For the Sake of the Call
Sep. 6, 2007 - It's not always easy |
Sometimes it's really hard!
When everyone's talking about the first day of school: new teachers, new friends, new classes, new backpacks....back to school pictures....
I remember the excitement of "real school" and there's always a twinge of doubt that immediately attacks:
Maybe they'd have more fun at the school around the corner....
Maybe they really are missing out...
Maybe...
I'm tempted by the thought of having a quiet house to myself, although unconvinced that it would actually be much cleaner; it wasn't clean before I had kids, why would it become instantaneously spotless just because the kids left the house...
I probably wouldn't exercise any more than I do now....
But I would love to be in Women's Bible Study again...
It's hard to smile and nod and be encouraging and supporting; all the while going against the tide and choosing differently for your own children.
I remain convinced that we are doing the best thing for our children. I wish that more parents would see the value in homeschooling....
But it's not always easy to be different; even for the most confident homeschooler.
I just thought I'd let you know. |
| • Post A Comment! |
Sep. 6, 2007 - <i>Untitled Comment</i> |
| Posted by henryteachers |
Angel,
I've been feeling the same. It is hard to be surrounded by so many who do the public school thing. So comforting to know I'm not alone. Too bad we can't be all next door neighbors. But blogland sure helps me and other homeschoolers feel supported and connected somewhat.
Thanks,
Mindy
Edited by henryteachers on Sep. 6, 2007 at 1:31 PM |
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Sep. 6, 2007 - Untitled Comment |
| Posted by SeekingJESUSnTeachingKIDS |
Yep, I hear ya too. I think the frustrating part is that well meaning people tell me "I am crazy", "don't you want time to yourself", "why would you do that" (as if we are somehow trying to harm them by HSing) and many more I can't think of right now. It's good thing we have HSB to encourage one another. Looking back my best memories are made with my family not the school I attended or with my teacher. It's worth a messy house and all our time devoted to our children and to obey what God has told us to do:)
:>Michelle |
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Sep. 6, 2007 - Hangeth thou in there! |
| Posted by dh |
I hear you Sweetie! The world is so clever at telling us what we (and our kids) are missing. It's especially hard to look ahead and think about football/basketball games and other high school "events."
However, my heart was breaking for poor Joshua B. Keep looking at the flip side! I'm in this with you for the long haul:) (careful, you'll make me ferklempt!) |
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Sep. 6, 2007 - Untitled Comment |
| Posted by Rachelle |
I hear you! It's definitely not easy. And we all have doubts...yet most of us choose homeschooling because we love it (I hope!). So we do our best and go forward in faith. :-)
Thanks for sharing! I love bloggers who aren't afraid to show the ups and the downs of life.
3knightsandaprincess.blogspot.com |
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Sep. 6, 2007 - Untitled Comment |
| Posted by Prncsstefy |
| It can be hard but just think about all those wonderful moments those other parents are missing out on while their kids are gone all day. |
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Sep. 6, 2007 - Untitled Comment |
| Posted by chickadee |
yes, wouldn't it be nice to have the whole day to ourselves. i'd probably be bored though.
it has been hard for me in the past when school started, but this year i hardly noticed.
afamiliarpath.blogspot.com |
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Sep. 6, 2007 - Untitled Comment |
| Posted by Anonymous |
Well, although at this moment I'm feeling confident...it wanes at times. But, usually I have to think logically, and not emotionally. My emotions are wrong to often!
Since there are many different paths for folks I am trying to keep an open mind. I just love the fruit homeschooling produces. And to have a hand in that just feels awesome. It binds us to our kids.
One thing I do is think about all the things that my kids know now....and realize that they've learned it in our home. Pretty cool.
And usually when I'm feeling badly I need to take a day off and do something silly and fun...like bike riding or game day. just my .02.
(and can you believe how many comments you got on your FUNNY post? That's so cool)
Emily
thelearningneverstops.blogspot.com |
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Sep. 6, 2007 - Untitled Comment |
| Posted by 2peter318 |
I can totally relate. It is hard sometimes, even when you know you are doing what the Lord has called you to do. I pray He continues to give you the strength to get through. :)
JoAnn |
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Sep. 6, 2007 - Untitled Comment |
| Posted by MiryClay |
My husband was the youth pastor at our old church. I can tell you....from working with youth coming from 3 different counties here in IN.....Homeschooling rules! Then there is the 9th grade boy that lives down the road from us who is here so often, I call him..."my son from another mother." He hates school. My kids thought they wanted to go to PS one year until he got a word in their ears of how bad it was. LOL. Be encouraged. It gets a lot easier when their older. It so pays off!
Blessings,
Lori |
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Sep. 6, 2007 - Untitled Comment |
| Posted by StillHisGirl |
| I'm getting a double dose, strangely enough. I feel the same way about the two I'm homeschooling, and then I do the opposite with the two who are in public school. I have a sense that is exactly what satan would like me to do... second guess the decisions I've made that I prayed about for years instead of feeling the Father's pleasure in my obedience to Him; instead of accepting the peace He offers me! |
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Sep. 7, 2007 - I TOTALLY understand! |
| Posted by AHappyHome |
As a child, I LOVED going to school. As a teacher, I LOVED teaching. As a mother, I find myself daydreaming about all I could be doing without children afoot. The biggest line I get is, "Oh, sure, YOU can homeschool; YOU were a teacher." HAR HAR HAR.......as if it were even a smidgen related! It's NOT!
I wrote about this very thing to people (even me!) who feel like wavering. If you have the time, you can come visit: http://www.homesteadblogger.com/kerimae/67400/A+Plea+for+Reconsideration.html
Blessings and hugs to you!
Keri |
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Sep. 7, 2007 - So true! |
| Posted by onecrazymom |
I know my kids often echo this sentiment in their little hearts as well- they may not say it aloud but I see a brief longing in theirs eyes sometimes when we drive past the local public school and the kids are out at recess - they also know in their hearts why it is important to be homeschooled but sometimes it is still hard - But I can't help but think that this is an invaluable lesson for them to learn now - that the best choices are often the hardest to make - at some point they will look back and think - "thank you Lord for not giving me what I wanted but instead giving me what I needed" ( :
Thanks for sharing your heart - I know I have had those thoughts before as well.
Hugs,
Mandi
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Sep. 7, 2007 - Untitled Comment |
| Posted by LadyBugKim |
| Ditto - I've had my moments of waffling too - if nothing else I'd have some time alone in peace and quiet! I come to my senses pretty quickly though. Isn't the grass always greener and the house always cleaner and all that? LOL |
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Sep. 7, 2007 - Untitled Comment |
| Posted by happycamper |
Boy, am I having those same thoughts! This is a narrow path. It only gets more narrow as we go. I've lost my best homeschool buddy this year to public schools. I am sad and envious, too! No, not really envious. I know she is making a different kind of sacrifice than me with different dividends. Keep going....keep going....keep going....That's what we are here for!
aka Jenn4him |
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Sep. 7, 2007 - Untitled Comment |
| Posted by grace4gayle |
| This has lessened every year for me, but still hasn't quite gone away yet. The fears are fading, but I still remember the excitement of the new clothes, new classes, seeing all my friends again when school would re-start every year. I start every year not doubting homeschooling, but fantasizing about what it would be like if I could ignore my conscience and be happy sending them off for 6-8 gloriously quiet hours. |
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Sep. 8, 2007 - <i>Untitled Comment</i> |
| Posted by callmekate |
I appreciate your honesty. While I savor being "different", no, it's not always easy and sometimes a pain. We homeschoolers could start a commune. Everyone would be comfortable. No explanations needed. No, I'm not kidding.
I enjoyed your post about your mom cutting your hair. Conjures up images of me as a young child, with my mom perming my hair on those plastic pink flexible curlers (we're talking late 1960's here). I looked like a poodle, more poodlier than most. Ah, memories. I still have those stupid curlers, can't seem to part with them. Maybe it's a reminder that I should never, ever perm my daughter's hair. My husband cuts our family's hair and most of the time, it's fine. If it's not, I'll come over here and complain to you, o.k?
Have a terrific weekend!
Kate
P.S. Aren't sisters great - NOT!
P.P.S. I love your son's hair like that. I also loved Duran Duran's hair and all the other 80's new wave, new romantic, whatever, hair. I had a hot crush on Roger Taylor, DD's drummer. That's another great memory. Thanks!
Edited by callmekate on Sep. 8, 2007 at 2:29 AM |
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Sep. 8, 2007 - But if you did send the to school |
| Posted by REInvestor |
| you would be lonely and you would feel terribly guilty. And you would be distressed by what they learned that wasn't in the curriculum. So enjoy them and keep your learning fun for all of you - you too. |
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Sep. 8, 2007 - Untitled Comment |
| Posted by Dedee |
You know, I read this and I sense so many of the same feelings that you have. I have these feelings, just for the exact opposite reason. I send my kids to school and wonder if I'm doing the right thing.
If it's right for you, keep going. You will have unimaginable impact on your children's lives.
You are doing your best and I'm doing my best and if we recognize that in each other, then we are both ahead! |
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Sep. 8, 2007 - right there with ya |
| Posted by Anonymous |
As a go against the tide kind of girl...I am with you. Enjoy it, let the fruit shine forth from your family...they grow so fast.
blessings
Kimmie
mama to 6
one homemade and 5 adopted
http://overthemoonwithjoy.blogspot.com |
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Sep. 8, 2007 - Untitled Comment |
| Posted by TNMOMTOMANYBLESSINGS |
Our year had started off with some major challenges. There was one day the thought of sending my children off to school to make it easier for all of us did cross my mind. That was one very bad, horrible day. I am glad the rest of our school days are NOT like that. Most of our days are good...not perfect but good. I found that that bad day was a good day because it reminded me that I am not alone... I may be amongst some of my friends but God is there.. he is the one who called our family to homeschool and he has not deserted us. I WILL press on. May you be blessed to see yourself doing the same.
Be blessed,
Maria |
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Sep. 9, 2007 - Untitled Comment |
| Posted by CountryMomof4 |
| This post really hits home for me too. After the excitment of new back packs and new classrooms fades... homeschool looks better and better. ~Karlie |
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Sep. 9, 2007 - Oh No... |
| Posted by bubbebobbie |
They have tricked you in to thinking what you are doing is NOT real school! You are more Real than they could ever be.
Our church has done an amazing thing. Instead of Just having care for nursey to five for their Bible Study, they have a class for homeschoolers as well. The Homeschoolers have a Bible Study together for the first hour and the second hour they work on their own school work! It has pulled Homeschool moms back into the Bible Studies like having evening studies brought in working women. If your church isn't doing this yet I would Highly recommend it.
It is a real blessing to us.
And if not, maybe you and a few homeschool moms could get together once a week and do one together.
That brings playmates for your children too.
Because of Jesus, Bobbie |
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Sep. 10, 2007 - keep in touch |
| Posted by Anonymous |
It's been nice to have a quick and easy way to check in on you, but your decision sounds wise and shames me a bit. If you send me an email with your snail mail address when you have a minute, I'll add you to our quarterly ministry newsletter and Christmas card list so we can keep in touch.
Love, Becky |
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About Me
Philosophical musings from the heart of a home-educating mommy of four and wife of ten years.
"May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in Thy sight, O LORD, my rock and my Redeemer." Psalms 19:14
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