Why Homeschooling?

Okay, I have been reading through these blogs and I feel a little like the odd man out. I have been attracted to the entries on “WHY.” It seems that many people felt led to home school and were immediately obedient to God. Well, this isn’t quite how it worked with me. I admit, I started this journey because I had a terrible experience in the public school. It is too long to go into here, but I became a home schooling mom because we live in a small community and there was just no way I was going to send my daughter back to that school. The small, Christian private schools that are in the area are not equipped to handle a child with a learning disability and she was not old enough to go to the Charter school that is close by that caters to kids that are struggling with school. So, for me the more important question is why continue to home school. My initial anger has cooled to mere irritation and, more importantly, my daughter would be old enough to attend the area Charter school. Also, I have two (yes TWO) toddlers joining my family in the fall. Wouldn’t it be reasonable to send her back to school so that I can invest all my energy into these two young children? After all, they will be coming from an institutional setting, have suffered malnourishment and will not speak any English. Wouldn’t it be best to allow Marissa to go back to school so that I can concentrate on the needs of my two younger children?

My answer ~ A resounding NO! I won’t send any of my children to public school. I have seen so much progress in my daughter this year that I have become convicted that home schooling is a wonderful way to raise your child. We have enjoyed reading great books together and I love that I am actively involved in her learning. It gives us something in common that we can talk about outside the classroom. So much better than, “How was school today?” “Fine.”

Also, I have found that Marissa does much, much better when verbally answering questions. When she is asked to write out a short answer, she generally writes, “Sorry, I don’t understand the question!” When we are talking I can restate the question, ask her to tell me back what I have just said and lead her down a path of if-then-therefore reasoning.

To tell you the truth I was a little concerned about the “socialization” thing. But, again, my fears have been proven unfounded. In fact, I marvel at the fact that I had fears about this at all. My daughter does not have great social skills and she didn’t learn good skills when she was in public school. It isn’t that I didn’t give them time either. My daughter was in public school through the end of her 7th grade year.

Last year, Marissa spent more than half of the school day in classes for children with emotional and behavioral problems. What was modeled for her was totally inappropriate. I love that her dad and I have become the predominate influence in her life. I think it will be good for her to be home full time with her new brother and sister and form close intimate family ties. There is also more opportunity for physical closeness. Often during our reading she will come over and sit next to me and cuddle in close.

By far, the best outcome I have seen from home schooling is tremendous Spiritual growth in Marissa and I. Prior to my leaving full time employment; our lives had become so compartmentalized. We had a secular life on Monday through Saturday and a spiritual life on Sunday. By being with my child everyday, I have been able to teach her that she cannot live the Christian life apart from Christ. God is not a God of Sundays and He cares what we do in all areas of life. Is the music you listen to inside of outside the will of God? Are the clothes you are wearing honoring God or an outward sign of the flesh? We are able to discuss those issues throughout the day (even when school is technically out).

And for more selfish reasons: I absolutely love lingering over coffee and Bible reading with my daughter each morning. I thrill when Marissa recognizes and comments on the worldview expressed in songs and chooses to turn off the radio when a song comes on that is offensive. I treasured the time Marissa and I spent on the North Shore of Lake Superior as we took a 3-day field trip to Northern Minnesota. We even learned about perimeter by swimming the perimeter of the indoor heated pool.

Sure there are days that one (or both) of us wake up and would just rather not do school. Prior to last year, we used to just sleep at our home. Every one of us was gone all day. I have found it nearly impossible to keep my home cleaned when people live in it. Even with the help of flylady find it difficult to keep my home de-cluttered. But, on the whole, the good days far outweigh the bad. The benefits of home schooling are worth every cost. Besides, I know that I know that I know that I am following the will of God who keeps me ever safe in the hands of the Lord Jesus.