Did I make the right choice to homeschool?

Was choosing homeschooling the right choice for our family?

Is homeschooling the right decision?

“I feel like God is leading us to homeschool.”

Is that a familiar phrase? Perhaps you yourself have used it. Was your vision—when you felt that calling—one of beautiful sit-downs and read-alouds with your children? Did you envision your children neatly penning in their worksheets? Was the family in your vision always happy together?

And then life happened, and those tiny humans behaved like, well, humans? Let’s face it, you also behaved in ways you never thought possible, either.

Or, perhaps you heard that still small voice calling you to home educate, and perhaps you felt that you’d be thoroughly equipped the moment you made the decision. And then you discovered that there are a bajillion different curriculums and philosophies. You didn’t even know there were PHILOSOPHIES involved! What on earth have you gotten yourself into?

 Maybe you think you heard wrong. 

 But, maybe you didn’t. 

 God’s Word clearly tells us to teach our children diligently that the Lord is our God and that we are to love Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. (Deut. 6:4-9). What better way to immerse our young ones in Jesus than to be the main influence in their lives during their formative years? Parenthood is a ministry. Like all ministries, God, who called you, will equip you for every good work.

What do you do when the kids are driving you crazy, they refuse to do school work, they cry, or they fight with each other? The wise parent sees these issues as ‘trials and testing’ of sorts. The Word says we should be joyful when we are in trial. (James 1:1) That sounds crazy! But is it? Not really. These are the things that drive us to prayer, and God loves to commune with us. Trials also produce steadfastness. We parents need to be firm and unwavering. We don’t give up on our kids just because it gets hard. We persevere. By doing so, we are teaching our children this character quality as well.

When the children are just so frustrated with school, step back. Pray and ask for wisdom. Then assess the situation. Talk to your child. What is the frustration? Sometimes, the material is too challenging or isn’t presented in a way the child can understand. Step back and slow down. Try a different approach. Perhaps the child is too young. Offer a better, age-appropriate alternative. Other times, a child is simply being rebellious. We all have times when we don’t want to do something. I don’t know about you, but I have let clothes wrinkle in the dryer (or even sit in the washer, ew!) because I simply didn’t want to do laundry at a given moment. We all feel that way. However, we all have to override those feelings of rebellion or laziness and get to our responsibilities. Remind your child that while it’s ok to feel that way, they equally need to step up and get their schoolwork completed.

Keep in mind that children are people, too. They have ‘off’ days. They sometimes feel rotten for no reason. They get tired, hungry, and overstimulated just like we adults. They don’t know how to self-assess this, and they don’t know how to regulate. Ask them questions. Offer love, hugs, and guidance. Sometimes all they need is a snack and a rest period. Take a break and try again. 

Both children and adults get overwhelmed. Homeschooling parents are easily overwhelmed by the processes to withdraw from the public school system, the choices in curriculum, or the disarming feelings of not being good enough to teach their own children. Let me encourage you that you are perfectly equipped to teach your own children. You know them best. You love them best. Besides, God Himself said that He has created us for good works, which He has prepared ahead of time for us to do. If He made you the parents to your children, how much more will he equip you in the ways you need? 

I also want to inspire you to get out and find others to share this homeschool journey with you. You don’t have to go it alone. There are organizations such as Missouri Homeschool Alliance at the state level to protect your rights to home educate and to encourage the masses through speaking engagements, workshops, and blogs such as this. There is much more fellowship in your own local community, though. Please seek the local homeschool community out and get engaged. Your local community will likely have parents that meet for playdates, cooperative programs, and mom events. There are libraries and community centers where you can meet other homeschoolers. If all else fails and you can’t find a community that you’re looking for, make one! All homeschool groups started because one or two parents got together and made it happen.

Let me encourage you, dear readers, to seek the Lord and ask Him for wisdom and guidance in all things. Prayer is the best thing you can do for yourself, your children, your spouse, and even other homeschoolers. Corrie Ten Boom wrote, “The wonderful thing about praying is that you leave a world of not being able to do something, and enter God’s realm where everything is possible. He specializes in the impossible. Nothing is too great for His almighty power. Nothing is too small for His love.”

God loves you and your children so much. He will give wisdom generously to all who ask.He will also generously supply you with what you need to train up your children (2 Cor. 9:10). So, take heart. As a homeschooler, you will be able to influence your children best and equip them to navigate this ever-changing world in which we live.