Our top reason for homeschooling our girls is so that we can be their largest influence during their young years. Pre-K and kindergarden students have full length school days in our area. Knowing that our girls would be influenced by other people-whether those individuals are great role models or not- for more than 30 hours a week did not settle well with us. Becoming parents is such a gift from God and he has asked us to raise our kids with the knowledge of Him. We struggled knowing that God asked us to raise our kids and teach them about His ways and His world, yet sending them off for someone else to influence. How could we be there to answer- or ask- the tough questions if we were not there when the topics arise?
Next, being in campus ministry, our daily schedule is opposite of most professions. One -or both- of us are on campus or with students in some way beginning midday through late into the evening. Students are awake and more available to meet with, minister to, and mentor during the afternoons and evenings; so naturally we make ourselves available to them then. If our girls were students in the public schools, which releases daily at 3pm, we would not have family time together during the week. Homeschooling allows us the flexibility to do our schoolwork in the mornings and still have time at home with all family members present.
Thirdly, we have chosen to homeschool because we feel strongly about keeping our lives available for God to use as He sees fit in our community. With our efficiency in a school day, we can complete our work and get on with serving those around us. If necessary -although not easy or ideal- our schoolwork can go with us wherever we need to be.
Nope. It isn’t easy. It demands another role to be filled- educator. It requires us to add a new dimension of discipline to our lives. But, we feel it isn’t permanent- at least from where we are standing now. We will simply listen for God to guide us as we make decisions for our kids as they grow and develop.
Prior to committing to this endeavor, we shared many hours of conversation with people we know that also have chosen to school their children. We asked them all the questions-
Why are you making more work for yourself?
What does your typical day look like?
What curriculum do you use? Why?
Can I take a peek at your set-up?
We finished our research with an unexpected understanding of schooling. Why shouldn’t we teach our kids at home? When did the public school system become the norm for our society? Why does everyone assume the education of children has to look the way our government says it needs to look? Why do a few leaders in the area of education get to set the standards for my kids when God has given me a right and responsibility to see to their growth and development?
My husband and I were both raised in the public school system and we see nothing wrong with it. We minister to students that attend a public school. We deeply respect the teachers that work tireless hours within the buildings of schools and who are impacting the lives of hundreds of kids all the time! Our decisions are not based on the ins and outs of our local schools- but simply on the reasons I listed above. Each family has to choose what schooling best suits their needs- homeschooling fits us best!
In conclusion, I think www.confessionsofahomeschooler.blogspot.com said it perfectly as she quotes from “Romans 12:2 "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." I had to let go of preconceived notions of what I thought homeschooling looked like and realize that I do not answer to this world, but to Christ.”
