My first experience with home school occurred about thirteen years ago. I actually got into a pretty deep discussion with a friend that was home schooled. The best part about the discussion was that his home schooled cousin was on my side and defending the public school system. The arguments I had at the time are the same that all public school advocates argue such as, socialization, college entrance, playing sports etc . . .
Since this first discussion and encounter, my thinking has surely changed. It is so hard to see the value in anything when you are on the outside. I realized that in my public school life that I learned the worst things I know to this day from other students in the school. When I was in school the teachers were still trying to teach and they did not push agendas like they do today. I was reading some Internet discussion comments on home schooling the other day and a woman was saying how her fourth grade daughter came home and said that one of her friends wanted to have *** with her boyfriend, but she was on her period. Are these parents putting their children in a place that is the near occasion of sin? It certainly sounds like it. It did make me feel grateful that we home school, yet it is heartbreaking to envision the future of these poor children.
One point that I want to bring out is that our children will be exposed to evils at some point in life, but we must form them in sound faith, morals, and character before that time comes. Home schooling allows us parents the time to form them and guide them. As I was making this point to my wife, (a home school graduate) she stated that it is also dangerous to let the children associate with the public school children who are not like-minded in character, morals and discipline. The reason being is that if your child is weak in these areas, they will follow the lead of the other children. No matter what the sacrifices, we must always find ways to protect our children. Home schooling is one big thing we can do to protect and shield the children. We must always keep in mind that home schooling is not a guarantee that our children will all come out good wholesome children who stay in the faith. It is definitely not a free pass that will eliminate family problems. Parents can do everything right and still have problems, yet with home schooling the odds for success will be much greater.
Home Schooling a Sacrifice
Home schooling is definitely a sacrifice. If you hear a home school mom say that everything is wonderful every day in home schooling, she is probably not being very truthful. I know in our home we try to do the best we can and keep to a format, but some days it can get hectic. I mean hectically in a way that a baby may be crying in the other room, another one needing a diaper change, another three or more needing help with their math problems. This happens, this is the sacrifice. In the many home schooling articles that I have read, they generally say, “You must do this with joy”. It is difficult at times, but it must be as joyous as possible. I believe this is the reason for the dying off of the second generation of home schooling, because the experience was never a joy, always a burden. As the home schooled children grow up and have children of their own, they often decide to put their children in public school because they do not want their children to experience the same hell they experienced. To them home schooling was an unhappy experience in their life. All the mothers hard work was for not, because she and her husband did not take the time to do it right.
To Be Successful, Fathers Must Care and Help
Home schooling is not just for moms, dads have to be apart of it and be the leader for it to work. In our home I prefer dealing with the spiritual. I teach some of the religion classes to set the example that spirituality is not only a feminine thing. It is important to me, too. Also, on a daily basis I ask my wife how the children are doing in the school work and if she had any discipline problems. If one is getting behind or not doing well, I will talk to them and encourage them to do better. It is important for the father to show that he is interested. His sincere interest will alleviate the discouragement that a mother may feel as the school year goes on. Fathers, you do not want your wife and children to feel like they are on this journey alone. They need your leadership, encouragement, and discipline. Home schooling can only be successful when the family works together. It is a calling, a sacrifice, and can be a joy. The ultimate goal is to guide your children to become holy, outstanding citizens of character and morals. If we, as parents, succeed in this, one day our families will be reunited in eternal happiness and joy with our Father in Heaven.
