son.
Now this is an over simplification of the situation with key information left out, but my point is that I’m going to homeschool my children based on their needs, and not on how I think/hope things should be. My husband and I want the peace of knowing that our children are growing up learning about God freely and openly. And that they receive the guidance and teaching to help them achieve academic success. So at this point homeschooling and private school fit the bill.
Of course, incorporating both has been difficult, and planning ahead has taken on a whole new meaning. But I like to tell my children that everything (including their schooling) is a work in progress. Children’s strengths and needs change day to day, so why do we expect to handle it all the same. As a parent, all I can say is that I’m doing my best. I love homeschooling and do secretly long to homeschool all my children someday.
So all I can say to you if you’re deciding whether to homeschool is to be realistic. When everything is working like clockwork, you’ll wonder why you haven’t been doing this all a long. And when someone is sick, fighting, and/or struggling to understand a new subject you’ll wondering how you got yourself into this.
Homeschooling is a journey. So if you start down the road just give it time. From everything I’ve heard and read, it takes about a year to get the homeschooling thing ‘down.’ So here I am at the beginning of our journey, feeling excited and slightly terrified. I don’t know if all or some of my children will be homeschool next year. But I am willing to wait on the Lord and let him reveal to me His plans for my family.
So if you want to homeschool, pray about it. If you feel led to do so then take the next step. Find support from those who are doing it, and resource, resource, resource. Not only are there hundreds of homeschooling options out there, but you’ll also need to familiarize yourself with your states laws. Once that’s in order jump in. You won’t know how deep the water is until you’re in it. Just believe in yourself and your child.
For my son and I, it hasn’t always been an easy road, but we both can see what a beneficially one it has been.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6
Dear Lord, I pray you help those questioning where their children should be taught. God reveal your will to them with conviction and clarity. May they follow your will even when the road is tough, and the destination is unknown. Help them to make the decision with all certainty that you are with them, Lord. Thank you for the honor of parenting these children. They are precious Lord, and I pray they learn and grow to love you above all others. -Amen