My favorite thing about homeschooling is…
I can’t pick! But it definitely *starts* with the very best Sunday school answer. Jesus. Every answer I can give boils down to Him. We do it because He called us to raise our children, to teach and train them, to point them to Him at every chance. I know my children better than anyone else! Who better to educate them than the one who has been studying them since birth. Who knows what makes them tick and knows their learning style.
Every day is not gumdrops and rainbows, it’s far from “easy”, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Their excitement to start their first school book, the moment they learn how to read, when the light bulb comes on because they finally understand something they’ve been struggling with… When they’re frustrated as all get out and I “get” to pull them on my lap, encourage them, and remind them that God created them with a beautiful brain and He will help them understand this tough thing. We both grow. We all learn. It’s a privilege and a calling.
The slowing down portion of homeschooling is, obviously, something I love too. The option to do school in our pajamas is fun, going outside on the grass to enjoy the sunshine, or the porch to enjoy the cool weather and rain like yesterday. The opportunity to be involved in some things we may not feel like we could if they were in school because of late nights or school hours. Letting my little one with a “snuggle cup” do her school on my lap, seeing the big girls help brother with his preschool work, watching as my oldest asks to do more pages in a subject she loves.
Oh, and let’s not forget all the amazing things that they get to see and learn just because they’re around me and each other all day. Social interactions? They interact with all age levels all day long. They watch me take care of the baby, they help me make breakfast, lunch and dinner, they help with dishes, cleaning, grocery list making, shopping, they spend ample time just being kids, running around outside without shoes for hours.
Oh my word I could go on and on.
Privilege, calling, honor.
“The option to do school in our pajamas is fun…”
If you feel a desire deep inside you or calling on your life to homeschool please don’t let your lack of a teaching certificate or your feeling of inadequacy stop you. If God calls you to it, He will equip you. He will be with you every step of the way. When it does get tough, He will not let you fall. I’ve only been homeschooling my own for a few years now… But I’m a homeschool OG myself and I’m happy to encourage, share ideas, or point you in the direction of a seasoned homeschool mama with answers. We homeschool Mamas stick together. A beautiful tribe all its own.
Do you homeschool? Were you homeschooled yourself? I love to hear people’s why’s, or the story of how you got to where you are. Every story has God’s divine hand all over it. So amazing.