A Plain Country Homestead

This came on a homschool group I am on and I had to share it.   Too many times, first time homeschoolers get that over-whelmed feeling (ok -- a lot of us old timers do, too!) and there is no need to be.  I know different states have different "requirements" as far as what they expect from someone homeschooling, but still...remember why you started schooling your children in the first place.  I don't know of any of us who started this journey, or even entertained the idea beforehand, simply to educate our children.  Most homeschooler's felt led to this journey, felt called to this journey, to teach their children something more than merely ABC's and 123's.  They didn't come to this choice lightly without long prayers and discussions.  They didn't make this step to be a carbon copy of school at home.  They came to their decision after many steps, and they have a goal in mind more often than not -- they want to raise children who are prepared for the world ahead of them, both educationally and spiritually.

We need to renew our minds according to God’s word. Our children are
not ‘behind’. This is a lie, there is no behind. We do not have to ride
on the school’s conveyor belt education, where a child learns x in grade 1,
x and y in grade 2, etc. We have a better way!
Testing compares your child to others, it doesn’t show what your child
knows, unless you test him on what he’s been studying!. Besides, how many
‘facts’ that you learned in school is beneficial to you now anyway? What is
important is your worldview, your attitude and your character. THAT isn’t
taught in school, at least not the worldview, attitude and character we
desire.
It’s a love of learning we want to teach. Our children may not know
everything about science, but they will know the God who created it and will
learn about the things God directs them in (my 10ds is learning about
chickens of all things, totally on his own!) and will know HOW to learn
what they need to know as they get older.
It is for freedom that Christ set us free! Oh how I long for us all to know
experience, live in that freedom!
I think ‘knowledge’ or ‘education’ may be one of the ‘things’ talked about
in Matt 6:31-33. Think how highly esteemed and sought after it is among men

The important thing is to remember what should be first, Matt 6:33 again.
And remember you are training your child in the way HE should go, not the
way the schools are preparing (or should I say trying to brainwash into good
little global citizens) hundreds of children with various aptitudes.
Enjoy your time together! Don’t think of it as school, this is LIFE. You
are disciple+ing your children. In most versions Jeremiah 29:11, thoughts
in the KJV is translated ‘plans’. Yes, God has a PLAN for your child, a
unique, tailor made, God ordained plan that will lead towards a future and a
hope. Let’s all try to seek God’s plan for our children , rather than try
to create our own. He instilled in children the joy of learning, let’s not
quench it! Find out what they are interested in and learn about it!

You first time homeschooling moms. I encourage you, You are doing a great
job! Just having your children with you is beneficial. Build your
relationship, let them work with you on the things you do, they WILL learn!
Do real life things, write letters to grandma to work on grammatically
correct sentences, try to grow a houseplant or garden, get some pet fish,
cook together, READ some good books together! OFE offers lots of good
reading material. Reading together is sooooo beneficial and Fun! The goal
is not to just have knowledge but to be able to use it and function
effectively as adults! God gave these children to you and will equip you
and lead you in everything you need to raise them.
Remember, you are not Behind! Maybe on a different schedule, but not
Behind!

Wednesday, April 11, 2007 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Keeblur
What an encouragement! Thanks!!
Vicki