I remember it well. The day we chose to homeschool. Kids in private school. My son in a public gifted program. But still feeling invisible….like a clone.
I moan. “God help us. What do I do?” Frustrated, complicated, at wits end. Confused.
The answer so unlikely. To this day, it strikes me. A call that I had been nudged to do…but in my pride, my wanting my own life…refused.
Tears of anguish for my hurting child. I had been happy, doing what I wanted to do. Chasing my own life.
But the words rang true as Focus On The Family turned on. A confirmation. A declaration. …the first word I hear? Homeschool. All week, I opened up this scary word. Thought about surrender and what it would include. Talking to anyone and everyone I could. Research. Researching everything there was.
Then, the choice. Not just words. Not just prayers without answers. Not just pleas without wanting the surrender. I choose. I decide. It’s time. Time, I die. Die to self. Die to pride.
Today, I rejoice. My children. One eighteen, making good choices. Loving Jesus. Loving others. A family close, celebrating each other. Finishing college while turning eighteen. The other so happy, truly loves Jesus. Piano, dance, worship, reading. Self-teaching guitar. At church leading. Traveling on mission to help the poor, seeing the needs of the neighbors next door. Fearless to engage in adult intrigue. Talking to strangers, serving social needs.
Was it me. No. A Saviors implore.
Thank you Jesus for making me poor. For showing me some of life’s greatest rewards. Not through self ambition….but by seeking you more.
3 Comments
Hi from Bloggy Moms. Thanks for the follow. This post struck me because I am currently in a great battle with whether or not to continue to homeschool. It seemed so clear last year, but this year I feel so confused. I really am not sure that I can teach my son. He is very smart, very stubborn, & very emotionally delayed. Not a good mix for someone who has no teaching experience. It seems like everything I try fails. It seems like he rejects everything just because it comes out of my mouth. Since I cannot physically make him do his schoolwork, I don’t know if I should attempt to homeschool this next year. I would appreciate any advice you may have.
I hope your week is going well.
Sincerely,
Danae@Believing Unbeliever
Hi Danae – Thanks for your comment. I am no expert, by far. But it seems to me, God’s call to homeschool is quite individual, & may even differ each year or even per each individual child. My number one suggestion would be to seek the Lord. He is trustworthy to never lead us astray. And He knows/loves our children even more than we do.
In addition, I am not sure your sons age, but I found w/ my children that around middle school, accountability is crucial. We particularly benefit from having a “go to” person, especially for subjects such as Math, (i.e. a different parent, a tutor, a co-op teacher etc) someone to ensure completion & hold them accountable. For years, I would assign the work & my husband would check it off at the end of the week. Kind of a team approach that worked for us. Consistent requirements, specific deadlines, & clear consequences are especially necessary for the strong-willed child. For me, the first year homeschooling was incredibly difficult, but each year after that just got easier and easier. Probably the best advice I ever received was to take it a day at a time and to remember to have fun! I am a firm believer that we can have a loving/peaceful home, enjoy each other & laugh a lot, & still expect the most academically from each child according to their abilities/giftings. My prayers will be with you that God will lead you as you lean on Him to seek direction for your son in the coming year! Any more questions, feel free to e-mail me directly.
Held together by His Grace,
Jen
After much discussion, prayer, and deliberation, my husband and I have come to the conclusion that our days of home schooling must come to an end. I have many mixed emotions about our decision. I have many concerns and I wonder if we are making the right decision. Yet in my heart, I know it is time.
We have begun the registration process with a local private Christian school. It’s a small school with a good reputation. The staff is both professional and kind. It seems to be a good fit.
Amazingly, our children are excited about the change. I could list all the reasons we decided to make this move, but as we are confident in our decision, there is really no point. Suffice it to say, however, that it was a difficult one to make, and came at the cost of much soul-searching.
Although our time of home schooling has ended, I remain convinced of the benefits of home schooling, and continue to advocate it as one of the most effective means of education for certain families. The decision to home school is a very personal and individual one. It is not for everyone. And it is not necessarily something that should be done throughout a child’s education in every situation. In fact, I encourage regular evaluations for those families who home school. Evaluate your reason(s) for continuing. Evaluate how your children are doing–academically, emotionally, physically, and relationally. Evaluate how the primary “teacher” is doing. All these factors are important considerations. There is so much more to home schooling than how much work the students accomplish or how much information they learn.
My best to you in your endeavors.