To Homeschool or Not to Homeschool?
Author: Melanie Robbins
"I will never homeschool." This is what I proclaimed to my husband three years ago. I was adamantly opposed to the idea for a number of reasons. When Tyler would mention homeschooling, I would convey to him in no uncertain terms that I would never do it. Well, we all know we should never say "never" to anything. I truly believe God softened my heart and helped me become open to the concept. Two years ago I considered it briefly, but concluded that I didn't have enough time to prepare and get ready. Because Nathan had a wonderful experience in kindergarten, I thought it would be good for Rachel to attend kindergarten at the local school as well.
This year, though, my dear friend mentioned a few months ago that she was seriously considering homeschooling next year. That got me thinking and praying about it again. I started researching and talking to as many people as I could about homeschooling. I asked my husband to pray about it too and shared with him all the research and information I had been gathering.
Even with all the praying and information I had gathered, I continued to wrestle with the idea. I saw and understood both the pros and cons of staying in the public school AND of homeschooling. "What is the right choice?" I asked myself. I didn't feel that there was a clear answer; I just wasn't sure what I should do. I decided not only to pray, but to fast as well because I truly wanted God's guidance. I recalled the very familiar verse: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your path." Proverb 3:5-6
It was midmorning of the day I was fasting and praying and I still had no clear direction. I met a friend and shared with her my dilemma. She suggested that I give over the decision to my husband, have him as head of the family make the decision for us. As soon as she uttered those words, I felt that was God directing me through her, helping me to know what to do. I felt an immediate peace knowing that was my answer.
When I told my husband what was the result of my fasting and praying, he felt honored that I trusted him to ultimately decide for our family. He had received all the input and research and based on that and prayer, he decided that we would try it next year!
There are a lot of reasons for and against homeschooling. Is there a "right" answer? Is the answer the same for every family, every child, every situation? I don't believe that there is one "right" answer for everyone. I do believe that if you are truly seeking God's guidance, wisdom and will, and if you turn it over to Him, He will "direct your path." He will give you an answer that is best for you, your family, and your children.
And so we will be embarking on a homeschooling adventure next year! Am I excited about homeschooling? Most definitely! Do I get nervous and overwhelmed about the idea sometimes? Most definitely! I know, though, that my desire was to do what God would have me to do for my children, and I am confident that this is where God is leading us for next year. I hold onto and believe wholeheartedly God's promises that we "can do all things through God who gives us strength." Philippians 4:13. and "in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28. These promises give me confidence as we move foward with our homeschooling endeavor!
As always, your thoughts, ideas, comments are appreciated and valued! Thoughts about homeschooling....do you feel strongly one way or another? Do you agree/disagree with what I shared above?
Next Week's Author: Jennifer Patchin
posted by Passionate Purposeful Parenting @ 12:00 AM
14 Comments:
I think what parents need to realize is that they are ultimately responsible for the education of their children....what values are taught, the quality of the academics, and even the peer group the children will be associating with. All these things need to be taken into consideration when deciding whether public school, private school, or home school is the best choice for your family.
I wholeheartedly agree! This was one of the main "pros" for homeschooling! We have not had any bad experiences at our public school. We have loved the teachers and not disagreed at all with what was being taught, but we didn't have much time with school, homework and activities to continue to teach and model our faith and values. We also didn't have as much quality family time together. One of the cons I struggled with was that we wouldn't be able to share the love of Jesus at the public school with others.
Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts, Kim. I really value and appreciate your input.
Homeschooling is not for everyone, yet Melanie you prayed over it and you asked God to direct you. That's what he wants us to do is to trust in him....to lean on him. We will miss you both and I'll be praying that this will be a smooth transition for both families.
I agree with you, Lisa, that homeschooling is not for everyone. I can't tell you how much I am going to miss everyone! Fortunately Benicia is small enough that I know that I will probably "run into" people at least! :)
P.S. Thank you so much for your prayers, too! They are greatly appreciated!
I'm excited for you. I do miss the flexibility of homeschooling. We have little family time during the week.
Yes, flexibility is another one of the pros to homeschooling! :) Thanks for being excited for us. You've been a tremendous support -thank you again so much for all your advice and resources.
As an 18 year homeschool mom, I believe that homeschooling is less about an alternative form of education, and more about "Intentional Parenting," and the discipleship of our children.
It is extremely difficult to orient our children's hearts to the Lord when they are in secular government schools, away from us, and under the influence of unbelievers.
We should be wise and understand the difference between exposure and influence. Exposure is limited and harmless with adequate coaching. When that coaching is removed, it becomes INFLUENCE. I believe this is why many, many Christian young people are losing their faith in college.
God's desire is to turn the hearts of the fathers toward their children and vice versa. Where better does this happen than in a homeschool environment?
Paulette, thank you so much for your post! Well stated! I can tell from what you shared that you are a godly and wise woman of God desiring to do what is best for your children. I would love to connect with you some more and see whether you would consider writing for PPP. I, too, seek to be intentional (purposeful) in my parenting and that is one of the reasons why I started PPP actually. Thank you again so much for your comment -- it is greatly appreciated!
I have two pre-school age girls and I work with teenagers from all backgrounds. I am not sure homeschooling is the answer to prepare a child to deal with outside influence, once out in the real world. I would rather have my child wade through secular influences while in my home so that I could coach them through it, then send them to college without previous experience with different influences. I want to teach my children how to discern truth and judge the validity of outside influences, within their real life. If there is only limited and controlled exposure for 18 years, how will they know what to believe when they leave home without a parent there deciding for them? Ironically, many non-churched, public-schooled students become believers in college. I don't think it's schooling environment that determines what your child will do in college.
I hear you and I had wrestled with some of that as well. I want to prepare them to deal with things in the world. My hope and desire is that they will have a strong enough foundation (their faith will be their own and they will know what and why they believe what they believe) and enough exposure to outside influence that they will be able to with God's help live in the world and not be of the world. There are many thoughts/opinions on this topic. So thankful that you shared yours with us!
Many Christian young people leave their faith in college. Statistics show from 51% and upwards, depending on which study you read. That means there is substantial risk for each individual, and the system is a major challenge to our kids' faith.
I have also read statistics on the fact that the great majority of saved people come to Christ in their youth, not their later years.
If you teach Truth, children will recognize lies easily. But you need to teach WHY you believe what you believe, right from wrong and the moral reason why we live the way we do. If, as a parent, we are uncertain, then WE need to learn as well, since we cannot teach what we do not understand.
If you know your Bible and enjoy a personal relationship with Christ, it will make a huge difference. If not, I challenge you to seek Him first, above all else.
Once again, great wisdom, Paulette. Thanks for writing. I appreciate what you share and am so glad that you are commenting.
> She suggested that I give over the decision to my husband, have him as head of the family make the decision for us. As soon as she uttered those words, I felt that was God directing me through her, helping me to know what to do. I felt an immediate peace knowing that was my answer.
I just puked up my lunch.
Homeschooling can work, when the parents are fully integrated into society, and are willing to socialize their children without isolating them.
But when the parents themselves are self-isolated and proud of their isolation regardless of the reason, it won't work well even if it appears it does.
It saddens me greatly that they seek to extend that to another generation, who will then preach and vote (as in Prop 8) as though they live in or desire a theocracy instead of a society with a secular government, enriched by all kinds of people.
Especially you, living in the Bay Area with all of its God-given diversity and richness of experiences, why would you deny your children the enrichment during these crucial years of brain and self-development, why would you deny them the experiences of interacting with so many people, in so many places, that are not cookie cutter copies of what they have at home or church?
Were you so indoctrinated as a child yourself? I have never met a woman who subverts herself to her husband the way you described who wasn't, and I am just a few years older than you.
Open your children's hearts and minds to the whole world without prejudice or fear, that is the purpose of education.
If you must see it in Biblical terms, then simply trust God to do what is right, don't make choices for him, especially ones that narrow your children's opportunities.
Post a Comment
<< Home