Question # 5 reads “Homeschooling isn’t always easy, what makes it worth it for you?”
Here’s my answer:
Knowing that I am directly accountable for what my kids learn makes it worth it. In other words, I was never comfortable with being indirectly accountable for their education, provided by people I don’t know, who have objectives and values that are vastly different from mine.
I’ve never been very good at letting someone else make decisions for me. I choose what car I drive, when I go on vacation, (I’ll just say it’s not when public school is on vacation!) what’s for supper, and what I’m going to wear. These are all insignificant decisions compared to those that are made in the course of educating a child. Turning the significant decisions over to the state is just not going to happen in my house.
The Bible makes it very clear that parents are responsible for their children. Some choose to delegate some or most of the work involved in raising, nurturing, and educating their children. The truth is, even if you delegate the work, you’re still going to be held responsible. So for us, it makes mores sense to do the work we will be held accountable for.
While I don’t usually take lightly to someone else making my decisions for me, I insist on being in a position that allows me to let God make my decisions for me. And that includes specific decisions concerning my children’s education, as well as the little things, like what time we get up and when we start lessons. If I were to delegate the task of educating my children, I would be giving up the honor of hearing God for my children’s needs and the privilege of following His lead. I would be stuck with whatever someone else thinks is a good idea. That doesn’t work for me. Since I am responsible for my children, I prefer it to be directly so.
Beth
Do you home school? What makes it worth it for you? Be sure and share in the comments.
I agree with everything you mentioned, and I love being able to shape my children’s character, and to have deep conversations throughout the day.
I agree Susan. My daughter and I have had some conversations that wouldn’t have happened if we had to condense all of our talking into just the time that’s left after school and related activities. It’s so natural to just talk as we go about our day.
I never thought of choosing to homeschool for this reason, but you’re so right. No one would want someone to tell them what to wear, what to eat or what movies to see, so why, when it’s something important like your child’s education, would you ever want to give that decision to anyone else? I love our interest-led learning lifestyle because I see other families, even other homeschooling families struggling over what they “should” be learning instead of following their hearts and passions. We are excited and interested in what we’re learning about all the time. No fights or tears. It’s amazing!
@interest_led Over the past 10+ years (especially the past 2-3) I have been trying to un-learn a LOT of (ahem) “old school” ideas and philosophies. There is nothing political here for sure — I submit my daughter is much less of a political pawn. I’m also coming to believe that many interests that different children have can serve as a focal point for numerous disciplines. As their interests change over time, they’re exposed to the same disciplines in different ways. Easy to figure out? Heck no. But I’d rather stumble down that path than recline on someone else’s broken ideas. And I know that God is working in the heart of my daughter, and I trust her education will, above all else, draw her closer to Him.