Why We Homeschool

I am a professional educator by trade. I have taught in both public and private schools. The plan had always been to stay home with the children until they were old enough to go to school, and then, like millions of other families, we would send them off to our local public school, and I would go back to work. Then we met our children.

Bubba is gifted in mathematics and engineering, has a very tender heart, and loves to talk about Jesus, but he is wholly unmotivated in many other areas. He is also generally quiet and compliant. When we thought about his future school life, we saw him as that kiddo who never really gets noticed, but merely passes the time each day, unfocused and bringing home "good enough" grades.

Bug is gifted in language and seeing the big picture. She is very polite and loving, but she frequently does not recognize social cues, and her anxieties lead her to be very controlling. When we thought about her future school life, we saw her as the kiddo who spent most of her day traveling between the hall outside of her classroom and the principal's office.

Bear is a happy, social child, but her developmental delays left us wondering about the quality of education she would receive. We wanted more for her than just learning to hold her spoon or being labeled as part of the "baby class".

Then we began to consider homeschooling as a possible option. We prayed about it and discussed it for some time, while gradually beginning an at home routine that focused on preschool-like skills. We spoke with other homeschoolers and reviewed homeschooling laws, and finally decided to take the plunge.

We are only just completing our first homeschooling year, but it's been wonderful. In a world of everyone for themselves, my children are finding out that looking out for the other person is equally, if not more, important. We see the way Bubba uses his tender heart to focus Bug's anxiousness, and we know we made the right choice. We see the way both of her siblings praise each developmental step Bear takes, and we know we made the right choice. We see the way our children are learning to see God in all parts of their daily lives, and we know we made the right choice. I'm so glad we decided to allow God to change our plans and our hearts.