"Why" do I Homeschool

This is part of a series on Preparing for School at Home.

First a little history.  My older sister homeschooled her eight children… and the idea intrigued me.  When I had my first child, a woman in my church was homeschooling her children.  The idea intrigued me.  Then when my husband got a job which required him to travel…frequently, and we could choose to travel with him, I simply decided to give homeschooling a try.  Without any type of training (other than my own fourteen years of education) or any idea how or what to teach, I set up shop and started teaching the A B C’s. 

About half way through the year, I was overcome with fear that I was damaging my children’s chance of success.  With my lack of experience and know-how, she was missing out and getting behind which might scar her for life.  In desperation for her success and for release from the almost tangible fear for me, I cried out in prayer for guidance what I should do.  There have been very few times in my life that I’ve received a heavenly answer so powerfully and forcefully as I did in this case.  In no uncertain terms, I knew that I was supposed to home school my children – a calling from above, a purpose to fulfill.

 
Now, do I think everyone should be homeschooled.  Absolutely not!  But I do fully believe that every parent should receive revelation as to what type of education is best for their children.  I had a friend who had decided to homeschool and had already purchased curriculum and was getting quite excited about it.  Then she realized she had not prayed about the decision.  So she quickly prayed, assuming the Lord would, of course, condone such a noble sacrifice on her part.  She was shocked to discover that she was impressed to put them in public school.  Another witness that Heavenly Father is guiding the purpose for which each of us were intended.

I know a lot of homeschoolers and they may have begun the journey from a multiple of reasons, but I think the only thing that gives one the power to continue homeschooling, is the assurance that it is what is right and best for the child.  I also know a lot of families that put their children in public school without thought or reason as to if that is the best option for their child – maybe not even aware that there are other options, or simply don’t want the hassle involved in private, charter, home, mentors, or tutors.    

Back to “Why” Homeschool.  Once a friend of mine was asked why she homeschooled.  She said, “I started homeschooling for a few reasons, but now I have thousands.”  I thought that was a fitting response for myself as well.  So instead of going into too much detail, I’m going to list a few of the thousands of reasons why I homeschool. 

*Probably the most recent reason is the implementation of ‘Common Core’.  A system of

education that has removed the parent’s and local administrator’s voice out of the equation completely is a bad idea.  Reduced academic standards, child data collection, and more federal meddling is not a formula for freedom.  However, it is a sure step toward controlling the thinking of the next generation and to create more 'useful idiots'.

 

 

               *Conveyor belt education.  The idea that one size fits all is contrary to the nature of man.  Each child is unique and has strengths and interests and purposes that vary from what the state (now Fed) dictates.  The focus is on what to think to pass the test, rather than how to think and analyze information to impact society.   

 

               *Textbooks vs. relationships.  Textbooks, and now informational reading, are the driest and most boring form of obtaining information (well, maybe a boring lecture might compete).  Education should be inspiring and edifying and exciting.  The student should create a personal relationship with the information because they are using it in their everyday life, or they are learning it through a story that they are invested in or from a person that is passionate about it  – not so they can pass a test and get a grade. 

                *Socialization.  The number one concern that non-homeschoolers have seems to be about

socialization – not academics.  So I analyzed what socialization actually takes place in the public school and found it wasn’t really all that desirable.  A class system where the popular kids (considered the winners) ostracize both the gifted as well as the delayed and anyone else not chosen to be the elite (considered the losers); conformity to values contrary to the families; peer focus rather than family focus; bullying; and loss of academic self-esteem if not able to keep up with the class, to name a few.  More and more children are coming home because they just don’t want to be in that dysfunctional system. 

                *Job training.  It has always bothered me that the only purpose in life seems to be to go to

school so you can get into college, so you can get a better job, so you can make a lot of money and acquire things, so you can retire and be completely absorbed with self.  I want a higher purpose for obtaining knowledge.  To identify Truth, to know and implement correct principles, to improve society in a positive and meaningful way through service and mission, and of course, to bring about Zion. 

                *A Godless institution.  When I first began choosing curriculum, I was completely uncomfortable with text that tried to include religion into every subject matter – everything from PE to penmanship, History, science, literature, and even Math.  It took a long time to realize that it is really the purpose of education to lay that foundation of faith in all aspects of life.  And that my own schooling had stripped God out of the equation and compartmentalized information rather than uniting all things into one great whole of truth.  The founding fathers defined education to be three-fold: religion / morals / knowledge.  Our schools today only teach knowledge and the products they produce show the imbalance.  In only 20 short years, American education went from the top of the world to the bottom, and the difference was the removal of Religion, Civics, and a mother’s influence from the schools.  http://vimeo.com/22089587

                *Education is the battleground for freedom.  Both in American Freedom as well as the

continuation of the war waged in heaven before the world began.  We chose to come to earth so that we would have agency.  And through the dumbing down of the mind through detached and hate of learning (not necessarily taught but definitely the product of schools), we are losing the battle here.  I want my children to be fully educated so that their freedoms and agency are preserved for future generations. 

                *It’s right.  When I learned that its part of human nature to have confidence in what is most familiar, even if it is wrong, I wanted to question everything.  Everything from our traditions and habits to why we do things the way we do.  Is it right or is it based on a tradition without choice.  It was quite a journey to realize how much of our actions are based on the influence of others. 

                *Goals.  The public school has definite goals and purposes for the approach they take to educate.  And they are very successful at obtaining those goals.  It just so happens that those goals are not the same as my goals for my children.  The Family is the system that the Lord had established for educating of children – and that stewardship is still in force today. 

I’m sure if I thought about it long enough, I could find many more reasons to educate at home.  And this is only the tip of the iceberg in these categories.  Ultimately, for me, the assurance from God that he wants me to teach my children at home, is the biggest and most sustaining reason.