At the close of the school year and the completion of my son's Pre-K year, we have formally decided to homeschool. Many will jump to conclusions as to why we did this ranging from negative feeling about public school to desire to control our child's every move. Neither of these are true so to set the record straight, here's the top 5 reasons why we chose to homeschool.
1. Proverbs 22:19 TRAIN UP A CHILD IN THE WAY THEY SHALL GO; AND WHEN HE IS OLD, HE SHALL NOT DEPART FROM IT. As a Christian, I see these as both a commandment and a promise. I see it as a commandment to ensure my child is brought up and taught the biblical principals that can ensure he has a Godly foundation, and God promises that he won't depart from it. No me teaching my child, the Christian way of life, does not ensure salvation, but it does ensure that the teachings will not leave him. That no matter where life takes him, he still has that foundation that is rooted and grounded in Christ.
2. I respect and admire teachers. I wholeheartedly admire teachers in every form and fashion. From the Sunday-School teachers to the college professors and everyone in between. Whether the setting be a homeschool, a public school, or some other form or learning institution, I applaud you for giving of yourself to add value to the future. For this reason, I do not take the role of being my children's teacher lightly. I understand the responsibility and I am willing to accept the challenge.
3. We want our children to learn everything possible. We are not trying to shelter our children or limit their experience but to allow them to experience learning and life in a way that a classroom doesn't permit. Our children can learn how to count money when they buy their own snacks at the store. They can learn humanity, volunteering at nursing homes. They can learn about art and culture at museums that public schools cant afford to visit. They can interact with people and experience life first hand instead of from a textbook.
4. Children are like wet cement. This lesson was taught not so long ago by my Pastor. Reminding us how impressionable our children are. That everything they see and hear around them has an everlasting impact on their lives. The thing about cement is that as long as its wet, we protect it from unnecessary exposure. We don't let walk all over it, because we don't want to damage it. We feel the same it true with our children. No we don't think public school is harmful or a "bad thing" but we do know that their are some bad things that can influence our child if we allow it to get close enough to make an impression. So we chose to keep their hearts and minds guarded until the cement dries.
5. BECAUSE I CAN!!!! This is the chorus that every rebellious child sings when they get their first taste of freedom. And that is not the tone I meant to convey. I sing "BECAUSE I CAN", because I have the knowledge, the opportunity, and the ability to teach my children. I do because I can! I know that this route is not one that is possible for everyone, and if you are one of those people that its not, I do not look down on you. I do not feel you are any less of a great mother than me. I understand that this isn't an option for everyone. God has a plan for each of our lives. For us that route, at this moment, is to homeschool. For you, it may be public school, private school, or unschooling. No matter what choice you make, make it with prayer and be confident in your choice!
1. Proverbs 22:19 TRAIN UP A CHILD IN THE WAY THEY SHALL GO; AND WHEN HE IS OLD, HE SHALL NOT DEPART FROM IT. As a Christian, I see these as both a commandment and a promise. I see it as a commandment to ensure my child is brought up and taught the biblical principals that can ensure he has a Godly foundation, and God promises that he won't depart from it. No me teaching my child, the Christian way of life, does not ensure salvation, but it does ensure that the teachings will not leave him. That no matter where life takes him, he still has that foundation that is rooted and grounded in Christ.
2. I respect and admire teachers. I wholeheartedly admire teachers in every form and fashion. From the Sunday-School teachers to the college professors and everyone in between. Whether the setting be a homeschool, a public school, or some other form or learning institution, I applaud you for giving of yourself to add value to the future. For this reason, I do not take the role of being my children's teacher lightly. I understand the responsibility and I am willing to accept the challenge.
3. We want our children to learn everything possible. We are not trying to shelter our children or limit their experience but to allow them to experience learning and life in a way that a classroom doesn't permit. Our children can learn how to count money when they buy their own snacks at the store. They can learn humanity, volunteering at nursing homes. They can learn about art and culture at museums that public schools cant afford to visit. They can interact with people and experience life first hand instead of from a textbook.
4. Children are like wet cement. This lesson was taught not so long ago by my Pastor. Reminding us how impressionable our children are. That everything they see and hear around them has an everlasting impact on their lives. The thing about cement is that as long as its wet, we protect it from unnecessary exposure. We don't let walk all over it, because we don't want to damage it. We feel the same it true with our children. No we don't think public school is harmful or a "bad thing" but we do know that their are some bad things that can influence our child if we allow it to get close enough to make an impression. So we chose to keep their hearts and minds guarded until the cement dries.
5. BECAUSE I CAN!!!! This is the chorus that every rebellious child sings when they get their first taste of freedom. And that is not the tone I meant to convey. I sing "BECAUSE I CAN", because I have the knowledge, the opportunity, and the ability to teach my children. I do because I can! I know that this route is not one that is possible for everyone, and if you are one of those people that its not, I do not look down on you. I do not feel you are any less of a great mother than me. I understand that this isn't an option for everyone. God has a plan for each of our lives. For us that route, at this moment, is to homeschool. For you, it may be public school, private school, or unschooling. No matter what choice you make, make it with prayer and be confident in your choice!