Posted in Philosophy

Christine left a comment on my last post that bears some thought for me. 

"... school has fizzled. So, I shouldn't worry about it, right? I should realize that this is one reason we educate at home - flexibility! But then I peek at my little year-long plan. I see the math lessons backing up. I'm feeling that guilt and pressure that I shouldn't be feeling. I'm feeling behind, when I know that I should relax and just go with it. I guess I'm afraid that it could become a habit, so I'm terrified to EVER get off track."

Oh, I FEEL YOUR STRUGGLE!!!!!  I have had to make some serious decisions lately about cutting back our schedule.  I have felt so overwhelmed with the old schedule we had and the fact that we never finished all of the work I had planned.  I recently spent some time with a veteran homeschooling mom who has raised one to adulthood and has two teens still learning and two elementary school age students still in the midst.  She shared with me such a wise thing that I feel has been working for JoNathan (my 12 year old) in such an amazing way. 

Here is what she said.  There comes a time with all children when they hit the ages between 12 and about 16.  She told me that their brain is changing and you will feel like you are starting over.  They can no longer seem to remember things and they get off task so quickly.  They are fighting for independence and are trying to stretch their wings.  Boys, especially need to pull away from their mothers and make that father connection to be the men that God intends them to be.  She advised me to let that pulling away happen no matter how much it hurt.  It is a necessary part of growing up for them (and for me).  She advised me to lower my requirements.  She told me she required her oldest to read every day from God's word, a great piece of literature and do his math.  That is IT!!!  He is now a very literate young man at the age of 17 on the mission field in Europe.  He is BRILLIANT!!!!!  ...and so very mature for his age.

This is all being shared to say that we cannot teach them everything they need to know but we can send them first and foremost to the One who can and give them the foundation to learn and grow on their own.  If they can read and do math they have the basics.  If they have a relationship with God they have ALL THEY NEED FOR LIFE.

In the midst of our life lately, I look around and see that my children are also picking up other important things.  We have been watching as Dan's Grandmother is slowly dying.  We are spending time with her and learning about how people die.  Ok, so that may be a bit morbid BUT it is a necessary part of living - dying happens to EVERYONE!  The children are also getting involved in volunteer work with me and ministry that takes us out of the home some days when we NEED to be studying.  As a pastor's wife stuff just comes up and we have to be available.  They are learning about working in the home.  They are getting more chores and responsibilities and that is necessary, too. 

There are so many things your children are learning through all the things you do each day.  The adoption and foster care issue is a HUGE picture of what God has done for us and I cannot think of a better way to spend your time than talking about WHAT GOD HAS DONE FOR US!!!!!  The other things you are doing with your family can be lessons each day, too.  Who says that school is only about books and schedules?

In the grand scheme of things will it matter that the children learned the Preamble to the constitution or is it more important to memorize scripture?  Is it more important that they read literary classics or be able to read and study the book of  Romans?  When they are old will they be sad that they did not have a strict school regimine or will they rejoice in the time they spent with Mom and Dad in the home learning, and loving and growing together in the things that matter in this life and the life to come?

I think you are doing a MAGNIFICENT JOB!!!!!  This is for all of you who have made this decision to homeschool your children...

I salute you for your service to our country's children!!!!!