Homeschooling 101

 

If my kids and I are out and about before 3pm on a school day, we usually have at least 1 person ask why they are "out" of school.  We politely answer and carry on about our business.  Sometimes there are follow-up questions.  Sometimes there are positive remarks (sometimes the opposite).  When I meet someone new, often times, I'm asked why I chose to homeschool.  I politely tell them a few points of our decision depending on my time or situation at the moment.  It is often followed by, "I admire someone that could do that" or the opposite, "I could never do that!" and almost always something about their own patience level and the need for breaks.  

My kids have answered an array of questions that have mostly to do with how easy or difficult their work is or if they wear pajamas to school or even bother to get dressed.  Most are shocked to realize that homeschooling isn't really all that easy and we do get dressed in the mornings;-)  The advantage for the kids is that they don't have work to do in the evening (yet).  

I've been met with well meaning people (maybe?), sometimes educators themselves, that like to indicate to me that they have met a 10 year old student that had enrolled in their school that couldn't read.  To which, I politely nod and smile I suppose.  I have told someone before that the reason they are not seeing the successful homeschoolers is because...well...it is successful!  Those kids may never enter a public school classroom.  What does this have to do with me by the way?  I have had some well-meaning people tell me that they thought Kentucky should have stricter homeschooling laws and all kids should be tested.  Because the tests are the greatest indicator of learning?  They are a faulty (although the best we have perhaps) indicator of ones knowledge.  This, again, has little to nothing to do with me personally.  I actually had someone laugh at people getting homeschool diplomas.  Don't let those 2 words fool you when strung together.  Those kids earn their diplomas (and I'm not stating that they are getting GED's either). 

Some people seem to ease up on the questions when they find out that I have a teaching degree.  Actually, while my teaching degree may give me some theory, ideas, and terminology knowledge, I was never educated on how to run a 1 room schoolhouse, which is essentially what I'm doing.  It is different. You can be a successful homeschooling teacher/parent without having ever been to college yourself. Guess what?  You have to relearn most of the stuff even if you did go to college, because you forget! 

The funny thing is and has been for 3 years.  I really don't preoccupy my thoughts with the way other family's choose to educate their children:  public, private, or homeschool.  It isn't a big deal to me and I'm really not (contrary to what people may think about homeschoolers) going around secretly judging all that aren't doing exactly what I do.  I don't think that my way is better or that public school is evil. 

What I do believe is that homeschooling is a calling of God and not all are called to it just as all are not called to the mission field, ministry,  to lead up the Women's group at church, or to keep the babies in nursery. We are all called to do different things.  I've said that I would never homeschool and here I sit.  Sometimes God has to smack you in the face to get you to listen.  After starting this journey 3 years ago, giving myself time to acclimate to the changes in our home, we love it.  It is freeing!  We set our own schedule, we have more family time, my kids can play and explore to their heart's content, it fosters sibling relationships, I can choose their curriculum and its worldview, and they can work at their own pace and timing.  

What I have found out is that if you look at the pictures above, letting my kids read on the trampoline on a bright sunny spring day is homeschooling at its finest.  Micah so engrossed in a book that he can't let go of it and carries it to soccer practice, makes me feel like not allowing TV during the day is a great thing to motivate creativity and reading adventures.  What the future brings around here, I cannot tell you. I learned to put my crystal ball away years ago in the ministry, but right now, these days, the ones I'm living are some of the best that I will have in my short life. 

Ch ch changes...

First of all, we have had an eventful month.  Abbi accepted Christ on the 13th.  I knew she was contemplating it and asking questions for a while now.  She is a "ponderer".  She asks questions, weighs things out, and thinks about them.  Honestly, much like myself. After a lesson on the passover, she asked me some questions and I could see the look of seriousness on her face.  I answered them as tactfully and accurately as I could.  The Holy Spirit was all over me during that lesson and now I know why. I could just "tell" even before the questions that something big was about to happen in our little home.  She came to me later and said she had prayed for salvation, we talked some more, and celebrated that afternoon in this house over what God is doing in our family.  It is amazing to see your kids come to Christ!  Just simply amazing!

Also, after much prayer and contemplation for our church needs, we "coincidentally" attended Poplar Spring on the Sunday that we "coincidentally" chose to go to a particular Sunday school class (it was literally like eenie meenie miney moe and we just went into one) that "coincidentally" chose to talk about a new satellite church that would be located in Murray.  We were already discussing making the big drive to the lake every 3X a week, which is one reason we visited (although we liked to visit from time to time).  So, we waited for the vote which was the first Sunday night in March.  So, we attended the first week and it felt like an answer to a prayer for us.  It was closer for us to drive (not too much further than we were presently driving) and has the more casual contemporary service like we (aka my kids) are accustomed to.  We just tied up every loose end at our current church on Sunday, so we will start going to "The Spring" and "Poplar Spring" this next week!  I feel like I'm going back home.  My kids are on board and excited and I have some specific prayers that I'm hoping that God will show up on soon, but I am confident he will! 

I think that Community Fellowship helped us to heal from a very difficult time.  It was the first church where Jamie was not "paid staff" and we were able to volunteer freely without strings or expectations attached (nice!) and we met several really good people that I hope wont' be strangers.  We are used to moving around, but I really think our "moving" days are over!  I saw how incredibly amazing Poplar Spring was when my Daddy died and that is not something I have forgotten.  It has stuck with me close in my mind.  They are certainly a loving church family and we look forward to reconnecting there. 

Easter has come and gone, our school calendar is drawing to a close (4 more weeks), Jamie is teaching a class and has 2 more lined up (praise God for taking care of our financial needs), and summer vacation will be here before we turn around twice. 

Life is full of changes right now, but all for the better!

Frequently Asked Questions

I suppose everybody has their own list.  It seems that people often ask the same questions.  You know the saying, "If I had a nickel..."

In no particular order:

*  "Is that your real name?"-- I cannot even begin to imagine how many times I have answered this particular question. My entire life was filled with introducing myself to someone, having to repeat my name (because they think I say "bethany" or something similar) and then answering this golden question.  I have had people follow up with, "Is that on your birth certificate?"  and "Your parents actually named you that?" too.  I had 1 guy actually stand there and laugh when all the answers to these questions were to the affirmative.

*  "Do you slay vampires?"-- Yes, this is also name related, but is almost always asked upon the conclusion of any of the above 3 questions.  Usually the person will chuckle and think they are original.  In which, I too kind of chuckle to flatter them.  If they only knew!  The funny thing is that I have never watched 1 episode of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer".  Not even one!  It just isn't my cup of tea.

*  "Are all these kids yours?" -- I still get asked this frequently.  I suppose they think I'm babysitting?  I don't know, but I find it kind of funny.  I have 4 kids, not 14. I'm not a Duggar!  Our family is complete unless God intervenes in a very mighty way.  I love my little family and it is the perfect size of not being too small or too big!

*  "Do you know what causes that?" --  This one is becoming less frequent as my kids get older  I have noticed, so possibly will soon be totally phased out.  I hope.  I suppose now that I'm not pregnant or holding a baby (or both) that this isn't on the radar as much.   It is such an awkward moment for me where I figure I turn different shades of red. 

*  "Are you having any more children?" --  No, we are not having any more children by our choices.  If we have a child, it will be by God's great intervention.  My family is complete and I'm not getting any younger here!  I've always wondered why people ask this though.  Maybe they do think I am a Duggar!

*  "Are you going to homeschool all the way through?" --  This is also common and usually followed by, "I could never do it", "my kids won't listen to me", or "you must have a lot of patience".  Yes, we do plan to homeschool through high school.  We feel led to homeschooling by God.  However, life can change instantaneously and I would never presume what my life in 11 years will look like.  I want to, but we take this thing called life one moment at a time, because that is all we really have.  I've always found it humorous that when someone asks where the kids go to school and I answer that we homeschool that the above 3 comments are usually muttered or something similar.  It is sort of like they are defending themselves, but why?  I don't really think that much about other people's schooling choices.  I don't really care, honestly:-)  What works for one doesn't work for another

* "Can your kids actually graduate High School like that?" --  Homeschooling is 100% legal in all 50 states.  KY just happens to be a very lenient state too, which is a blessing!  Yes, my kids will graduate high school.  It will not be easy, it may take some tutors or some helps along the way (we aren't there yet), but they will have credits and transcripts just like kids in public school. And colleges are known to actively seek out homeschoolers! 

* "You must have your hands full?" -- This may be more of a statement than question.  My answer is always the same, "we are busy, but we love it".

*  "Do you work?" --  This is a loaded question as I DO work!  I do not get paid for my job(s).  My focus during the normal work week is educating my children in addition to all the other mommy things that everybody else is doing:-)

*  "How do you put up with him" or "You really have five kids." when referring to my husband --  I'm not sure why people ask this or say this.  Just because my husband jokes around doesn't make him an child  He is serious when the situation calls for, has a strong work ethic, and he has always been a wonderful help in every aspect of our family (from housework to doing 2am feedings).  He is no child.  I usually respond about how much he helps me.  I know people are joking. I do have a sense of humor, but I will take up for him too. We have sort of "reduced" men in our society, I think. . I find it sad actually.

Hello 2013!

As we were thinking back on 2012, it was fairly uneventful.  Jamie graduated with his Masters (officially in August), we went on our first mission trip as a family with the church to Texas in May, Jamie became a deacon sometime in the summer, and we took our first family mini-vacation with just the 6 of us to St. Louis in September.  We had a couple of medical situations between Jamie and I, but those turned out to be nothing (Praise God).  However, there wasn't just a great deal to stand out in this year. After what 2010 and 2011 brought us, I really have enjoyed a big bunch of uneventful life.   It is still exciting, interesting, challenging, and full of memories!

So, here we sit at the doorstep of another year.  I never have big hopes and dreams for a new year. I think we all like new beginnings and this gives us a new beginning every 365 days to embark on.  For myself, I'll continue to live my fairly uneventful life at home with my kids watching them grow, learn, explore, laugh, and make childhood memories.  This season of my life is wonderful!