Homeschooling is one of my passions. I hesitate to write about the subject of homeschooling because I know I am far from being an expert. I've had many people ask why I decided to homeschool. Some are merely curious, a few are supportive and I think most are skeptical. Unfortunately, its my understanding that some Christians in the church have suffered from the opposite. They truly love the Lord but do not feel a calling to homeschool. And they too are undergoing grief from those who should be supportive.
I'm curious for those that do homeschool, how did you make that decision. I was an education major in college and the odd thing is I sort of ended up homeschooling because it became a hobby of mine when my daughter was a baby. The main reason I homeschool are to shelter my children (which has become a dirty word in this society). I do believe in teaching our children about other worldviews, but I believe children need to have a thorough grounding in their own faith first.
The other reason I homeschool is that these days just go too quickly. I want to cherish each moment. I want my children to be each other's best friends.
I love that we can start each day off with the Bible. Elizabeth asks all the questions she wants. It is not popular to ask too many questions or raise your hand too often, but Elizabeth doesn't struggle with any of those fears.
I love that we can study our "collections" and call it school. Elizabeth gets so excited about finding a mushroom or a different type of bug.
Though those are the main reasons I homeschool, I think it all began with a passion that built slowly. During naptime, as I cleaned the house I would listen to a homeschool podcast. My mother-in-law told me about Old Schoolhouse magazine and I would devour the issues, keeping files of ideas to use for the future. Homeschooling became a bit of a hobby to me (much as writing is a passion in my life). Choosing my homeschool curriculum is like Christmas.
If you're a homeschooler and have not been to this site, you'll see what I mean. Send for a catalogue. Rainbow Resources. Its the size of a phone book. When God gives you a passion for something you just can't get enough.
Is there anything God has given you a passion for? How did he build this passion in you?
6 comments:
I was asked this morning why did you start homeschooling? ...I saw my mother-in-law homeschool my husband's younger brother. I wanted to learn some of what he was learning. I saw his cool friends & their relationships with their parents (it answered very quickly the socialization question...they are very socialized!). Then I saw homeschool as a good academic method. A way to provide a top-notch education to my children. And then, I went to a Carole Joy Seid seminar and she made it all come together. And she made it seem simple to provide that top-notch education. I thought, "I can do this."
But the one of the main reasons I keep on homeschooling is for the relationships. I love being with my children. I love the relationships that I have with them and that they have with each other. I love our family culture that exists because we homeschool.
And I feel the same as you. I don't often blog about homeschooling because I don't feel like an expert. I have less to say in some ways as the years go by (this is year 6). But I do love it. Challenges and all. It is the best job I have ever had.
(found your blog through Carrie at Reading to know (which I found through one of my friends' blogs.) Kathleen
My parents started homeschooling my younger sister because she had a health issue. They ended up liking it so much they pulled the rest of us out of school.
It was hard for us at first because we'd been in school for so many years, but I can honestly say now that I've long since graduated that homschooling was one of the best things that happened to both my family and to me. :)
Thanks for stopping by my blog!
Kathleen,
Thanks for stopping by and sharing. My mother-in-law homeschools my husband's younger brother, too (23 years younger). I agree there are so many options for socialization, its easy to have too much socialization :) My husband and I read Susan Wise Bauer's work last year which further emphasized the lack of academic education we had received in the public schools.
I have never listened to Carole Joy Seid, I will have to look for more information. I love Reading to Know...great reviews.
Emily Ann,
You're welcome and thanks for stopping here, too :). I've heard it can be much harder for kids that are pulled out of the schools, that there's a bit of a desocialization process that sometimes needs to take place. Its encouraging, too, to hear from graduates of homeschool...somehow helps me to feel that my kids are going to come out of this OK (well, hopefully better than OK).
I don't homeschool but know so many who do. One of the things I really appreciate about our church is that there is NO pressure to do a certain type of schooling.There are so many children who thrive under their parent's teaching. Though I am a former teacher, we don't have any intentions of homeschooling ourselves...my daughter actually started preschool earlier than we had planned to go to a special ed classroom for her speech disorder.
Anyway...I just wanted to thank you for stopping by my blog today. Hope you have a great day!
Annette,
You're welcome and thanks for stopping here, too. I admit I saw a posting for your contest, but will definitely be back. You have some great crafty ideas!
That's great that your church is a no pressure atmosphere. I sometimes have a hard time talking about homeschooling. Its something I'm very passionate about, yet I have many friends that love the Lord passionately and send their kids to public school.
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