I was reading through the September 2007 issue of Family Circle magazine. Okay, I must confess, the only magazine I normally read is The Old Schoolhouse Magazine. J However, I bought a few others to see what women around the world are being told and what the family and education philosophies are these days. I was really saddened by what I read there.  

Family Circle’s “family” column had a Back to School article dealing with the problem of too much homework being given and how parents can handle that. They talked about kids being stressed, sleep deprived and disillusioned with learning because of so much homework. Not only is that a sad thought for those poor kids, the thing that really upset me was this big quote in the middle of the article: 

Many parents feel they’re being held responsible for their kids’ education, instead of teachers and schools – and they resent it.  

Oh my. People really believe (because they are being told and not thinking for themselves) that it is someone else’s responsibility to educate their child. Whose responsibility is it? Many (homeschoolers even) believe it is their choice, but not necessarily their responsibility. 

Let’s start at the beginning: Creation. God made Adam and Eve and gave them children. God did not make another adult named Mrs. Jones to teach their children. It was the family unit God created and learning was to naturally happen within that unit. Throughout scripture, God tells fathers (and mothers) to “teach your children that they may teach their children.”  This is usually talking about the wisdom and laws of God; however, this is where knowledge begins. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of ALL knowledge, and God created the family unit to embrace and teach and train their children in the wisdom and knowledge of God. So what about what we call “education”? If we seek His Kingdom first, all else will be added to our lives to make us smart, productive, and excellent in character, that the world may see our good homeschool works and glorify our Father in Heaven. 

If you feel inadequate for the task, ask your Teacher for His wisdom for your child. Ask Him what gifts and abilities He has already placed in each child and how you can further those things for His glory. Ask for wisdom. Proverbs 4 says “with all your getting, get wisdom.” Wisdom begins in the Word of God and prayer over each child. Then trust that the Teacher will lead you in teaching your child.  

To be responsible for a child’s education can look like an impossible, monumental, or even frightful task at the beginning. If we think we have their life (and education) in our own hands, we have the wrong perspective. But as we take our rightful responsibility, and then cast our cares on the One who knows our child inside and out, we can rest in the fact that it is really God that has their life (and education) in His hands.  

He will teach you as you teach your child. The key here is to stay close to your Teacher and the commands He’s given you. It is His desire to bless you and your child as you Keep Them Home Where They Belong. 

Deborah Wuehler
Senior Editor
The Old Schoolhouse Magazine
senioreditor@TheHomeschoolMagazine.com   

P.S. If you haven’t renewed your subscription to The Old Schoolhouse Magazine, now’s a good time! This may be the only magazine you receive that teaches the truth about education. We’d love to bless you with 25 gifts for a one year subscription at only $25.00.  Click on the ad on the sidebar!