Recently, I was asked to be part of a schooling options panel at a mom’s group at a friend’s church.  It was great sharing with this small group about why I chose homeschooling.  I think it’s beneficial to put some of the questions here so that those who are curious about homeschooling may find my answers helpful.

How did you decide this schooling option was best for your children?

There are three reasons why we chose to homeschool:

1. A Natural Means of Discipleship: Our first priority as parents is making them disciples of Jesus; so we chose the schooling option that we felt was the most natural way to contribute to that goal.  In other words, for us, homeschooling as an extension of discipleship – teaching them both “academic subjects” and Biblical wisdom: the fear of the Lord.
2. Custom-Tailored Education: We can customize education for each child.  If the child is advanced, I can accelerate the program.  If the child is slower than “average,” they’ll never know it, because I’ll move at their pace.  If the child has a special need, I can slow down and not have the child be labeled or stigmatized as he/she might be in a traditional school.
3. Cultivating a Love for Learning: It allows us to provide a broader education for our children and integrate learning into all of life.  Schooling is not limited to merely ABCs and arithmetic, but things like practical skills, and learning everywhere we go (even on vacation).  It helps us to cultivate in our children a love for learning in all of life.

What are the joys and challenges with this type of schooling for your children and for you as a parent?

Joy for me:

• I’m learning together with my child
• I know exactly what their educational needs are
• I’m always there to shape their character
• I love seeing the fact that they love to learn and that their minds are always hungry

Joy for the kids:

• They become very creative because of the relaxed environment
• They love to learn and are motivated
• They aren’t confined to classroom learning for the better part of a day.  Formal “sit-down” learning usually doesn’t last more than an hour or two per day for grade-school children.  My “no sitting down” requirement is very appealing for my boys.

Challenges for me:

• Homeschooling is very time consuming
• Multi-tasking with different ages, esp. young ones who are pre-school, can be a challenge; in addition to having to keep a home.

What are your goals and dreams for your children and how does this schooling option help to fulfill those dreams?

Our overriding goal is for them to know and love God, and to live to their fullest potential for Him.  Homeschooling gives us the opportunity to integrate training them in academics with training them in the Lord.  And of all schooling options, home education affords us the most time to learn what our children are like, so as to best direct them for their future decisions, vocations, etc.  Homeschooling is an excellent way to fulfill our goals because we are always together helping, training, and shaping their souls.

More to come. . . .