Often on my journey I find myself in conversations about homeschooling. Schooling is my day job and bound to come up. I entered into parenting 10 years ago, and homeschooling seriously about 6 years ago. I have had those 6 years to pray, work and be consulted in doing the best job I can.
I am not any different from those of you that wake, dress and leave your home to a job. All of it takes diligence, perseverance, intention, striving, courage at times, study, reflection and consulting. I do have a consultant and private groups that I can turn to at any moment for coaching. I also spend my time helping others after I have walked the path. We all have support for each other, if we are willing to give and receive.
Many folks say they aren’t sure how I am able to do it. I can understand that. I also feel that I cannot do the jobs of others as well. For example, I could not or do not want to be a lawyer, a public school teacher, a wood worker, and an accountant to name a few. Those positions are just not on my radar. However, as I began to have children, Creator began to place on my radar that of teacher at-home. I had Never heard of homeschooling before a lady in my nearby town planted the seed in my heart. As time moved on and the children grew I found myself teaching them. I am my children’s first teacher after all. We all are teachers as parents, our children imitate us and learn from us.
At one point we put my oldest child in pre-school for 1 1/2 years, but we could see that even though the school was good, the experience was not working for us as a Whole family. I did not just consider my experience, or the oldest child’s experience, or my baby’s experience at the time, or dad’s. I considered All of our experiences, weighed them on my heart and mind, prayed daily and listened. Creator always showed me the path of peace. In the end, through all my doubt and questions, I found our way to peace through schooling at home. It works best for us.
I know many people believe there are many homeschooling parents that just do not do the work and give the good teachings to their children. It takes guidance through life and helping them to unfold. Well, I am most certain that is the case. I am also certain there are many parents with children in public and private school that are not able to guide their children and help them to unfold either. Many schools let children fall through the cracks. Many parents do as well. This is a fact because I meet them as adults and they tell me so. It does come down to the parents, and their healing and how they relate to their children. This is what I Love about my curriculum. It comes with work. Mama work. Teacher work. Family work. Marriage work. It All matters. Relationship. Connecting. Struggle and success. I have to do my work everyday. Not only do I have to study a lot, I have to get up before my children. I have to meditate, read, care for myself and pray.
Another thing on folk’s minds concerning homeschoolers is socialization. Homeschool children are very social, and some are not. I believe some of it has to do with temperament. I have met many private and public schooled children who are not social, but it is because they are introverts perhaps and just prefer one-on-one interactions or small groups, as opposed to large classrooms, big parties and so on. So, I feel it is the same for homeschoolers. My children are very social and loving creatures, but half of us are introverts, so we prefer small groups, one-on-one or the like. The other half of us are extroverts, there are five of us at home, so we always have each other. My children get opportunities at church or our other spiritual communities, the grocery, my husband’s open house night (trolley art hop), visiting grandparents and cousins, Valentine’s parties at the coffee shop, and well the list goes on. I also believe that children under 7 do not need to be overly socialized. Home is a good place. Rhythm is a good thing. This is just my experience and observation, as well as study.
There will always be some child or adult that lacks what they need, and it is up to the adult regardless to help make a change. There may not be guiding adults in some children’s lives as we can look around the world and our community and see, but hopefully there is some program or individual willing to go the extra mile to bring a smile, hope or inspiration. It is not for us to judge a persons experience, so much as discern whether we can help or not.
I am not writing this to convince anyone of anything. I don’t think that is necessary. However, I did want to write about my experiences and conversations with others. I speak with mama’s all the time who have terrible experiences out in public, or online where they are judged. And I speak with mamas’s who are out and about or conversate online with others and they feel very supported. This post is how I view life around homeschooling and navigating this particular path. If homeschooling is coming up over and over in your thoughts, then there may be something to it. Pray about it. Talk to someone. If you think you can’t do it, you might not be able to, or you may just suffer from doubt and lack of confidence. Home educating isn’t for everyone. This path is for me though. I am a teacher. I enjoy what I do day-to-day. I love my boys and want to be with them a lot.
Do I need breaks? Yes, totally. Do I get as many as I probably need or like? No, but this is a season of my life and I have learned boundaries and limits and when to take an in-breath and an out-breath. I bet many of you feel the same. Many of you who leave the home and work and have children, or stay home also wish you could take a break and not feel guilty about caring for yourself! This is parenting and living. Some of you have the blessings of a great local community, and even large family who can help you often.
In short, we are all in this life together, just different paths. I am no different from you, except I have my own thoughts on life as you have your own. I am no stronger than you, and you are no better than me. We all have something to do here on earth and if you are walking your path, you’ll know it because it will feel good to you. I feel good. Do I struggle? Absolutely!! Do I become wiser because I work through that struggle, I certainly hope so!
Let me know your experience. Do you homeschool? Do you want to? Do you know others who homeschool? Do you work a career outside of the home? Is that exciting for you? Do your kids go to public or private school? How is that working for you? If they are getting what they need there and you are also able to guide them, then that is great!
Nurturing Spirit 