Walking Therein

The Cost of Homeschooling

3:14 AM, Thursday, May 31, 2007 .. Posted in Are you Wondering If You Should Homeschool .. 3 comments .. Link

This is a (modified) response I wrote to the TOS Minute to Minute to a letter asking about the cost of homeschooling. It is written from the perspective of a Believer in God and Christ, as I am.

I do not remember the first day we began homeschooling, but I remember the first homeschool convention I went to. Looking back, it was probably a bit overwhelming, though I don't remember. I remember all of the people - families - that were there. I remember all of the tables with all of the books and curriculum. I think 13 years ago I was so determined to homeschool, that I was determined *not* to be overwhelmed.

Our decision to homeschool, simply put: We decided it was God's plan for us to homeschool and that was it, no more deciding. The actual event that caused us to think about it was the stabbing of a student by another student in the high school. Then, a week later, there was a drive-by shooting at the junior high. We discussed homeschooling, and we both felt it was the right decision. We knew nothing about homeschool laws, books, etc. We knew 1 family with older children who were learning at home. That was it.

The decision was not hard for us to commit to, because we believed, first and foremost, that we were following the Lord's leading. We had experienced His providence and knew He would provide wherever He lead us. If He is directing your family in the direction to homeschool, know He will provide, just as in all matters we trust Him in.

Financial Costs

When it comes to the costs of homeschooling, our responsibility in the expenses is to manage our purchases in a Godly manner. When we first started, there was not quite the network that there is today. Most people we knew would have told you to go with a textbook approach. I will be honest: with a large family, the Textbook Approach is expensive. I personally don't think it makes you any more organized if you use this approach, though I am pretty sure I tried to convince myself it did as I made out our orders that always came out to more money than we had to spend.

If I had to do it all over again, I would make it less expensive, less of a financial and stress burden and a lot more fun! I would have used an eclectic approach and do the lessons myself, include all of our children in each lesson and teach through more of what we experience everyday. I would start with the Bible (which most of us have already - and probably each child has their own, too). At the very least, you can teach reading and writing everyday by using the Bible. Art can be taught from Bible too. You can even do math from the Bible, if you are creative. You can even use simple household items and events like money or recipes or cooking. You can count beans, coins, straws, legos... anything instead of buying all those math manipulatives. For older children, a math book would be beneficial to teach things you may not think of, but you can use any life experience to apply many 'school' subjects. The local library is a great resource if that is available to you.

The main lessons you will desire to teach your children that I have found are to set examples as a Godly wife and that of a husband desiring to honor God. I wish the Bible and its principles had been our main focus when we started, rather than creating a school-like atmosphere and buying the *best* curriculum.

All of that being said, there are many non-consumable unit studies and curriculum available today that would benefit a family who desires to teach children of several different ages together. There are free online sites to help you organize your days so that you not only plan your schooling well, but also keep your home in order. Honestly, there are so many resources available today that you can shop around. Having a large family only divides the cost of materials, not multiplies it. If you teach them all together, it will be more cost effective than keeping everyone in a different 'grade' and purchasing individual texts and workbooks.

The Emotional Cost

There will surely be times when you feel overwhelmed. Everyone does. Reading as many resources as you can and getting plugged into a homeschool community can give you the confidence you will need to know you are not alone. Husband and wife working together as homeschool parents, planning and setting goals for your children and your homeschool will bring a unity and a direction into your lives and your homeschool that will be invaluable as you grow into homeschooling. Working together will alleviate some of the stress you may experience. Speaking with other homeschool moms and interacting with other families will let you see the big picture.

I will finish with this: Homeschooling is doable. It is not easy; it is not too hard. It is what you make it. If you try to be like a public school or another homeschool family, you will box yourself into something that may be hard to live up to and out of God's plan for your family. He is leading you, and where He leads, He provides, and He also equips! Keep in mind that the "Cost of Homeschooling" isn't nearly as high as the"Cost of Not."

Be Blessed!!
-Jacque

If you would like to see pictures of LucyLillie's afghan,

I posted them on the HOMESTEAD!! It is adorable!

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great entry

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