Why Homeschool?

Because I am better than you and my kids are smarter than yours...  Just kidding.

Let me start a few years back before we had children.  I was a teacher and I absolutely loved it.  I had great students (my fifth graders are graduating from high school!), I loved planning lessons and I couldn't wait to have kids who would one day be a part of the same educational system.  I didn't know whether we would place our children in public or private but I did know one thing for sure:  We would NEVER homeschool.

Homeschool kids were weird.  They lacked social skills, hygiene and a structured environment.  I based this on my knowledge of approximately two children.  My kids were going to be normal.  They were going to be raised like my husband and I.  We went to public school our whole lives and were relatively unscathed.

Fast-forward about five years.  Andy is in seminary and my best friend homeschools.  I constantly joked with her about this and felt the need to give her my advice from years of teaching and schooling (It's amazing she kept me around).  But slowly the wheels began to turn.  Through one year of observing her children, I realized they weren't weirdo kids with no social skills.  They were respectful, loving, God-fearing children.  They sat down for book work at certain times of the day but most of their learning happened outside structured time.  Her oldest knew more about science from his backyard and library books than any student I had ever had.

Now, I must pause for a second to explain that I am not saying I found/find homeschooling to be superior.  I am simply stating I was shown that my own presuppositions were wrong.  I started to think I could do this too.  Not only could I do this, but I would be the best home schooling mom ever!  In fact, with my knowledge and training, I could really do some good.  Slowly, this arrogance faded as I realized my training actually put me at a disadvantage in some ways.  I had to let go of certain expectations.

 What I love about homeschooling is working at his pace.  For example, Ethan does really well in reading/phonics.  He is well above grade level.  We work ahead in that area.  Ethan struggles a bit more in math.  I was trying to bulldoze through the lessons to get to a certain point before the end of the year and realized in the process, my son was beginning to hate math.  We put the breaks on and started taking time with each lesson, spending weeks on it if need be.

So, here's the thing.  Somehow, we as mothers have made this topic incredibly controversial.  I want to state that I do not believe this is a sin issue.  It's a personal decision that each family has to make as to what they feel is best for their entire family.  We get too caught up in polarizing topics that have no biblical grounds.  We're Christians, aren't we polarizing enough?  We spend so much time arguing what is best for other people's children we neglect our own ministry to our family and stop showing people the love of Christ.

Ethan and Abby went to preschool this year.  They loved it.  They learned so many things that I hadn't thought of yet.  They had a great teacher and they made great friends.  I loved that they were there.  I also homeschooled Ethan through Kindergarten this year.  He was suppose to start this year but he was really close to the cut off and I wanted to wait.  We started it at home and he did great.  Next year we are homeschooling.
 Will I continue to homeschool until kingdom come?  I don't know.  I do trust we will make the best decision based on the needs of our family.