The Alternative is Scary

I was browsing the great site www.hillybillyhousewife.com for some mealtime inspiration.  On the site there are ideas for cheap lunch box meals for kids.  I'm not sure why I even looked, its not like I need lunchbox ideas.  But  I did, and it got me thinking...

Our house is crazy sometimes.  I'm not the best mother.  Laundry gets piled up and I yell way too much (okay, any yelling is too much yelling.)  My 8yo is a slow reader mainly due to my novice teaching skills and the addition of a new baby every school year.  But even in my imperfection, even with my failings, it is better than the alternative.

Reading the lunchbox menus and imagining my son eating in a school cafeteria makes me cry.  What about days when the kids decide to be mean and he eats alone?  What if, for whatever reason, he isn't deemed cool enough?  So, in order to avoid daily heartbreak, he does whatever is necessary to be cool.  Even if that means becoming someone he isn't or going against what we've taught him.  After all, we aren't there in the first place.

I'm so glad my babies are home with me, and that includes the 8yo.  I truly believe that mothers have to turn their hearts off in order to send their children away everyday.  Otherwise they'd despair over bullies and mean teachers.  They'd worry about evolution and new age philosophies.  These things are everywhere in the institutionalized school system.  So, how can moms send off their precious darlings?  I don't know.  I just don't know.

Moms, there is an alternative.  Be brave, and realize that you don't have to let anyone force you to send your child to school. Except your husband, of course.  But pray.  God changed my husband's heart and he is now our biggest homeschooling defender.  But believe me, homeschooling your kid with a messy house or screaming babies or an inadequate teacher is better BY FAR then sending them off because you don't think you "can do it".

3:55 AM - Feb. 2, 2007 - post comment

Untitled Comment

I don't turn my heart off, it just hurts everyday. For this season in life my kids are in PS, but I feel God leading us home. In the meantime, I just be the best Mom I can be given the circumstances. Just like you.

Anonymous - 12:15 PM - Feb. 3, 2007

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Untitled Comment

what do you mean a new baby every school year? How are you so fertile now days?
thanks
homeschoolblogger.com/noahsmom

Anonymous - 8:44 PM - Feb. 7, 2007

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