March 18, 2006 8:43 PM
Parenting Q&A Should I homeschool?
A reader wrote:
Dear Barbara:I just picked up your book, "The Mommy Manual" the other day at my library. I can't tell you how much I am loving it and I'm only to chapter one. There were so many things you touched on that are things I am going through as a mother of three boys. Thank you for spreading your wisdom with us growing moms.
Anyway, I wondered if you could give me some advice (whenever you get a chance) about homeschooling. (I haven't read enough to know if you homeschooled or not). My six year old is in first grade and ever since the New Year we've had some letters/phone calls from his teacher about his behavior... nothing super terrible, but enough to get my husband and I upset over it. There are some kids that as the teacher says, "do not come from a nurturing home as Noah does" in the class ~ Noah was starting to copy some of their behavior (ie: stealing, being disruptive, lying, etc). I know these are issues that we need to deal with regardless, but would you suggest me taking him out at this point in the year? I felt the Lord give me a passion and desire to homeschool before the problems started so now I feel even more so the desire to teach him at home and protect him too from negative influences. This last week has been good so then I think is he doing ok? We have one more week then Spring Break and that was the time I was going to start. If you have any wisdom to share I would appreciate it.
May God bless you and your ministry,
Thank you,
Jenna
My reply:
Hi Jenna,
I wanted to answer you right away. No one can know for sure what God is calling you to do, but I would say it looks pretty much like you ought to go for it.
I started homeschooling when my oldest son was in first grade - about this time of year. Different reasons, but great results. At first I was worried, but you know what I discovered over the years I've homeschooled? If you do a good job, your kids will learn so much more in homeschool than in school - and in a shorter amount of time.
Teaching your child to read and helping him become a proficient reader is a real privilege and bonding thing. And I always wondered why we were so eager to let our kids go to school and fall in love with their teachers rather than having them stay home and stay in love with us.
I'm not one to say homeschooling must go all the way through 12th grade. I always took it year by year and my kids have attended public, Catholic, and Christian schools as I felt led each year.I'm also not one to say everyone should homeschool. I think everyone should try to figure out what God wants them to do and then do it. I believe God has different plans for different children and he's surely going to tell their parents rather than someone else. It's presumptuous for people to think whatever they're doing is what everyone else should be doing.
That said, what I found was that homeschooling the first 3-7 years cemented my relationship with my kids, producing a bond that was very difficult for anyone to interfere with. So even when they went to public high school, if they heard something different than what I'd taught them, my kids believed me. That's a good feeling!
If there is a homeschool group in your area, you might want to contact them. And be sure you know the laws for your state. Go to the Homeschool Legal Defense Association to get more information. You can also become a member and enjoy their legal protection.Godspeed and do keep me posted!
Will post for more feedback.
Love,
Barbara
Posted in Homeschooling, Mothering | Permalink
