With back to school upon us and so many people having asked us why we homeschool, I thought I’d offer a few answers. Truth is there is not one answer, in fact, there are more like 100 but the simplest one I can give you is… God has called us to this place and faithfully we have trusted and obeyed and have followed into the journey of homeschooling.
So, if the answer is that simple then why write about it any further? I want to for a few reasons. First, to document for myself and my children how we came to this place as it was with intense prayer and consideration and not haphazardly. Secondly, because I hope to encourage. It was helpful on my journey to hear from other mothers who had chosen to homeschool. When I saw my heart in them it made my calling even more clear.
Here are a few… or 10:
1. Jesus. I wanted to structure my kids education from the vantage point of a Christ follower. I wanted them to see God in history, through science, in math, in language arts, in worship, music, and art. I can teach this throughout our learning and it is just down right awesome.
2. Time. I wanted a simple life with relationships a top priority compared to an over-extended, over-exhausted, on the go, American culture that has become so many of our households. I wanted time to cultivate, nurture, play, love. That would take intention to live a little counter culturally.
3. Academics. I wanted to craft my kids education to fit their individual academic needs. We are in math a few grades above; reading a few grades above for one child and right on track for another; pursuing cursive writing early because I have a child interested in learning cursive. I can structure our curriculum to their level and interest. I can stop and work a problem over until it is mastered. Amazing.
4. Extracurriculars. I wanted time to cultivate their varied interests and needed an open schedule to allow for that. I want them to be involved in music, art classes, sports, church activities, Awanas, and an extra family adventure or 100 to experience hands on learning. I couldn’t quite figure out how to have all of that on a conventional school schedule without leading to the over-extension of my kids, not to mention, Doug and I.
5. Siblings. I want their relationships for one another as siblings to be close. That has been nurtured through time spent together. They are genuine best friends.
6. Fun. It is a joy to experience learning with them. To watch their eyes light up when a math concept connects. To hear the first books they read aloud independently. To answer their questions and watch their minds work is a true gift I do not take for granted.
7. Influence. I get to be the voice. The one forming their self-worth and confidence, not the kid on the playground. I get to encourage and edify and correct and discipline. They will have decades ahead of them to hear plenty from the playground, but at 3 and 5 and 7, they can hear my voice and I’m perfectly okay with that.
8. Bible. I wanted time to study the bible with my kids. We start our morning in worship and I think it’s just about the most important thing I could ever do with them.
9. Play. I wholeheartedly believe play is vital to development and growth. My kids have ample time for creative play and it’s not wasted time, it’s vital work.
10. Obedience. I already shared this but I must add it again. We are obeying a calling and when you obey God in accordance with His will, there is abundant peace and joy to be found in the journey. There are times I question, “God why is this in our hearts? Why are we in the 4% population of the U.S. who homeschool? I’d be fine to be in the 96% you know?” But, when I come back to the heart of it all, it’s as clear as the air I breathe, and the joy is abundant. I can’t just walk away from that. So, when you ask a homeschool mom “why?”, understand it’s a complicated question with a faithful answer…
Because He has called us to this place.