Reasons We "Keep On Keepin' On" With Homeschooling

Not too long ago, I'd had it with homeschooling.

I was in the first trimester of a particularly sickly (for me) pregnancy.  I had absolutely no desire to teach or even think about schooling our children.

I lobbied my husband (which happens to be appropriate since he's a local politician ;) ) numerous times to send them to school.  I'm pretty sure I would have signed them up had he agreed (he says I wouldn't have...guess we'll never know.)

How thankful I am for him!  He's so unchanging and steady and knows how I can be - ready to try something else, especially when I'm weak.

He assured me that our kids were doing just fine during this period of time that I was unable to continue on with our curriculum.  I knew they were learning how to do the laundry and the dishes and be servants to their mother who laid on the couch most days.  He also pointed out some things that I'd have to do if we sent them to school - things that I currently didn't have to stress over (and I'm not just talking about having to unload the dishwasher by myself.  ;) )

Putting the silverware away - you can tell I didn't have him pose for this pic.  ;)

He told me I'd soon feel better (as in my other pregnancies) and I may even enjoy homeschooling again.

You know what?  He was right.

We've completed four weeks of school (since I was sick) and overall it has gone really, really well.

But, I know how it feels to not want to continue. 

I know how it feels to desire that the "burden" of educating your children fall on someone else's shoulders. 

I know how it feels to have homeschooling be perceived as a burden and not as a blessing.

I also know how it feels to be on the other side.  The wondrous other side where I find almost everything about homeschooling alluring.

My feelings can be rather unpredictable at times.  I can't make decisions based on my moods.  (Shocking, I know.)

So, when I'm feeling down in the dumps about homeschooling, I need to remind myself of why we do this counter-cultural thing in the first place.

Below are some of the reasons we have chosen homeschooling over other educational options (in no particular order).   

Disclaimer:  I've always hesitated to put our reasons down online because I have so many close friends and family that have chosen other educational options.  However, I hope they know by now that I respect them and trust that the Lord is leading each of them in their decisions.  That said, These are OUR family's reasons.  This isn't a judgement on your educational decisions.  (You can read this link and know that my hope has never been in homeschooling.)  Just as you probably have a list of reasons you send your child to his or her school, this is a list to HELP ME REMEMBER our reasons when I'm feeling extra low.  

* We desire our children to have a foundation that is based upon godly morals and principles - an education that does not take the Creator out of the created.  In our house, every subject ties back to the Creator God.

* We knew that I could most likely develop stronger bonds with our children if they weren't separated from me every day for 7-8 hours.  Also, the kids could develop stronger bonds with each other seeing as how they have no choice BUT to play with each other for the majority of each day.  Even if they'd rather not...  ;)

Youngest with Oldest

* Private school is expensive.  We didn't ask, "is Private school worth the cost?"  We asked, "is Private school worth having me go back to work?"  For our family, the answer was, "No."  We knew we could teach the same (or similar) "stuff" for a fraction of the cost while still maintaining our desire and conviction to have me stay home.

* Our immature children don't need to be around other immature children for 7-8 hours per day, every day with very little mature adult interaction.  I was a teacher.  As much as I enjoyed those kids and would have liked to give them my attention, it couldn't always happen.  Short conversations with pats on the head here and there were par for the course.  I felt badly that I couldn't help direct and "love on" them more, but it just wasn't possible.

* I enjoy being around my kids and they like being around me right now too.  I didn't feel like giving that up so soon.

* We can tailor their education to their needs.  Also, with only a handful of students, it doesn't take all day to teach them what they need to learn.  They have more time for exploration, life-skills training, volunteering...or more important things like, shooting each other with Nerf guns.  ;)

* We can vacation when we so desire.  We can also take the day off when it's warm in the Spring or when we stayed up too late with friends.  We can do school while everyone else has a snow day, decide to take a snow day when no one else has one, or take the day off when our friends are also off.  In short, the word FREEDOM sums it up rather nicely.

Went on a work trip with Nate during the week in mid Sept. and surprised the kids with an overnight stay at an indoor water park.

I'm sure there are more reasons that we have chosen to homeschool, but those are the ones that immediately come to my mind.

So, when I'm feeling like I don't want to continue or I'm just in a "homeschool funk", I hope to re-visit these reasons (and even these reasons).  Maybe they'll help give me the right amount of encouragement to...

Keep on Keepin' On.  

P.S.  I don't think it's a good idea to homeschool in a bubble with just your immediate family.  Homeschoolers should be part of a real, live community (online community is good, but not as good as live relationships).  We are part of a church family that has those who homeschool and those who don't.  We're also part of a large homeschooling group that does field trips and play dates.  This gives us accountability and encouragement.  Community is so important. 

If you want to read more of my thoughts on homeschooling, you may be interested in:
how we deal with the dreaded Socialization question,
or how we overcame our disagreement about how we'd educate our kids,
or even how we organize our homeschool.

Blogs, Bathrobes, and Homeschooling

I thoroughly enjoy reading about homeschooling.  Learning about different approaches and ideas inspires me.  I can't wait to watch videos on homeschooling blogs where the mom shows how her super organized homeschool is set up or how they go about their daily tasks.  I soak up so many ideas and suggestions, wondering how I can incorporate more of this and a little of that into our homeschool days. 
 
I admire how different families keep order in their school days.  I admire the structured schedules and have fun brainstorming how what I just saw or read could work in our house.  I have high ideals, especially at the beginning of each school year, of how our homeschool will run.  I relish printing, laminating, and organizing my teaching materials (and having the kids help!) in preparation for what is to come.

And then, as the school year progresses, I have many days that look something like this...

Instead of getting up before everyone awakes (exercising, showering, and doing devotions by candlelight while drinking steaming tea), I open my eyes to a warm, footy-pajama clad two-year-old who has crawled into my bed.  After snuggling for a while, multiple children begin calling out my name for various reasons which lets me know that it's time to get out of bed.  I don my bathrobe and pad into the kitchen, well aware of yesterday's dinner dishes that didn't fit in the dishwasher...

To read the rest, head on over to Heart of the Matter Online!

Linked up to The Homeschool Village 
and the Hip Homeschool Hop

January Pictures

This is what we've been up to...in no particular order:

 Sledding at the Dunes

 Finally got back into doing school every day.  Good-bye sickly first trimester.  :)

 He's totally "clinging to his guns and religion."

 He can write his name (sometimes)!

 Aww...

Always making us laugh!!! 

My mom gave me some flat stones to write on.  Fun idea!

The kids were helping me assemble their new Task Card System from The Unlikely Homeschool.  They are really enjoying it!  It has helped them know what they need to do next without me having to tell them.  Thanks, Jamie!

Emilia noticed these Cardinals the other day just outside our dining room window.  So pretty!

Here are the kids working on their lapbooks for the Ben Franklin Download N Go unit study by Amanda Bennett.  Such a great study!  They learned a ton and even made a poster for a "Display Fair" that our homeschool group is having this week (pictured below.)

Cookie decorating time...

Linked up to the Hip Homeschool Hop

For All the People with Fingerprints

I am originally over at Shannon Popkin's blog on this day, the 40th anniversary of Roe v. Wade.  

You can read my article there...or below

 

By the way, I wrote the following article a couple weeks ago, so I am now in my second trimester.  :) 

 

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I'm quickly approaching the second trimester of my pregnancy and have really enjoyed getting the babycenter.com updates in my inbox.  The kids and I read them together and watch the video about how our baby is developing.

The most recent development at 13 weeks is tiny fingerprints.  God has given this 3-inch-long baby sweet little fingers with unique fingerprints on each one.  These fingerprints will be used to identify this child in the future.

Isn't that amazing?!  A tiny human being is growing inside of my body and, at this moment, looks complete--with fingers and toes and eyelids and spine and heart...a miniature human.  My precious baby can squint, rub his eyes, and kick around in his safe, warm home.

Did you know that 88% of abortions take place during this first trimester?  Babies, with fingerprints and kicking legs, are ripped apart and thrown in the trash because their parents choose death over life.

 

Approximately 55 million babies have been murdered by abortion since 1973.  That's over nine times the number of Jews murdered during the Holocaust (6 million).  

As Americans march on, proudly choosing death for their children, they are accepted and applauded. Politicians continue to pass laws to protect the woman's right to rule her own body and that of her unborn and unwanted children.  Hail pro-choice.

But no one, when these babies are discarded like so many bloody rags, takes the time to bend down and look at the tiny fingerprints which will never identify these children.

Oh God, forgive us. Turn us toward you, the maker and creator of each fingerprint.  May we see our great sin--the sin of killing or the sin of saying, "I can't do anything about it." Please help us to see that this crime scene which stretches across America is covered in our fingerprints. Help us to repent of our apathy and fight for liberty and justice for all the people with fingerprints.

Sharing Your Husband's Dreams

I read this post today and thought it held such wisdom that I wanted to pass it on.

It's about respecting your husband and taking an interest in what he enjoys.  

Nate and I ready to go on a date!  I didn't have to cut up anyone's food.  ;)

 "The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down."  Proverbs 14:1

Giveaway

I'm not one to normally enter contests, but these sound pretty fun to me!  And I'm helping get the word out about one of my favorite "mommy" authors.  Win, win.  :)

What is it today?  A spa weekend in Colorado with Sally Clarkson and Sarah Mae, authors of the new book, Desperate.

Go here to see the details!

Sally Clarkson's New Book

I think I've read most of Sally Clarkson's books and really have enjoyed them, especially, The Ministry of Motherhood.  Wow.  What an encouraging, challenging book for all mothers to read.

I'm looking forward to reading her new book, Desperate.  The launch of her book and all the fun giveaways are posted today on her blog!  Head on over to see what it's all about.

 Happy Monday!