I was asked recently by a blog reader if we plan on homeschooling. I am also often asked this same question by friends and family members, so I thought I’d do a little post about it!
Short answer… YES! We absolutely plan on homeschooling.
I’ll pause here to give a little word: This post is not meant to offend anyone. I am not offended when I read blogs where they talk about their decision to send their children to public or private schools, and I have many friends and family members who have chosen those routes. I also know many amazing teachers, and I do not intend any offense by discussing our family’s personal decision to homeschool!
For those of you who don’t know, Tad went to a private Christian school K-12th. I went to a private Christian school K-4th and I was homeschooled 5th-12th. (My mom also homeschooled my brothers and is about to finish her 15th year of homeschooling! One more year to go!) Tad and I went to a Christian university, and obviously both come from families who believe strongly in the importance of Christian education!
Before we were married we discussed homeschooling and decided that it would be the way we would go with our family. We continue to talk about it, read about it, and dream about it. We are going to the Home Educators Association of Virginia annual convention this year (I went many times as a teen) and are SO pumped about the workshops and the shopping.
For us (and I believe this is the true spirit of home education), homeschooling does not mean “school at home.” Homeschooling gives freedom that is not offered in a classroom, so why do things exactly the way a school does them? Homeschooling is a way of life, not a curriculum, a schedule, or a stack of workbooks (though it can obviously include these things at times!).
We are excited about teaching our children from birth, and we don’t see a division between “school” and “not school.” All of the opportunities we have throughout the day give us a chance to teach our child (and future children).
We, of course, are still formulating our opinions about different curriculum options, but we already know we will be reading lots of real books! Tad and I both love to read, and we hope to instill that passion in our children as well.
Here are a few links to some great homeschooling articles (some of which I have mentioned before):
–Why Would Anyone Be Crazy Enough to Homeschool?
–Learning Days: Simply Homeschooling
–Why Sacrifice? After All, She’s Just Our Daughter!
–Homeschool Graduates and College: Real Success
–Homeschool 101: Read a Book
–I Try Not to Let School Get in the Way of Learning
I’m sure you’ll hear lots more from me in the future about homeschooling!
If you have children who are not school-aged yet, have you made a decision about their schooling?
Good for you! I do daycare in my home, so homeschooling really hasn’t been part of my plan (although deep down I would love to) as I am committed to being home all day. However, we do a preschool curriculum here and none of my girls did preschool and I LOVE seeing how well they are doing now. I know a big part of it is because of what they were getting at home:)
Cara
@CaraThat’s awesome about doing preschool at home… I’m sure that has been really wonderful for your girls and helped give them a jump start!
I love that first link!! I read that from Holy Experience yesterday and was soo encouraged!!
I think it’s awesome to already have the desire and begin to prepare your time with Vera. It’s amazing what kids can l;earn early adn how establishing daily patterns early help in establishing a “routine” when she’s older for more “structure”.
I knew your mom schooled your brothers. SOmehow I missed the fact that you were homeschooled, too:) Very cool to have your own experience and your mom’s model!!
Thank you for that post. As I said, my hubby and I are in prayer about homeschooling. Our local public school system is great, but it’s not one that is going to train our children to love and serve God. That is our big concern. We want our children to learn what God sees as important, not what the world sees as important. Our question, and prayer concern, is if it is even possible for us to train our kiddos according to God’s plan when they are in a public school 8 hours out of the day. 🙂 I look forward to hearing more from you about this subject.
Hello! My two children are in a very good public school now, and my husband and I plan on homeschooling them beginning in 5th grade according to the second phase of the Well Trained Mind. As of now we’re thinking we’ll leave it up to them which way they want to go for high school, after they’ve had a taste of both. My question is, how was your experience transitioning to homeschool? How do you look back now on your private school experience? Also, would you have chosen to go back to private school for high school if it were your choice? Sorry for all the questions…I guess I want them to have the best of both experiences, but in the end I’m hoping they’ll want to stick around with us for high school as well 🙂 Thanks for the post.
@AnonymousIf I could only homeschool for a couple of years, I would choose middle school! I think that is a VERY influential time in a child’s life, and I think it’s great that you are planning on homeschooling then. My transition to homeschooling (from private school) was great, and I think because I had both types of schooling I didn’t think “the grass is greener” when it came to going to school for high school. I loved being homeschooled, but even on hard days I knew that “school” (private or public) would have its problems as well. I remember having tons of homework in elementary school, as well as unfair teachers and some difficult relationships with peers. I never begged to go to school for high school since I knew that it wouldn’t make my life perfect either! But I definitely think it’s awesome that you’re going to homeschool for middle school. 🙂 Let me know if you have any more questions!
Aliesha, I’m sure you know already what a powerful impact your mother had on me when I was deciding what to do for my sons’ education. (Well, when Jeff and I were deciding!) I continually thank God for the way He used your mom’s words and example to guide me into the homeschooling path. I LOVE IT. I can’t overstate that, because I feel so strongly about it. Homeschooling has been a precious treasure for our family. I’m so excited to hear your plans for Vera, and maybe our paths will cross at the HEAV convention! 🙂
YEAH! Homeschooling Rocks!
Nich B.