Mrs. Troubled was starting to worry even more than usual. Little Tommy was getting close to the age of launching….the age of moving on.  No, not flying the nest, but going to kindergarten.  Mrs. Troubled found herself crying and pacing.  She knew that everyone did this.  At least everyone she knew did, but it didn’t make it easier.  After all, he was her first born, her baby.  How could she send him away?  It is just the way things were done.  She had gone to Kindergarten, her parent’s did too……but somehow something just didn’t seem right about it.

But then Mrs. Troubled heard about a way for him to stay home.  A way that had a lot of incentives built right in.  Kindergarten could come right into the Troubled household!  All they had to do was sign some papers and all the materials would be free, and even a free computer would be added to their Kindergarten “at home.”  

 Mrs. T. would even be able to talk to a real Teacher when ever she needed help.  Wow, it seemed so unreal, so easy!  This was better than anything she had thought of…..so far.  It seemed like the best of both worlds.

Well, the materials arrived in the mail.  There were books, manipulatives, lots of lovely colors.  They seemed pretty good, except for a few things that Mrs. T. didn’t think little Tommy was ready for yet…..and all that computer work was pretty intensive.  Gee, a half days work was taking them all day!  Mrs. T. soon found herself back in tears again.  Why wasn’t she happy?  Little Tommy was  home, after all.  But there was much weeping and wailing going on.  It seemed like such a good idea at first, but it was so….it seemed so…..unnatural.

Mrs. T. began to share her anguish with her friend from across town, Mrs. Perfect.  Mrs. Perfect homeschooled her children.  When Mrs. T. started telling her her troubles, Mrs. P. said she was so sorry, but the government counselors were going to have to help her…after all, they were in charge of little Tommy’s school, even if it was in the home.  "Sorry, there is nothing I can do for you," said Mrs. Perfect…….even as she got ready to go to ther Mom’s Prayer night at her support group meeting.

Mrs. Troubled was getting more and more frustrated and depressed about her situation.  She had to answer to someone she didn’t even know, and they didn’t even know little Tommy!  They didn’t know his learning style or readiness.  The work they had to complete was ridiculously hard and some things just weren’t jelling in his mind.  He still needed time to play and explore the world….with Mommy.  But they were always at each other and not happy campers at all.

Mrs. T. remembered another Mom that she knew, who had her kids at home, Mrs. Peaceful.  She called up Mrs. Peaceful and told her all about the dilemma.  Mrs. Peaceful listened intently and then prayed for Mrs. T.  She also talked to her about Homeschooling……"but wasn’t that what I was doing?”  asked Mrs. T.

 “Yes and No”, Mrs. Peaceful told her. “Some Mom’s can homeschool while still under the supervision of their school district.  It is then school at home, under someone else’s authority.  You are not in charge.  Some Mom’s don’t mind that, and it works for some.  But it is not for everyone.  There are choices. You can do education YOUR way, in YOUR home, without the burden of the public school ideology on your heart, and on your children.  Some also worry that this kind of thing can lead to greater regulations over homeschooling in the long run.” 

 She went on:  “The reason what you are doing is causing you so much grief and angst, is that it is unnatural for you, and you are not at peace with your decision.  You can change it.  You don’t have to do it their way.  You can do it your way.  You can find out what works for you, and be at peace with that.’’    

You mean I can do it “My Way?”  Mrs. T. asked.

“Well,” said Mrs. Peaceful, “Yes, but really the best way to educate your children at home is God’s Way.  As a Mom who loves her child dearly, you will find that your way is right in line with His way.”

“Come now, I want you to meet some other Moms who teach their kids at home.  You can learn so much from them, each one is different!  As time goes by you will learn so much with your child, and you will see how natural this is! 

You have a choice, and that is whatever way works best for you.”

THE END

©Nancy K. Baetz

 Homeschooling Is Life! 2006

Related Tags: Homeschooling, Home Education, Virtual Academy, Charter Schools, Parental Choice, School Choice