Nov
04
I don’t know what made me think I could stand to blog about NaNoWriMo for 30 days in a row. Maybe a weekly Saturday update.
We had a wonderful day with my sister-in-law Jess, her three kiddos–Anna, Ethan and Gavin, and two of our neighbor kids. Picnic lunch in the living room, soccer in the backyard, a walk through the woods to the park, board games, learning how to knit (not me!), chatting about homeschooling over coffee.
Livi overheard the word “homeschool” and casually walked into the kitchen and sat on my lap. I told Jess that I had asked Livi to come up with some good reasons I should homeschool her next year but that she hadn’t yet. Helpful Aunt Jess suggested to Livi that she should make her mom write a list of reasons why Livi shouldn’t be homeschooled. Turn the tables and place the burden of proof on the Mama.
Later that afternoon, Livi brought me a piece of paper.
5 reasons to homeschool me.
#1. I wouldn’t have to learn stuff I already know.
#2. I wouldn’t have to have as much homework.
#3. I don’t have to ride the bus.
#4. I could sleep in.
#5. Sometimes I could give you ideas I would want to do.
Hmmm… not bad. Pretty convincing. Especially #1. That’s why my mom homeschooled me for three years. Five minutes later she presented me with another list.
Some reasons why you would want to homeschool me.
1. You wanted to teach fourth grade.
2. You wouldn’t have to call my school if I’m sick.
3. You wouldn’t have to pack me a lunch.
4. Sometimes you wouldn’t have to help Nina.
Well, #4 just about clinched it. I told Livi this was a good start but that we’d probably need to come up with a few more.
Can you help an 8-year-old out? Why should her mama teach her at home next year?
My husband is a youth pastor, like your sister’s, and I have seen the exact same things in our youth group. Our homeschooled children are definitely more knowledgeable in the Bible but are not that great socially. Again, I think yours would be fine. There are just pro’s and con’s and it is definitely not for every family.
I do have a problem with the homeschool families that look down on the families that send their children to public school. Yes, I do teach in the public school and I definitely feel like that is where I am supposed to be right now. As for our little Emma, if she were to start school today, I would send her to public school….does that mean that is how it will always be? Not necessarily we will see where the Lord leads.
Praying for you as you make this decision. Don’t be swayed either way by these comments…be swayed by HIM!
1) don’t let this be another stress for you right now…cool thing is, you don’t HAVE to make the decision right now AND if you change your mind about 3 months in, it’s NOT a big deal to stick her back into school again or pull her out to homeschool (depending on which you decide)
2) you know you will pray about it…so that’s covered…just wait and see…you’ll have a heart tug one way or the other
3) keep it in perspective: this life is just a vapor of eternity…don’t put too much into “how do I school”…we all want what is best for our kids…but really, they’re already super smart and know HOW to learn, they are learning to love God no matter what their surroundings are…you and Gabe are doin’ awesome…
you aren’t gonna go wrong…just determine first where God is leading and how you will balance that with the rest of life that is happening around you…no matter if it’s homeschool OR sending her to school…
Love you!
I was home schooled for 8 years. I started in 4th grade. I couldn’t handle being in school after you left. Just Kidding. I did love being home schooled though. You are right though. like everything, it has its pros and cons! I’ll keep you in prayer!
Wow – that was, perhaps, the worst grammar EVER.
I think I’d love your mom. What great options you have as parents! We were committed to public schooling for Wes, convinced that it was what we were supposed to do for him – not for us! I agree with Janelle – the only opinion that really has import in this is the Lord’s – for your children, both collectively and individually.
We have a tendency on this subject to have such a need to be right that we fault-find and behave dismissive toward parents who chose differently, don’t we? I love that the discussion on your blog is so civil.
I have lots of things I could say about this topic, being a youth pastor’s wife of a 95% homeschooled youth group. I believe that homeschooling is never the best option for EVERY family. I believe that homeschooling, public schooling, and Christian schooling can all be the best options depending on how it’s done and how you feel God is leading you. I spend hours each week (and have for years now) with homeschooled teenagers, and there are handfuls of them who have adjusted wonderfully and are intelligent and socially adept. There are also handfuls of them who have no understanding of people outside their family/ church, have trouble with attention span and cannot spell if their life depended on it. For these reasons I think it depends completely on the parent, the children, and what God wants for your family. Homeschooling can be a great way to go, but not if it’s not right for your family or if the reasons you’re doing it aren’t right.
I could say so much more. This is one of my favorite topics. Maybe we should discuss it when you come next weekend!
LOVE YOU!!!
I think the flexible schedule of homeschooling is really important to me – since my hubby works a weird schedule that doesn’t line up with a traditional school schedule at ALL. And I hate when people use the ‘socialization’ argument against homeschooling – there are so many children in our public AND Christian schools today who are just totally focused on pleasing and relating to ONLY their peers, because their peers are all they’ve been exposed to in their traditional school setting, that they cannot hold a conversation with an adult, a teen, or a child who is of a different age. I’m not saying children shouldn’t go to school, but I don’t think they HAVE to in order to be socially relevant. And I love your MIL’s comment – it is totally what God wants & He will show you.
Well we can go on this path together. I am looking at homeschooling my 4 kiddos after the holiday break. They are 8, 9, 9, 10. This year was extremely hard for me to send them to school. For the first time I felt as though all my hard work as there mother is going to the way side. As they get older, I am seeing the choices they make with their peers are becoming harder and harder for them. They are good kids, that love the Lord so much. They know right from wrong, but we all went to school too, right? Except these days what we went through in junior high they are going through in elementary. That would be my reasons for homeschooling. The kids are looking forward to it. If it was up to them, they would start tomorrow. I won’t be a homeschooler that has to teach the Bible everyday, because I believe you have to live the example before you talk about THE example. But my focus will be on raising my kids in a solid rock environment with teaching them the way to go, for what…so they won’t depart, from HIM. Will it be challenging, I’m sure it will be but the reward will be so much greater. I once heard a mom that homeschools her eight kids, 4 of them have gone on to excellent, well-known universities say “when you give a child a chance to learn at their own pace and they are passionate about science and are excelling with it they will begin to slow down when they realize they need the knowledge of math to keep up with their passion. Soon that child will have an interest to excel in math to get to where they want to go.” Hmmm, sounds like we are helping them become better adults when they are faced with even tougher decisions.
Hope to see you as a partner in this endeavor!
What great advice you’re getting! I love reading these responses. I have no words of wisdom myself, but I think it’s wonderful that you’re open to both possibilities. And that you’re giving Livi the opportunity to have so much input on this decision. Kudos to you, Mom!