A lot of people have asked us why we decided to homeschool. There are quite a few reasons and I usually just pick one and give that reason... but that doesn't give the whole picture. And, regretfully, many of the answers brought glory to me and not to God. So I thought that I really need to think it through and really get to the core of it.
Chris is the one who first mentioned the idea to me when Connor was very small and my first response was laughter. Then, after I realized he was serious, I gave a laundry list of reasons why we shouldn't homeschool based on a lot of misconceptions and stereotypes I had in my head. Like: I can't homeschool - I don't have the patience and I don't remember so much of the stuff I learned in school; and homeschool kids aren't socialized enough; and that doesn't work in with my plan to go back to work after the kids start school. Those are just a few. What I didn't realize then was that God had already begun speaking to his heart.
Over the next couple of years, this thought of homeschooling wouldn't leave my head. I felt the Lord really speaking to my heart and I began to do a little research. Well, that didn't help - there is SOOOO much info and so many choices, and I was completely overwhelmed. I prayed to my Father, "if this is Your will for our family, PLEASE lead the way because I don't think I can do this." I just continued to pray that prayer. As we were getting closer to Connor being preschool age, I still didn't have a plan, even after many, many hours of research. Then, I heard about Classical Conversations and went to an info session. I fell in love and felt the Lord really leading us down this path. So, we signed Connor up and it has been an enormous blessing! It has been the "spine" of our curriculum. We are also doing Handwriting Without Tears, some phonics through Starfall, and we are planning to start MathUSee soon.
There are so many great choices out there for homeschool families which is wonderful because every family and every child has different needs. If you've never checked out Classical Conversations, it is definitely worth looking into because it is flexible enough to cater to all learning styles. We LOVE it! I have no doubt it is what God wants for our family right now. He has led us down this path and without Him I know I would still be floundering.
I have come to realize that homeschooling is not for every family. For some it is not an option, and for others it is not where the Lord is leading them. God does good works through His children everywhere. We are just to prayerfully consider where we feel Him leading us and faithfully obey Him. So, the best answer I can give to those who ask us why we homeschool is... because that is what the Lord is leading us to do. We still have difficult days and I still face a lot of self doubt, but I take comfort in knowing that God is holding the reigns and He will see us through.
Here are some of my favorite links:
Classical Conversations
Starfall
File Folder Games
Handwriting Without Tears
Storynory
Story Cove
PBS Kids Go
Kabongo
