Why Homeschool?

The number one question I have received recently is - "Why homeschool?" More specifically, "why are YOU going to homeschool?" Well, at first, I had a hard time telling anyone... I had a hard time committing to the idea of homeschooling.... I still have a back door plan that if "I don't like it" then we will just go back to a local Christian school.

So - here's "why":
5 You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. 6 And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. Deuteronomy 6:5-7

For me, that is "why." I want to teach them about God's world and his love, and how to live in God's world. I am sure many good teachers could teach them. The difference I see is that I love them, AND GOD GAVE THEM TO ME AND MY HUSBAND. God chose me to be a mother to Sweet Pea, Pumpkin, and Squash. No one could care more about their education than my husband and myself.

It is interesting that verse 5 is known as the greatest commandment in the whole Bible. However, we just don't pay attention to the the FACT that God wants us to teach his words to our children all the time.

I went to a meeting by Classical Conversations. I knew right away that it was the right place and the right decision to homeschool. I had been feeling God press up on my heart to teach them. The meeting started with a lady reading these verses that have been heavy on my heart for a long time. I just felt it was the right choice for our family, and my Prince Charming thinks so to.

After all, aren't all parents "homeschool parents?" Who taught your child to talk, walk, etc.? Perhaps that was the responsibility of a day care worker, grandparent or you just weren't around, but it saddens me if you missed some of those early "firsts." No matter what choice you make whether it is public school, private school, day care, or homeschooling - only the parent can be responsible and accountable to God about how they raise their child. So, I want to do the best job I can raising my children, and this is the best way I know to see that they get a great education, and learn to love God with all their heart, soul and strength. I know I was not ready to jump off this "cliff" and away from mainstream just a short year ago. So, if you think I am crazy, perhaps you will be homeschooling in a year! Believe me, I never, never thought this would be God's desire for my family.

We had a lot of firsts - the first day of Pumpkin's preschool, and Sweet Pea's first day of homeschooling in second grade. How did it go? Pumpkin loved school. He had a great day. Sweet Pea had a great start to homeschooling, and was finished with her day's work in record time. It is quite an adjustment to go from private school to a different change of education style. I am more concerned in whether she understands the material I am teaching, and not as interested in whether she can complete a worksheet. I know it will take some time for us to create our normal working daily pattern, but it will be worth it. Keep us in your prayers.

p.s. Pumpkin did not take his "blankie" into school... he left it on his car seat for the ride home!