Why We Homeschool

This is something that I have been wanting to put into words for a while now, but for some reason, I haven't taken the time to sit down and do it. This weekend I have been thinking a lot about the upcoming start of Logan in second grade so I thought it would be a good time to write down my thoughts on the subject.  

I first want to say that I don't think homeschooling is the perfect and only way for education, and I do not think my children are better because they are homeschooled.  I feel that God calls each family individually for what is best.  It is up to us as parents to listen and obey in the path that He chooses for us. 

Since Logan was around three years old, I was very interested in homeschooling as our option for education. I wasn't sure exactly how this would work out or if it would for sure because I was working full time with no definite plans in quitting. The year before Logan started Kindergarten I was able to quit my teaching job and stay home full time with the boys. I was so thrilled for the opportunity to do what I had wanted to do since I had children. When I would think of how much time they would spend in a child care provider's home verses our own it was disturbing to me.  I felt strongly that I should be the one to take care and raise my children and not pay someone else to do that for me.  After all, you don't really know what is going on when you are not there.  It is a tremendous amount of trust in someone you may not know very well. 

One day while I was at my friend's Trish's house, I saw a book that looked interesting.  She had raved about it so I ordered my own copy.  I highly recommend it as well!  It is Creative Correction by Lisa Welchel.  Amazon has wonderful marketing tactics for someone like me because I went on there to order just this book.  They have on the bottom the little icons of "customers who liked this book also liked these..."  I found another book by the same author called, So You're Thinking of Homeschooling, and of course I had to buy that one too.  It is also a fabulous resource if you're even considering homeschooling as an option and that is where my journey began.

I was fully on board with the idea and ready to get started.  However, Landon was not convinced.  I knew this was a major family decision, and I didn't want this to be something I talked him into without him being confident this is what we need to do.  He is really driven by sports, so he was concerned about the boys not being able to be involved.  So instead of trying to talk him into it, I just prayed for God to change his heart.  It was hard to sit back and wait, but God was faithful and answered my prayers.  I don't know exactly what changed his mind, but I am glad he did by something other that me. 

Reasons why I love homeschooling:
1) You can go at your own child's pace:  I taught in public schools for seven years, mostly in the high school level.  I didn't have any experience as an elementary school teacher, but I am sure it is challenging to have anywhere from twenty to twenty-five students in your class, all at different levels.  It is physically impossible for one teacher to go at the pace of each individual because some excel and go quickly, while others need more help.  When you homeschool, you can go at whatever pace your child needs to make sure they really understand what is being taught. 

2) Instruction time is much less (especially for the younger grades):  I had a problem with the idea of a five year old going to school for seven hours a day.  The way public school is set up, there is a great deal of wasted time, in my opinion.  When you homeschool, you can move on when your child is finished.  In school, a teacher must wait on others to finish.  Our instruction time lasted around two to three hours in Kindergarten and First grade. 

3) More time for field trips:  There have been budget cuts, so field trips are cut to a minimum.  I love that we have freedom to take trips for educational purposes.  I also have considered family vacations for the future to be educational. 

4) No one loves my child like I do:  This was a major issue for me.  You can't pick your teachers so if your child ends up with one who they don't get along, it can be damaging to your child's self-esteem for an entire year or longer.  Also, I love being with my kids.  I just want to be the one to spend that much time with them rather than a person who may not even like my child.

5) You know what they are learning:  I love that I know what we are learning in every area.  Logan can be non talkative about details at times.  I would imagine that after school or in the evening, I would ask, "What did you learn at school today?" his reply would probably be, "Nothing."  I love that I know what we are learning and can talk about it throughout the day, even when we aren't actively doing schoolwork.  It is also great for review driving down the road or just throughout the day.  I also love that I get to see the lightbulb moments when he gets something.  It is such a joy!

6) Not Test Driven:  I think tests are valid and serve a purpose.  However, in the last several years, testing has become the focus of education.  Teachers have no choice because so much depends on their test scores.  I will have my children tested, but it doesn't dictate how I teach. 

7) Ability to cater to different learning styles:  Not every child learns the same way, and when you are focused on just your children, you will soon discover the best way they learn.  You can then select curriculum that is more for that style.  This is much more difficult to do in a group setting with twenty or more students.  A great resource for discovering what way your child learns best is 100 Top Picks for Homeschool Curriculum: Choosing the Right Curriculum and Approach for Your Child's Learning Style by Cathy Duffy. 

8) Bonding time:  I love that I have designated time to focus on Logan (for right now).   It really gives us time to bond and really get to know each other better.  I read in a book that homeschool families have closer relationships, especially among siblings.

9) God-centered curriculum:  This is probably my number one reason for wanting to homeschool. I want to teach my children that God is a part of everything. We can learn about Him when studying history and science and in every other subject. We practice writing with Scriptures, and we have more time to do bible study. I had to learn this concept as an adult, because I was taught God and education separately. 

Downfalls:
Homeschooling also has its cons.  It is not always rainbows and butterflies, and some days I really can question what in the world am I doing?  One major area that can be a challenge is discipline.  As a parent, it takes effort in self-discipline to maintain a daily schedule.  It will not happen without planning. 

Another thing that can be considered a con is the reaction you get from people sometimes.  I don't need for people to understand why we choose to do this, but sometimes disapproving attitudes or looks aren't always well received.  It's really okay with me most of the time, because I know I am doing what I am supposed to do.  I don't expect everyone to have the same opinion as me or do everything the same way I am doing it either. 

Letting other educators know that you are planning to homeschool can be offensive to some teachers because they take it personally.  Most of my reasons have nothing to do with teachers.  There are many wonderful teachers who are passionate and have a genuine love for their students and the curriculum.  However, as in any profession, there are also some bad ones too.  For the most part, I really feel that teachers do the best they can with what they are given.  So, I am not trying to slam public educators in any way by the things I have said. 

One of my major pet peeves on the homeschooling topic is the "socialization" issue.  I really don't think it's an issue unless you are a hermit and don't ever leave your home.  We have our kids involved in many activities and they are around lots of other children.

I have also heard people say that they have concerns about not having "normal" children if they aren't in school.  Who defines "normal" and do I even like what "normal" is?  Is that what I want my kids to be?  We are called to be different and in time, I hope they understand why our family was lead in this direction. 

I am not trying to talk anyone into homeschooling by writing this.  I know it is not possible for everyone, I just simply wanted to share my thoughts on something with which I am extremely passionate.  Sometimes when someone asks me the simple question, "Why do you homeschool?", I tell them I could talk for hours on the subject.  It is complex and there are many reasons. 

Another question I am asked all the time is if I plan to teach them all the way through high school.  For now, the answer is yes.  Is the idea overwhelming and daunting to me?  That answer is also YES!!  But I know that if I am called to do something, God will not leave me without help.  There are online classes and places that we could go in surrounding counties if I feel I am not capable.  Also, I happen to have a math wiz for a husband, among many other things, so I think we will be just fine when we get to that point. 

Logan's First Day of Kindergarten

Another frequently asked question is what Lucas does during school.  He sits and colors and does his own "work".  Also, I sometimes do school during Lucas' naptime because he can be a bit distracting. 

Field Trip to Cripple Creek

Kangaroo!!!

Wonderworks in Pigeon Forge was free for homeschoolers this day!

Homeschool Valentine Party.  We went to Life Care to give Valentines to the residents.

Logan's 100th Day of School.  Mom sent him 100 balloons!

Homeschool Sedar

First Day of First Grade

Apple Orchard Field Trip

Fun science experiement with a Coke and Mentos.

Homeschool Game Day

Celebrating Passover

Track and Field Day

Logan's Last Day of 1st Grade...can you tell he was excited??  ☺

twelve years

Yep, this one will be sappy.  Twelve years ago...it seems like such a long time ago, and then again it seems like only yesterday.  July 31, 1999 had to be the hottest day ever to get married!! 

When I look at my former high school students now who are married or getting married, they seem so young to me, but I was the same age or younger.  I was nineteen and Landon was twenty-two.   It didn't feel too young to me at the time, and I have never thought back and said I was too young to get married.  If I had it to do all over, I would do the same thing.

I couldn't have asked for anyone better for me...one who makes me always feel loved and protected,  supportive, makes me laugh, and makes me want to be a better person.  He is truly the love of my life, and these have been amazing twelve years.  I look forward to many more together.

When Logan was born, I received a wonderful book that I really believe changed the way I would parent.  It is called Power of a Praying Parent by Stormie Omartian.  I loved the book so much I immediately bought another one of her books called Power of a Praying Wife.  At the end of each chapter she has prayers typed out for everyone to pray over the particular subject in the chapter.  These aren't my words, but they could have been straight from my heart.  I literally cried when I read these words as a prayer the first time.  I wanted to share because it really changed how I looked at my husband in many ways that weren't his place to fulfil, they were God's.  I continue to pray this prayer that it will bless and strengthen our marriage so nothing would ever tear us apart.  May it be a blessing to someone else who reads this powerful prayer. 

Help me to be a good wife.  I fully realize that I don't have what it takes to be one without Your help.  take my selfishness, impatience, and irritability and turn them to kindness, long-suffering, and the willingness to hear all things.  Take my old emotional habits, mindsets, automatic reactions, rude assumptions, and self-protective stance, and make me patient, kind, good, faithful, gentle, and self-controlled.  Take the hardness of my heart and break down the walls with Your battering ram of revelation.  Give me a new heart and work in me Your love, peace, patience, and joy.  I am not able to rise above who I am at this moment.  Only You can transform me.

Show me where there is sin in my heart, especially with regard to my husband.  I confess many times I've been unloving, critical, angry, resentful, disrespectful, and unforgiving toward him.  Help me to put aside any hurt, anger, or disappointment I feel and forgive him the way You do--totally and completely, no looking back.  Make me a tool of reconciliation and peace, in this marriage.  Enable us to communicate well and rescue us from the threshold of separation where the realities of divorce begin.

Make me my husband's helpmate, companion, champion, friend, and support.  Help me to create a peaceful, restful, safe place for him to come home to.  Teach me how to take care of myself and stay attractive to him.  Grow me into a creative and confident woman who is rich in mind, soul, and spirit.  Make me the kind of woman he can be proud to say is his wife. 

I lay all my expectations at Your cross.  I release my husband from the burden of fulfilling me in areas where I should look to You.  Help me to accept him the way he is and not try to change him.  I realize that some ways he may never change, but at the same time, I release him to change in ways I never thought he could.  I leave any changing that needs to be done in Your hands, fully accepting that neither of us is perfect and never will be.  Only You, Lord, are perfect and I look to You to perfect us. 

Teach me how to pray for my husband and make my prayers a true language of love.  Where love has died, create a new love between us.  Show me what unconditional love really is and how to communicate it in a way he can clearly perceive.  Bring unity between us so that we can be in agreement about everything.  May the God of patience and comfort grant us to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus.  Make us a team, not pursuing separate, competitive, or independent lives, but working together, overlooking each other's faults and weaknesses for the greater good of the marriage.  Help us to pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another.  May we be "perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgement" (1 Corinthians 1:10).

I pray that our commitment to You and to one another will grow stronger and more passionate every day.  Enable him to be the head of the home as You have made him to be, and show me how to support and respect him as he rises to that place of leadership.  Help me to understand his dreams and see things from his perspective.  Reveal to me what he wants and needs and show me potential problems before they arise.  Breath You life into this marriage. 

Make me a new person, Lord.  Give me a fresh perspective, a positive outlook, and a renewed relationship with the man You've given me.  help me to see him with new eyes, new appreciation, new love, new compassion, and new acceptance.  Give my husband a new wife, and let it be me.

Happy Anniversary Landon!! 

All Nations Camp

One thing that I really want to do sometime in my life is go on a foreign mission trip.  I think it would be life changing, but right now, at this point in my life, it's just not feasible with my children. 

Back in April, I got a phone call from my former pastor, Bro. Dave Shelley.  He asked if I would be willing to do a music program one night at All Nations Camp in the summer.  I told him I would love to and I asked if I could just come all week and help.  He said he needed a teacher for the middle school age group, so I was set to go.

I had been wanting to some kind of mission trip this summer that I could take my children also.  Our church had a group go to Savannah, GA for a mission trip, but my kids were too young to go, so I was thrilled when I received this call.  However, this was before I found out I was pregnant.  I have had some major not just morning sickness, but ALL day sickness for the last month.  I was concerned that I wouldn't feel well at camp, especially in the heat.  Thankfully, I felt okay most of the time. 

When I was in high school and college, our church had groups to go to All-Nations camp to serve as counselors.  I always enjoyed going then and looked forward to getting to go again.  There are many different nationalities represented in this camp, and it is good for me and my boys to see and talk to people that are different from us.  You see, in our small town, there isn't much variety☺  Lucas came back from bible class one day and told me about his new friend with a blue shirt with a brown face.  I just laughed my head off!   

I got the privilege to teach the middle school class.  We had some wonderful, in-depth discussions, and I pray that that time spent together helped them to grow in the Lord in some way.  I enjoyed getting to know them.  There were several in the the group that were extremely knowledgeable in lots of Scriptures.  I wasn't sure exactly what to expect.  They actually participated and discussed openly to what I was asking.  Landon and I teach the high school class at our church and sometimes they just stare at me like I am an alien.  It is much more enjoyable when the class participates☺

It was also great to get to work with Scott Foshie all week.  We really miss him at Bear Cove, but I know that God called him away to serve in another church.  We just really didn't like it or approve of it!!  He is truly a man of God with a servant's heart.  He is quite an example for us all in the way to love others. 

It was also great to work with Bro. Dave as an adult.  He left our church not long after I was married.  He has a heart for children's ministry and has a gift for recreation.  It was interesting to see him working with the kids from a different perspective.  I grew up with him, his stories, and his games because he was our pastor for around sixteen years. 

Games, games, and more games...they were divided into four teams for competitions all week. 

Logan and Lucas' team.  Lucas didn't do too much playing, though.

He liked to watch the big kids.

It was also great to see Ryan Shelley.  I babysat him from the time he was in diapers until I got married.  He moved shortly after, and I don't think I have seen him since.  I would not have recognized him if I saw him in public!  I have lots of fun memories of when he was little.  He is now 21!!  Man I feel old!

Soccer was amazing to watch.  I guess I am used to watching little kids play, but I was impressed with the skill of many of the campers.  Also, if there was ever any free time, there were people playing soccer.  Watching some of them play barefoot made my toes cramp up.

The older kids championship game was exciting to watch.  They went into overtime and Bro. Dave said the next score wins because they were tied.  This kid scored an amazing shot to win it for his team. 

Who knew tether ball was so much fun????  Logan loved it and wanted to play it all week.  I want to set up one in our yard it was so much fun.  How Napoleon Dynamite would that be?

On Tuesday morning, Logan came running into the cabin to get me frantically.  He said Lucas was bleeding!  I ran out to see him with the nurse with a bandage on his head.  Of course he was crying and I was just trying to figure out what happened.  There was a boy chasing a girl and she fell onto Lucas' head.  Her tooth cut him on top of his head. 

The really bad part of it was the girl cracked her tooth.  Scott took her to the dentist the next day in Sparta.  She ended up having to go home because she had to have an oral surgeon remove it due to the fact it was broken to the gums.  She was such a sweet and bubbly young lady.  She was in my middle school class, and cried because she didn't want to go home.  I felt so sorry for her!!!  I told Lucas he must have one hard head. 

He recovered rather quickly and that evening, our children's choir from church came to perform our musical we have been learning all summer.  I was so proud of them all!  It was their first performance and they all did a wonderful job!!  The campers all loved it and were a gracious audience.

I don't know what got into Lucas.  During practice at church he would barely sing even though he knew the songs.  When he was in front of an audience, he was a ham singing his heart out!  It was really cute!

Logan was Goliath...a little unbelievable, I know.  When we perform for our church, he will be up on a platform so he looks taller and more threatening.  I was thrilled to hear Logan say he actually enjoyed choir and he was looking forward to doing it again in front of our church.  He didn't want to even be in children's choir, but he didn't have a choice because I am the teacher....it's good for him☺

Well, if you have made it this far after such an enormous post, you will hear the best news of the whole week!  Twelve campers made a first time profession of faith this week.  I don't know if they are all genuine or not, but time will tell.  I pray they will be nurtured in their home churches and grow in the Lord.  Since I am not able to go on a foreign mission trip right now, this was the closest I could get.  It was a blessing to be a part of this week!

“Go into all the nations preaching the gospel to all creation.”  Mark 16:15