I have been praying and trying to decide whether I should homeschool my oldest son. There have been many factors leading up to this decision. Many times I feel that I should be homeschooling him. Other times I feel that I am not equipped to homeschool him.
I know that I am fully trained and able to teach my son. I am a certified teacher. I taught my son how to read before he was even in preschool. I have the teaching skills. I have the knowledge base. I have the love of my child. Yet, I am hesitant to make the leap.
Do you ever feel that what you THINK you can’t HANDLE, might actually be God HANDING you a gift? I have been pondering this thought many times the past few weeks.
Why does the idea and thought of homeschooling my son scare me so much? When the thought of a complete stranger having my child for 7 hours a day (with 23 other 6 year olds who are strangers to our family) is completely okay!?
I want to be the primary influence in my children’s life. I want to make sure that they know that we love them, unconditionally. I want to teach them to love God, follow in His ways, love learning and to be a valuable member to society. I want to encourage him to be different. Be uniquely Him.
Yet, the commitment for committing to homeschooling intimidates me. Being with my children 24/7 365 sounds like a fun idea… but when would I get my down time? Would they be happy? Would mommy be happy? Would we actually get a long and learn? Would this be a good thing?
Perhaps I am over thinking it. Perhaps I should just graciously accept this God given gift of teaching and teach my children. My children whom God has blessed me with.
I need to open my hands, shut my mouth, and let God take the lead. Please pray with me as I continue to decide if this is what is best for my family.
Janice - The Fitness Cheerleader says
No homeschooling here – I know I’m not equipped. Hugs & prayers!
Rachel says
Thanks friend! 🙂 I know that homeschooling is NOT for some people. I just can’t shake this feeling/desire TO do it. Yet it really REALLY scares me for some reason. :shrug:
Kait says
You hit the nose on the head! I want to homeschool my daughter because I want to be there to guide her through spiritual growth, understanding true right from wrong, helping meet her specific learning needs, etc. It terrifies me the thought that when the day comes for Kindergarten sign up that I will have to finalize my decision, but God has a plan and I think He is right there tapping on your heart. Scary none-the-less!
Rachel says
Thank you!! {{Big Squishy cyber HUGS}} I am so glad to hear that I am not alone in my quest! My oldest is in 1st grade and I feel like I have either missed the window… or should take the leap SOON. My two younger boys, I really don’t want to let them go… I am enjoying having them home learning with me. EVEN if the days are long, LOUD and sometimes very tiring. 🙂
Kait says
I personally was homeschooled for kindergarten went in first grade then was home second, third and fourth. I know who friends who put their kids in for a year and it didn’t work then tried it again a few years later. It’s not a formula and that’s the beautify of it too. Prayers for your decision!
Rachel says
Thank you! All of the homeschooling families (Mom’s) I meet, share with me that it is a yearly commitment. They are choosing to home school THAT year. Next year may change. Thank you for your prayers. 🙂
Mandy Webster says
Hi there 🙂 Loved and can relate to everything you said. It took the first 5 years of my daughters life to decide to go ahead and try it. I was SO intimidated! But God would not let this rest in our hearts. And after the decision was made, I had a strange peace about what we were going to attempt 🙂 We are in our 3rd year now. And I am schooling our son also now. Our 1 year old tries to write on everything 🙂 we have hard days, we have days I want to throw in the towel. BUT I wont regret 1 second of the time I have gotten to spend with my little blessings. I will pray for you, its a big decision. Don’t be afraid to step out, if God calls you to it, He will prepare your way. Blessings!!
Melanie Longacre says
I will be praying for you. It is an overwhelming thing to think about sometimes. Even now, after 5 years of homeschooling I still think, “Lord, I can’t do this.” We started homeschooling largely because my oldest has ADD and is gifted and I just knew that school would be too much for him and I was afraid that his abilities would be overshadowed by his disabilities. Now I homeschool more because I can protect my kiddos a little longer than most from all the negative influences around them. I also want to be the primary source of what they are learning. Some days are a struggle, but many are a joy! I am also a trained teacher, and I will say there is no greater joy than seeing those light bulb moments in your own child.
If you decide to homeschool you will spend much time on your knees praying, but maybe that’s part of the gift too; being drawn closer to God.
Rachel says
LOVE this!! Thank you SO much for sharing!! 🙂
Jennifer says
As a homeschooling Mama of 10 years, I can tell you that it was the right decision for our family. One of the things that hits you once you make the leap is that YOU are responsible for your child’s education. Sure, when they were in school, you did PTA, were a room monitor, did the bake sale and checked their grades, but now, if they didn’t “get” long division, there is no blaming the bully who sits behind him. When you realize there is a gap between what you think your kid should know and what he actually knows, you have to look at the teacher in the mirror to find out why. It is a huge shift in thinking, even if you think you’re ready for it. Then another equally huge revelation dawns on you- you are liberated! You can spend an extra month on long division (as we did) until your kid actually GETS it, and no one is pressuring you to keep an arbitrary schedule. You can then knock out 2 chapters in a week on a subject they are really on fire with. It is an empowerment that can’t be described as well as it is felt. Keep praying about it. It’s not for everyone, but if it’s right for your family, it will revolutionize life as you know it in a lot of awesome ways!
Steph @fitmomtraining says
Though I have entertained the idea of homeschooling my boys, I know I’m not equipped to give them a decent education. I hope you find your answers and peace with that decision. Hugs mama!
Rachel says
Thank you. I know that I am equipped… it is just how to juggle every thing else on my plate too.
PLUS I really want/NEED my husband’s support on this to make it work. :sigh:
Corrina says
This is such a personal and yearly decision! I was home-schooled, public-schooled and christian-schooled! Each time a change was made, there were many reasons behind it, and it was right for me and the family. I don’t think that one type of education is necessarily “better” or “best” because it’s so individual and relative to your situation and circumstances. I know if God led me to home-school–I could and would do it. I think having your kids in public school can be a great tool for spiritual development too–you teach your children how to filter what they hear and see and how to make God a part of every part of their life.
My mom was also a teacher and like I said, there were years she home schooled us, and years she didn’t for a variety of reasons 🙂
Rachel says
Thank you SO much for your input and words of encouragement!
I know that if we choose to homeschool… it is not a forever decision.
Yet, this decision IS very important and crucial to our next steps with educating our children. <3