Our beloved TOS publisher has asked the proverbial question:  Why do you homeschool?  That is almost as hard as answering "why are we here?"  ~ or is it?

We are here to glorify God and enjoy Him forever, according to scripture. 

 But homeschooling----it is just a natural part of our lives.  It is like breathing.  This is something we do, we have to do it.  Even folks who send their children to an institutional school HOMEschool to one degree or another. 

 It is all about teaching.  And learning. Natural teaching, not textbook teaching, although some of that is allowed in homeschooling.  (Where IS that winking smilie when you need it!?)  In fact, any kind of teaching is allowed in homeschooling.  And the learning part, Natural learning, not forced, compulsary learning.

Whatever your individual need is, use whatever you can to reach your goal!

Notice I didn't say "educational" goal?  It's not all about one type of education.  It can be about character, religion, academics, special needs, relationships, etc. 

Now, the governmental goal is say...school to work.  But homeschooling goals are different.  I hate to say "higher" and sound too lofty, but I think we have a much higher goal for our families---and that might just be servanthood!  Yes, some of us might even think that a life of servility is a higher goal. 

So, maybe to get down to basics, here are a few of my reasons, spelled out for clarity.  Why we homeschool our children:

1.  Because we love them.

2.  Because we want to get to know them.

3.  Because we want to help shape their character

4.  .......we want to lead them to Christ

5. .......we want to learn to be more Christ-like ourselves

6..........we believe it is our job---stewardship of our children

7...........we believe they were given to us as gifts from our Creator

8.  .............but they are only in our care for a short time.....so why give them over to the ungodly to raise them?

9.  They are worth the investment of time, effort and challenge (a nice way of saying we get frustrated at times, after all, we aren't perfect)

10.  Because............it is natural for parents to teach their own children!

Now, HOW do we do this?

1.  Much prayer

2.  Consultation with spouse--daily

3.  Support from friends and like minded people

4.  Good, real books, and lots of them.

5.  Learning from Homeschooling pioneers!  Get information from folks like Raymond Moore, The Clarksons, Chris and Ellyn Davis, Gregg Harris,

6.  Read materials from your contemporaries!  TOS has been an excellent source of information and inspiration.  Homeschooling Today, Homeschool Enrichment, the LINK, TEACHmagazine.....these resources bless me and keep me focused and informed.

7.  Use everyday activities to learn from, and be creative.  Cook, create, write, talk, make, learn together, garden, serve, sing, play, walk, sew, read, read, read!

8. Make friends on HSB and be blessed!

9.  Exercise your brain power by learning new things together with the kids, and on your own.  (Learn HTML!)

10.  Believe in your own ability to do ANYTHING.  Then just relax and enjoy being home with your kids.

After all,

Homeschooling Is Life!

Nancy

p.s.  Go see my latest project at this spot!