The Path Less Traveled....

I think that it is interesting that people are so taken back by homeschoolers. The fact that we homeschool is not something that we make public. Simply for the fact that people have all kinds of whacked out assumptions about homeschoolers. I do not grow my own grain and grind into flour. I do not make our clothes. I do not do those things because I haven't the time!!! But often wish I did. We have even had people find out we homeschool and "gently" cut ties with us. Which is totally absurd- in my opinion. I am an educator by trade and I chose the path less traveled.

So here it is to the great void out there...Reasons why we homeschool:

1. I like my kids. I really like my kids.

2. I take the charge in Deuteronomy 6 seriously. It is hard to talk about the love of God when they are at school for 8 hours a day and overly involved in sports or other outside activities for the rest of the day.

3. It's fun.

4.I feel called by God to be doing this.

5. I think I should protect my children while they are young from the world. I want them to be salt and light...but I need to teach them how to be that first.

6. I think that I can do a better job than someone who doesn't know the heart of my boys can do.

7. I think that schools are scary places. For a number of different reasons.

That by no means is an exhaustive list...I could go on and on. I know that there are GREAT schools and teachers out there. I know that there are Christians in the schools...but I really think that it is my job to instruct them, to teach them right from wrong, a values system based on what God wants and expects of us. I think that my kids are more than a test score or a reading grade or how well he stands in line, or how nice he is because he remembers to push in his chair when he stand up. My kids are great because they were created in image of the living God. They are not perfect...but their God is. And his beauty is seen in them daily...when I take the time to look for it. I am not raising a scientist or a sports star or a doctor...I am raising workers for God's kingdom who may be a scientist or a sports star or a doctor.

My house is a wreck. I have crumbs on the floor. I have sticky spots on the table. Unfolded laundry is a common sight here. But make no doubt about it...we have fun together. We play, we laugh. We read under the tree on a blanket on nice days. We chalk our ABC's or spelling words or maybe even math problems on the driveway. We do science experiments and we make a big mess doing it. We make a secret cave in the bedroom with sheets and bunk beds and we read in there with flashlights. We go to zoos, corn maizes, we make boats and go float them in creeks. We rake leaves for neighbors who can't. We go sing songs and visit nursing homes. We visit the library, the fire station, the post office, the news station. We play dictionay games. We go to parks and go bowling. We play board games, card games, read joke books, read science books, and we read the news paper. We don't get caught up in grades...Skipper hasn't a clue about that stuff. He just keeps working until he gets it. I don't have to rush him through because everyone else is ready to go on. I also don't have to wait and hold him back when he is ready to move on. We go at our own pace. He thinks tests are FUN! How many regular school kids wake up and ask..." Is it time for me to take my test now!??"

Yes, homeschooling a 7, 5, 3, and 1 year old is hard work. Yes, getting to therapy and then getting the school work in can be tough sometimes...but motherhood is not for wimps.

Every family gets to pick the path they think is best for their family. What is best for us may not be best for you. And I am okay with that? Are you? I am fine with the choice we made. I don't think that it is the choice for everyone. But if I can extend that kind of grace to you...why can't you extend it back to me?

"Thump, thump" (that is me getting off of my soap box)