I Couldn't Do It ...

Often when I tell people we homeschool our three children, I get a somewhat dismissive ‘Well, I sure couldn’t do it,’ response.  I’d like to use this forum to reply.

Emotionally, sending them to school would be tough.  Simply put, I like having them around.  My kids are smart and clever, each with a distinct personality.  (See Madeline’s blog, here and here, for examples)  We have fun together.  Last night, for example, our supper table discussion, centered on Henry’s proposed scenario – “If you were stranded at sea on a floating cookie, would you starve and stay afloat, or eat the cookie and drown?” 

But, I don’t want to give the impression that it’s total jocularity at our house.  It certainly isn’t.  Having a 13 year old girl, 9 year old boy and 4 ½ year old girl in the same house all day with each other can lead to, uh, plenty of tension.  Some days, I feel like I spend most of the day, um, raising my voice.  But then, just when I’m ready to pull my hair out, I’ll see Madeline working with the other 2, making a video.  Or, Henry will be reading a book to Grace at the top of the stairs.  Then, my heart turns to mush and I’m so glad they have this time to get to be with each other and learn to truly love one another (even if they don’t always like each other.)

However, our decision to homeschool is based on much more than just my sentimentality.  As my friend Mary asserts,  “since we live in a world that has largely rejected God, since so many are actively anti-Christian, we as parents need to gather our children to us and hold them close. Fill them with God's Word and hold them close”  In our particular situation, we believe that the best way to educate our children is at home.

It is our conviction that God has called this family, at this point in time, to homeschool.  We’ve prayed that He would lead us to do His will.  We’ve prayed that our pride wouldn’t keep us from sending them to school, if that’s where He wanted them.  We’ve prayed that if He wanted us to send them to school, He would give us a clear indication.  We continue these prayers, and others, for His guidance.  And He continues to answer.  Not through any lightning bolts or burning bushes.  But by giving us a feeling of peace and a sense of resolve.

I am so grateful that this is the path God chose for use.  It hasn’t always been easy, and  I know we’ll still have struggles, but I believe that the roughest times are behind us.  I also know that homeschooling is not for everyone.  It can be difficult, costly, and is a huge commitment.  If both parents aren’t committed to homeschooling, it’s probably not your calling. 

One benefit of taking the less-travelled path of homeschooling, is that I’ve gained a greater appreciation of God’s design for families.  Each situation is different and every set of parents has the right to make the decision that works for them.

So, if you’re convinced that you can’t homeschool, that’s okay. 

Just please respect my position that I couldn’t not homeschool.