Our girls, Curly & Georgie, are 4 and 2. Curly is in Christian PreK right now and she loves it. Both girls enjoy being read to and Curly & I have recently made a game of writing her letters or numbers, identifying them, trying to sound them out and more on the big Magna Doodles she got for Christmas.
So when I felt like God was saying that as part of the Mothering experience for me may include homeschooling, I laughed. (Yep, call me Sarah.)
Who, ME? God – do you know who you are talking to here? Me? Miss Love it for 3 weeks and then lose it somewhere in the house? Me – miss plant the garden (late) and not reap all the goodies. Me – miss fall in love with a product only to toss it out 6 weeks later.
Me – Miss Love The Thrill of the New Experience, Tolerate It Until Its Gone. Really, Me? Every single semester with Liberty University Online I’ve threatened to quit. Seriously.
So I’ve been investigating, asking questions, reading curriculum reviews, and talking to some homeschool moms. In fact, I’ll be meeting with some next week, and have some interviews prepared for blog posts to come. I know my nature – I know my inclination to jump in full swing and then lose steam…
So when my husband mentioned his concern that I would follow my pattern with homeschooling – well, it hurt my feelings. But only for a minute. He wasn’t being mean – it’s a valid concern and he did everything he could to be gentle about it.
But it’s true. I am that way.
Sometimes.
While I do threaten to quit going to school every semester since I started my Bachelor’s – I haven’t yet. And I’m mapping out the next few semesters to see how and when I will complete my degree. Despite last semester’s difficulties with Algebra (which I will get to retake) and the miscarriage.
While it is sometimes challenging, I’ve been a pretty committed blogger for 4 years now – and love it. That may not seem like much to some people – but it’s a big deal for me. Blogging is hard work some times – and building a blog with good content challenges me – even if its not the most popular blog out there or if I don’t always do everything right all the time.
My husband’s comment hurt because I believed the worst about myself – for just a moment. He didn’t say it’s what WOULD happen, he was just concerned it might.
I laughed at the first notion of homeschooling BECAUSE I know myself and my tendencies. It’s not a small thing to take your child’s education into your own hands – when it can be so easy to relinquish it to “trained professionals” and just do my part when she’s home. Of course, I want the best education for each of my children, and of course I have questions and concerns about homeschooling myself.
But I do think God challenged me – whatever the outcome – because He wants me to EMBRACE my role as Mother to my children. It is as much about committing to raise them up in a way that honors God as they learn and grow – whether they continue with their Christian education outside the home – or not. And even if my husband leads us in a different direction, I will trust that He is following God – even if it’s a different path than I might have chosen.
That does not make him the bad guy – it makes him the Husband & Father he is called to be – and my role is to be the Wife & Mother I am called to be – whether my children get their education at home or in school.
Homeschooling is a challenge to consider – given my current “plate”. It’s a challenge to consider – given my Sanguine penchant for fun. It’s a challenge to consider – given the strong (my husband calls it “dominant”) natures of each of my very different girls. and their mother who is much the same.
But it’s not an impossible challenge given my faith in God, my husband’s feet planted in practical reality, and my love for my children.
And maybe God just wants me to trust Him more – wherever He leads us…
More to come…
To see what’s going on with the other Company Girls this week, visit Home Sanctuary by clicking the pretty link below:
About Debbie T
Welcome to my blog. Grab a latte and settle in for a good read! I'm Debbie - aka The Queen Mommy. I'm really just a Right-Brained woman who loves God, her husband, and her three children. I This means I'd rather write than clean... I enjoy writing about family & home, faith & life, marriage & parenting, food & addiction. I do participate in affiliate programs and use affiliate links and graphics throughout my blog. If you follow a link and make a purchase, I may make a small commission to help support my family at home. Click here for my Disclosure Policy.
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Isn’t it funny sometimes the road where God wants to lead us is far from where we want to go? He has His way of doing things. Don’t try to stop Him if that’s what He’s calling you to do. And from my experience, He never gives as more than we can handle. He’s cool like that. Thanks for sharing about the possible journey that’s coming up.
Well good for you for considering. No, homeschooling is not easy and anyone who goes into it thinking so will be in for a rude awakening. But it is worth it – you and I are much the same. I begin things only to quit a short time later. I am glad I began doing formal lessons with my daughter at the age of 3, because it prepped me to be grounded and disciplined to keep going as she became school age.
Granted, there are still improvements that can be made – like I need to be better prepared each day (by doing it the evening before). I often find myself scrambling around for materials or reading over things that should’ve been done already. True, homeschooling requires discipline. But it is something that can be learned and MUST be bathed in prayer.
YOU CAN DO IT! I know you can! You just have to believe in yourself and believe in the One who has equipped you for such a mission. Always look to him for guidance and help – He is always there. (((hugs)))
Thanks for stopping by today. I loved your candor here about schooling issues and the faith they require. My husband and I have decided not to home school (for now), but I admire those who do. Sometimes I admire them so much that I question our decision. Most of our church friends home school, as do several other families we respect. One thing that helped me was to write out all the advantages to homeschooling on one piece of paper, then writing the advantages to public schooling on another. There are benefits to either choice, and it helps me to know that we’ve come to our decision thoughtfully and prayerfully. Also, we’re not locked in to either path, should God direct us to do something different.
I like what Julia said – we aren’t locked into our decisions. Only prayer and listening will lead you to the right path for your family.
I applaud you for being open to the idea of homeschooling! My mom homeschooled 4 kids during our early childhood before she went back to teaching in a private school (and later in the public school system), and I don’t know how she did it! However, I strongly believe that it gave me such a good foundation for my future, and I’m very grateful that she did it. It was what was right for that season of our lives, but later it wasn’t, and my parents were open to whatever each season required. I’m rambling, but I just want to encourage you in your endeavors. Consistency is something I struggle with as well. (Love your blog layout, btw)
I can definitely relate to jumping into things, fully enthusiastic only to have it slow to a trickle. If this is where God is leading you, though, he will supply all of the longevity that you need for the task
You are so right, homeschooling is a challenge but definitely NOT an impossible one. I started my homeschooling adventure when my oldest was in first grade and my youngest was 2. Now, my oldest is a mom to a 1 year old sweet boy and my youngest is a freshman in college (there’s another in between who is in her last year of college). Homeschooling gave us so many extra “together” memories that I would not trade for the world. My kids are the best of friends. The time (17 years) flew by!!
I’ve been homeschooling for probably a good 10 years. It is not always easy. You have your good days and your not so good days. But it is so worth it!
Hope you have a great weekend!
Karen
I’ve toyed with the idea of Homeschooling (mine are roughly 5.5, 3.5 and 1.5 years old). But I have no idea how I’d fit it in my day. It’s already full of making three meals, making snacks for those that need a snack (the younger two) and general tidy up.
That said, I DO do some sort of homeschooling even though my eldest is in SK at a public school. I’ve taught colours, letters, read to them all the time, crafts, etc. It’s a parents responsibility to teach their children, but it’s also the parents decision if they want to go all the way or have the school system contribute to their kids learning.
Good luck with whatever you choose
If God calls you to this, He will help you make it happen. The first couple years were hard for me. But once I embraced it as just something we are doing, part of our lives, part of us being a family, part of my “mom job,” and when I didn’t look back, when I didn’t dream of sending them to school, it became easier. And easier.
Yes, life is a tad different with all the children at home with me 24/7. But we make it happen and it’s GOOD. And remember, too, homeschooling is not school at home. It’s YOUR home, and you school how you choose.
I just want to encourage you to know that if God wants you to homeschool, He’ll give you the strength, energy, wisdom and all the tools and resources you need.
My husband and I felt the same way about me when we started. We’re half way through our fifth year.
My kids WANT to do school so much that I don’t have a choice but to get it done with them! They don’t ‘allow’ me to miss days! LOL!
Rooh – I just want to address your comment. What will you do when you send them to school, whether private or public, and you’re on a strict schedule of when things need to be done? You have to be up at a certain time, make both breakfast and lunch at the same time, get backpacks packed, kids dressed and on the bus or in the car… Then you have 7 hours, give or take, to get your house clean, run errands, make dinner, maybe shower yourself, get dressed, the list goes on and on and on and make sure you’re home by or at the school by a certain time to pick them up? Not to mention any extra-curricular activities. As a PSer you have WAY LESS time to get anything done than if you homeschool.
Queen Mommy – good luck in your family’s decision making!!!
If God is calling you to homeschool, He will equip you to do it and stick with it. I have not always WANTED to homeschool, I have not always LIKED homeschooling, but there has not been one minute that I regretted it.
It is tough and exhausting and frustrating. But when you get to hear your child read their first word or finally figure out that tough problem, it is so worth it!
Now is the best time to start homeschooling because your kiddos are so young. Right now you just need to make it fun and simple. Mine are 5 & 6. The best advice I’ve gotten is grow with your kids. Start very slowly while they are young (like 3 days a week, 1.5hrs each day) and progress when they are ready. I stopped cramming 1st grade material to my then 4 yr old DD and we were both happy.
The second best is belong to a strong Christian homeschool league. Surround yourself with moms homeschooling 8 kids and they help motivate you. It’s such an awesome calling! Plus you can do it ANY way you want to do it.
I’ll be praying for you!
I have never been called to homeschool, but I have many friends who are and have done it beautifully. I also have watched many struggle. And some who homeschool for a season. I think that, as with any major decision like this, it’s a joint decision. I’ll just say for for us, it would not have been a good move for our marriage…but that is US, and that’s me wanting to honor my husband’s needs. But we’ve always had sideline issues that made homeschooling not a real option…AND we’ve had good (great) public schools available. That’s huge.
I know that the Lord will lead you and will give you everything you need for what He is calling you to do. I simply encourage you to remember that there are definitely “seasons of life” and one schooling choice for now may not be the right one 3 years from now…..so don’t add guilt to yourself if things change in the future. Any way you slice it, you will be amazed at what God will do!!
Don’t worry, you’re not in charge! God is in charge, like always. I tend to forget that. Exactly 2 weeks before I found myself homeschooling I announced that I would NEVER homeschool my children. Not that I think homeschoolers are weird or any thing like that (I was homeschooled for 5 years myself, and well, I’m weird), BUT I wasnt’ sure I could do it. Now 4 years later, 1 1/2 more kids added to the school age(the 1/2 is the preschooler), we’re still going strong. Adding some gray hair, but going strong. It’s not easy, but it’s worth it. I have learned SO much since I’ve been teaching my kids and have had all the mental tumblers click into place over things I “learned” years ago, only now… miracle of miracles…. they make SENSE! Whoda thunk it?
You said your girls are very different… My 2 oldest sons are, too. One has social issues and the other is dyslexic. One’s a kinesthetic learner (has to be moving to learn and more hands on types) the other absorbs like a sponge. That was a little bit of a doozy to get around, but we make it. You just adapt. Lol.. and my youngest, he’s just a mess. Too smart for his own good and mine, too.
Just remember this… these words have gotten me many miles in my homeschool journey… : God doesn’t call the equipped, He equips the called. And, Sister, THAT is the truth.
If this is what the Lord calls you to do, He’ll light the way, provide the knowledge/supplies/other character traits you don’t have but desperately need (Lol.. I have NO idea about that one… har de har har.) And He will place people in your path to lift you up. Just listen to what He tells you and you’ll know. Rootin’ for ya!
I SO appreciate all of your comments, your encouragement, your experience. This is no simple decision and it does require much prayer – not just now, but every day of our lives as parents. What we teach at home – whether it be “formal” education or not – is critical. The lives we live, the examples we set – are all part of teaching our children about the important things in life…
I’ve been home-educating since my oldest started K-5, it’s been 8 years. When I started I had 3 children and now I’ve got 5. I wouldn’t trade for anything the time I’ve had with and will have with my children. I agree it is hard, frustrating, tiring and there are many days I’d like to put in my 2 weeks notice. I can’t ever find anyone who’ll take it
BUT the blessings are too many to name. Plus I’ve learned so much about myself which has caused growth spiritually and personally.
Two important things have already been said…”God doesn’t call the equipped he equips the called” So very true and I’m a living example of that!
Secondly…”School is not school at home…” One of my biggest struggles has been getting past the classroom mentality. Our children learn in many ways. Trying to fit the classroom into our homes just doesn’t work. The Lord will help you figure out what works best for your family if you and your hubby decide to take this trip.
Finally…In a book I read as I began my HS journey the advice from the author was, “…Don’t ever compare yourself or your home-school to anyone else.” Your family dynamics, personalities, needs, and abilities are different from everyone else. I struggle with that one too. I think every HS mom does.
When I first started and was asked how long I planned on HSing I would reply, “We’re taking it one year at a time.” Now my response is different. I’m in it for the long haul as long as the Lord permits! And my oldest two often ask me if I can home school them in college…That makes me laugh!
Praying for you as you make this decision for your family!
I would never, ever have seen myself as a homeschooler if someone had broached the subject 10 years ago. Me? I don’t wear birkenstocks! I don’t live on a commune! I’m not afraid of the world! Well, silly me! Home schooling is mainstream…lots and lots of “normal-ish” people home school and do so because they love it and they love being with their children. Homeschooling is NOT like traditional school unless you make it like traditional school. Your children already learn with you, each and every day. It doesn’t take 6 hours of undivided focus each day to homeschool. Oh, and those moments where you try something and don’t stick with it? You’ll bring your children along with you and each one of those will be a new experience and maybe, just maybe, when you see how much they love it (like gardening), you’ll find a reason to stick with it and reap the rewards. Don’t be surprised to find yourself feeling sorry for those moms who gleefully say “Yes, summer is almost over and my kids will head back to school. I can hardly wait for them to go.”
While we’re on the subject of Visit with the Queen Mommy » Blog Archive » Homeschool! Who, Me? You’ve Got to Be Kidding!, It’s a good idea to take the time to look at home school curriculum reviews before buying a curriculum. You can find revisions on particular programs you are interested in. You will also discover the latest reviews on a variety of current programs as well.