Homeschool? Why I am (And Am Not) A Homeschool Mom

I have homeschooled.  Always. Even….

• Before husband begged me to give up my life for our children. 
• Before days had no end and no beginning.  
• Before the earth was our classroom.  
• And before books grew like an epidemic: Spreading. Into our home, halls, hearts, & bedrooms.

I am a homeschool mom.  Because parenting is never a stop and start kind of thing. It is the very essence of our being.

• It is the continued prayers even when you rest (and your head finally touches the pillow).  
• It is the hopes, and dreams, and thoughts of your children, never ending. 
• It is the quiet snuggling, reading, teaching, learning…..for both the parent and the student.  

That is homeschooling.

And yes, I am a homeschool mom because in all things there is a lesson.  Not just in those difficult or joyous situations. But the teaching, is the speaking.  In relation. With our children.  Everything we are saying. With or without words.

….Most importantly….the not speaking is that which speaks most.

And kids are constantly watching.

And with homeschooling. We (the parents) become the classroom. It is…

• Our words.
• Our silence.
• Our example.
• Our influence that shapes our children into who they are. 

And I just don’t want to give up the education of my kids to another I barely know.  It just doesn’t seem fare….to me or them.

Yes, homeschooling is more than a teaching method.  It’s a lifestyle. A way of life.  A form of art….that formulas and mathematics only hinder the creativity.  In it all.

Because homewschooling helps us see.  Each child has different eyes. And with each set of eyes become different lessons.  Different visions.  Different hopes and dreams.

And I don’t like being put in a box….so why should I put my children there.  Leave them alone.  And walk away?

Yes, homeschooling is the heart to heart. Parent to child.  Teacher student relationship.

It’s the bending ear, listening, raising up to meet Jesus.  The witnessing.  Of everything…that IS homeschooling.  

It’s a life around God, and family, and others.  It’s a oneness of vision, and choice, & purpose that can’t be severed by fickle ways, worldly passions, petty purposes.

Homeschooling is the solution to parent’s sitting idle to another man’s system.

It is the taking of control and losing control….all at the same time.

It is the giving up. The surrendering. The sacrifice:  Of income. Worldly acceptance.  And popularity….for some who make the decision.  To homeschool.

But, at the same time….It is the gaining of so much.

Homeschooling is the teaching.  At home.

It is the gaining of abundant freedom….because the world is no longer our master.  Money has little power.  As God becomes the master teacher….of every lesson.  The one we learn from.  Serving the world instead of surrendering to it’s pressures.

And the teacher affects the student much more than we will ever know.

For who we center around….we model….who we model, we learn from…..and who we learn from….we ultimately become.

And I want to be like Jesus.

I don’t want my kids learning solely from secular sources, centered around something we don’t trust, believe in or agree on.

Yes, we want God……who gives our children their life and each breathe….to be the very one who trains them, equips them, leads them in a course….that they will not soon later regret.

And although my kids are now in public school.  A year after homeschooling.  We are all, still homeschoolers.

Because no matter where we go…..We want our teacher to be Christ, the center of our home.

And because (and I can attest) a life around money and power and things that disintegrate, and melt within hours….

Is not a gift at all.  Really.

So, we homeschool. But, we don’t homeschool.  And I am glad that homeschooling is not just a teaching system.  But a lifestyle. A choice.  A way of committing to….

Schooling.  At home.

(Linking with WLW )