Yeah, I Home School
I love being able to home school my kids. There are so many reasons I love it that it would take far too long to name and explain them. So, here’s a little photo journal of my adventures as home school mom. It’s also good for me to look back at these on not-so-great days and remember why I keep on keepin’ on.
Commonly asked questions and comments I get about homeschooling and my (sometimes smart alec) answers:
1) Why do you homeschool your children?
It’s kind of a long story. I’ll try to put the Reader’s Digest condensed version here. About four years ago, when my oldest child was ready for kindergarten, I enrolled him in the local public elementary school like all normal red-blooded Americans. Within a matter of days, however, I was plagued by a heavy conviction from God to “cancel” our enrollment at the local school and homeschool instead. My husband and I both agreed to pray and see what God laid on our hearts.
After wrestling in prayer one evening about the issue, I knew what I had to do. Homeschool. I reluctantly gave in and humbled myself to God’s will. I knew nothing about homeschool, had no formal materials or curriculum, and had a whole lot of doubts. I just trusted God and prayed He would help me figure out the rest.
The next day, God proved his faithfulness. When I arrived at Bible study a wonderful woman of God I knew showed up with a brand new Hooked On Phonics curriculum she never used to give to me, saying that God told her to bring it to me. No joke. I’m still thankful and amazed at the way God worked that day.
Another big concern for our family is the lack of and attack of Christian values and education in the public school system. Here’s a list of links with information about this topic if you’re interested:
Voddie Baucham interview with many good points on homeschooling
Radical Sex Education-Is Your School Next?
Hidden Ideologies of Sex Education
Parental Rights in Education-Constant Vigilance Needed
A Major Force in Education-Homeschooling In America
Should Parents Take Their Children Out of Public Schools?
2) Aren’t there laws about how to homeschool your kids?
In Michigan, where I homeschool, there is very little legal restriction on homeschoolers. Thank God! I recommend the HSLDA website if you’re intersted in learning more about the legal aspect of homeschooling in your particular state.
3) Do you ever get a break from your kids?
My kids aren’t so awful that I feel like I need “breaks” from them. They have quiet times and find ways to keep themselves busy at different parts of the day so I can blog, read my Bible, go the bathroom without an audience, etc. I don’t do anything to get away from them. I don’t need to. They are good kids and most of the time I really enjoy being around them. Honest.
4) What curriculum do you use?
We don’t use any one type of formal curriculum. I like Song School Latin, Latin for Children, workbooks by grade level, freebies from the internet, CurrClick.com resources, our backyard, everyday experiences, and anything cool I can find at the thrift store. Every homeschool family is different. We choose to be an eclectic mix of laid back activities, Classical, and Charlotte Mason.
5) Don’t you worry your children will miss out on prom/school sports/other over-rated school activity?
No. I attended public school and did all those things and don’t feel like they made me any better of a person than I am. My children have opportunities to participate in activities or hobbies they enjoy. We also don’t agree in guilt parenting and allowing each child to be in all sorts of activities out of fear of them “missing out” on something. It’s commonplace to see families trapped in a state of frenetic activity with little to no room left for quality family time. The real thing kids miss out on nowadays is time as a family.
You Know You’re A Home School Mom When…
You get to change more than diapers, you get to change their minds.
When a child busts a lip, and after seeing she’s okay, you round up some scotch tape to capture some blood and look at it under the microscope!
Your child will never suffer the embarrassment of group showers after PE.
The teacher gets to kiss the principal in the faculty lounge and no one gossips.
You are on a first name basis with the majority of local librarians.
You try to (quickly) capture the huge bee that was knocked unconscious as it accidentally flew into your car window, so the kids can classify and inspect it.
Your formal dining room now has a computer, copy machine, and many book shelves and there are educational posters and maps all over the walls.
(http://homeschooling.gomilpitas.com/humor/143.htm)
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Hilarious Tim Hawkins video, A Homeschool Family (parody of Addams Family Song) http://www.youtube.com/timhawkinscomedy#p/u/2/VM6uqj0_jQc
