Why We Homeschool

Let me start by saying this, I do not judge families for choosing public schools or for not homeschooling.  I was in the public school system a long time.  I sent my first child to public school.  I understand there are families that cannot rely on one income.  I also know there are mothers that enjoy working.  There was a time I would never have thought of homeschooling.  What made us change our minds?

Around two years ago, I was teaching third grade, and I was home on Christmas vacation.  My break was drawing to an end and I dreaded going back.  I dreaded being away from my children.  I dreaded the long days of work.  I dreaded only being able to spend 4-5 hours a day with my children.  I dreaded knowing that my children were going back to practically being raised by someone else.  I dreaded knowing that I would be coming home exhausted and still had to cook, clean, and muster any energy that was left to play with the children.  But, inevitably, I knew those days were coming again. 

One night after putting the girls to bed I told my husband through tears, and not for the first time, that I wanted to stay home.  I didn't care what we had to do, I wanted to stay home.  If we had to downsize our home, or sell a vehicle, or live on dried beans until the children were grown, I was willing to do it.  I wanted to be the one to train my children.

"Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it." Proverbs 22:6

I desperately want my children to know the Lord.  I want them to crave His word.  I want them to seek His face and beg for mercy.  I knew that I could not train my children up in the Lord and teach them His ways only spending 4-5 hours a day with them.  And actually, this time was really just spent at home, not with them.  I had clothes to fold, dishes to wash, food to cook, and baths to give.  God laid it on my heart that I should be with them.  I shouldn't be a stay-at-home wife who keeps the house clean while the kids are at school for the day.  He let me know that I should be the one training them...every day...all day.

The more my husband and I discussed it, the more questions we had about homeschooling.  The most obvious question we had is still the question that gets asked to us by most people: What about the social aspect of our children's lives?  At the beginning, I was very concerned about this.  Would my children really grow up without a prom? Or homecoming? Or school sports?  I was still determined to stay home with my children, but I was actually very sad for them.  Then one day while reading other homeschooling blogs, I came across a lady (sorry, I have no idea who to give credit to for this one because I have looked at so many!!) who really said something that spoke to me.  She said people asked her a lot if she was worried about her kids socializing.  She explained that the type of socializing her kids would receive in public school is exactly what she was trying to avoid.  I don't want my children to be hermit crabs that are kept inside, but at the same time, I want their beliefs and faith to be based on truth, not what they learn or hear from others.  I want them to understand the importance of family.  I want them to appreciate the relationships that are developed within the family.  I laugh to myself because there is not a day that goes by that I do not hear an argument (or two, or three) between my oldest two girls.  One of them won't be the prince, or one of them has the other one's toy, or one of them is being a copy-cat.  But I find that I have the advantage to stop and teach them how to handle these situations according to what the Bible says.  We have joined a homeschooling group, but have yet to do anything with them.  We are still so busy.  Between soccer, holidays, family events, family outings, Bible studies in which the kids all get together as well, we are extremely busy!  Our children receive plenty of socializing, but it's 'monitored socializing' (I wonder if I should coin that phrase??)

I hope I answered the question of why our family chooses to homeschool.  First and foremost, we want our children to be trained in the ways of the Lord.  I love teaching them.  I absolutely love it.  I am able to use what I have done for so many years to teach my children what I know is important.  I am not stressed.  I am not as tired.  I did, however, have dreams of having this spectacular, spotless house to go along with the homeschooling thing, but I'm still working on that ; )