Yes, there is something I haven’t told you. Something I have been doing in secret:
I have been homeschooling with my daughter this year.
Most of you are probably saying, “So? I thought you WERE a homeschooler.”
Well, I never thought I would be. Growing up, I never knew a homeschooler that could spell, much less hold a decent conversation with someone. As a Children’s Pastor I could spot the homeschoolers a mile away. They stuck out–and not always in a good way.
Lydia is only 4, so this homeschooling isn’t official, doesn’t take several hours and isn’t very detailed. It’s just a preschool test to see what we’ll be doing when kindergarten comes next fall.
Is it ok if I talk this schooling journey out with you? I need a little advice and maybe some perspective from some like-minded friends! Here we go…
When Lydia was 2 and everyone started putting their kids in preschool or Mother’s Morning Out, friends would ask me, “Are you putting Lydia in school?” And I was shocked. She’s a baby! And I’m a stay-at-home-mom! Why would I pay money to let someone else make a craft with her?
When she was 3, more questions about Lydia’s schooling. Why wasn’t she going to school? I just didn’t feel like it was necessary. I mean, I stay home for a reason. I want to influence my daughter. But I also want to hang out with her.
Now that she’s 4, I’m assuming most people wonder what in the world I’m doing by not letting her go to school. After all, when she hits kindergarten won’t it be a shock? Going to school for 8 hours a day, 5 days a week? Yes. It will.
During these last 2 years my heart has been slowly changing. Or maybe it’s never changed and my priorities have. I’m not fearful of a public school. I started going to daycare when I was 6 weeks old. I went to kindergarten with the same public school kids I graduated with. I never “rebelled” or turned away from God. School wasn’t my thing. Church is where my friends were. It was my life. Raising a Godly kid in a public school? It can be done–and it happens all the time!
So, it’s not the fear that my kids will learn about evolution as truth or have church history glossed over. It’s more about my priorities. I don’t want my daughter getting on a bus at 6:45am and not getting home until 4pm. I don’t want her to come home, eat dinner and go to bed. I want her best friend to be her brother–not a kid at school. I want her to be familiar with the library, not a school cafeteria. I want to teach her Bible verses without worrying that she’s already got too much other stuff to memorize for school.
HOWEVER.
There are some lessons to be learned in school. Like how to get along with people you don’t like. How to stand in line and hang up your backpack in the right spot. How to do things you don’t want to do. How to learn on your own. How to appreciate others differences. How to see the distinction between your values and another’s.
And there’s the basic fitting in with others. If 90% of people go to public/private school, then 90% of the people you’ll deal with as an adult went to public/private school. They are coming from the same background. Sometimes it’s nice just to understand those around you!
So, I’ve been at a crossroads. Or maybe a dilemma. Or maybe I’m just wishy washy. I can’t figure out what I want. Or what’s more important.
This year I decided to dip my toes in the world of homeschooling. I bought a little curriculum book called Five in a Row. It’s basically what I have always done with Lydia—you read a book a week and do daily activities about it. Only these activities focus on science, art, literature, etc. It’s super easy and actually really fun. Of course, I’ve been adding a memory verse to each lesson and it’s been fun to make these lessons have a Christian world-view.
But does that make me want to homeschool full-time? I don’t know.
This week I’ve been looking into private Christian schools in the area—especially the ones that have half-day kindergarten. I’ve also found a school that does 2 day a week at school and 3 days at home. School is going to be a shock to our little family…I just want to find the shock that will be worth it!
This morning as I was reading my Bible (#hellomornings!) and found this verse:
Show me your ways, O LORD,
teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me
Psalm 25:4-5
And it hit me. This is not about ME figuring out what’s BEST for MY daughter and MY family. I need to ask God to show me HIS ways for our family, to teach me HIS paths for the schooling of my kids and to guide me in HIS truth about what my kids need and where they will thrive. I need God to teach ME and not worry so much about who will teach my kids. Regardless of where my daughter is on her first day of kindergarten, God’s already been there. He is preparing her teachers (even if it’s me), her friends (even if I’ve never met any of them) and He’s been preparing her.
I’m praying this verse as we decide what to do. I’m praying this verse as I call administrators and tour schools. And I believe God is true to His Word. I believe He’ll lead us. I’m excited to see where we end up!
Leigh says
AMANDA! how exciting! Remember when we talked about doing homeschool/not homeschool posts for IYK? 😉
I have unofficially started kindergarten with Elias this year, and we are loving it. I will be praying for you and Lydia and your family – that you will know what God does have for you all… and know that I am here for you!
ohamanda says
Yes! Yes! I was going to reference that in this post. 🙂
You did kindergarten w/him…starting in the fall? I guess I didn’t know it was kindergarten! Cool!
(I’m going to email you…)
Amy says
We went through the same thing when Emma went to school 2 years ago. I’d been raised in public school all my life and had the same outlook as you. But their preschool was at a church (since I work at home i needed preschool) and i so appreciated God in all they did. We visited a private school. In the end I felt God leading us to the public school. Ours is one of the best in the state and honestly their (private) scores were way lowers than public. We couldn’t consider homeschool because of my job. Bottom line you just have to do what God leads you to. Not all kids are the same and not all parents are equipped to teach. I’ll say a prayer for you guys!
ohamanda says
Thank you, Amy! I’m not even sure about the public schools in my area. They are probably middle of the road (I’d know if they were the best, dontcha think?)
Jen @ BigBinder says
My son just started first grade this year – I was decidedly NOT going to homeschool. But this year, it got real. I can relate to your thougths… more than relate, I’ve had several of the same ones. My post is “And just like that, I questioned everything” and I just wrote it last week. It could have been an entire book – that’s the brief version of my feelings right now.
ohamanda says
Exactly. Questioned everything. As with everything in parenting.
Sandra says
I am homeschooling our 3 yo and almost 5 yo, but my 5 yo did attend preschool at our church and my 3 yo probably will next year. The school the kids attend 2 days a week sounds really cool. Wish we had something like that around here. Seems like the best of both worlds!
ohamanda says
I know. That’s what I’m thinking–2 days a week to get the hang-up-your-backpack and get-along-with-others but 3 days to be a family!
Mandi @ Life...Your Way says
This was my number one reason for deciding to homeschool. I don’t want to miss out on these hours with my kids. I want to be there when they learn to read, when they have a tough question about war or poverty or faith, when they just need a hug. It’s already going by way too fast, and I don’t want to give up more time with them.
That said, you’re completely right — I was in daycare and then school full-time from the time I was a baby, and my mom and I are still really close. So I don’t think there’s anything wrong with the other choice either.
Just some thoughts:
*I do think structured activities are important for kids to interact with their peers without mom hovering and to learn to follow other adults directions. But that’s what ballet, swimming lessons, soccer and co-op are for, right?
*I’m not sure I agree with the premise that they need to go to public school to be able to interact with all of the other people that have gone to public school. The thing about socialization is they’re NOT going to be interacting with people who are exactly their age 8 hours a day in a classroom as adults, so there’s no reason that should be their training ground. Instead, teach them to interact with adults and to care for babies and younger children as well! That’s true socialization!
Excited to see where this takes you guys — whatever your decision for next year is!
ohamanda says
You’re right, Mandi! I agree with everything you say (as usual)…and your posts on homeschool has always been attractive to me!
I guess, I just see some (not all) homeschooling families where I can see that their kids will only be able to function in an environment like their family’s. I would definitely not fall that way, but it’s just what I’ve seen. (Does that make sense?)
Thanks for the great input!
Mandi @ Life Your Way says
Definitely — we even have 1-2 families in our co-op that seem a little more stereotypical (although I’ve come to appreciate the wisdom they offer even if they do things different), but I would guess that you’d never be able to pick out the other 90% in a crowd (unless you heard them singing about William the Conqueror or reciting the 7 types of biomes, LOL!).
But I think the “antisocial” issues stem from their lifestyle and beliefs, not from homeschooling!
ohamanda says
Right again!
Carisa says
Oh can I relate. I wrote out much of my story in a guest post here: http://www.thehomeschoolvillage.com/2010/08/guest-post-carisa.html
Obviously there’s much more to it, but to say the decision to homeschool did not come easy and was all about God’s plan and NOT MINE sums it up nicely!
ohamanda says
Cannot wait to read this! It’s funny I’ve met so many “reluctant homeschoolers”!
a
Sheri says
Hi Amanda,
I can TOTALLY relate to your post! We are in our third year of homeschooling. We pulled my then 4th grader and 1st grader out of public school for a MULTITUDE of reasons. Homeschooling was NEVER an option for us. Ever. Until the summer going into 4th grade.
I wrote about our reason to homeschool here – http://meaningfulhomelife.blogspot.com/2010/04/why-i-homeschool.html
We started a homeschool co-op last year as a way to deal with the issues you raised. We meet weekly for ‘semesters’ on Friday mornings from 9-1. The kids attend 3 classes taught by moms and the kids get to 1) learn how to stand in line, 2)learn how to learn from other adults as ‘teacher’, 3) learn to interact with a variety of ages (we have infant – 15 year olds), 4) learn to handle hurt feelings and conflict with other kids, 5) and how to behave in a ‘class’ setting. We have sought to build a true community of homeschoolers to support and encourage one another. Check it out here – http://www.chillsacramento.com
God will lead you to the path He wants you on, even if you change mid-course. 😉
Melissa@SimplyMel says
Good luck! I struggled with this (as I think you know) and pulled my daughter out of her her little school where she was going to do Kinder this year at the last minute. Suddenly, it hit me! It was the right time! I should do it NOW. And I’m really enjoying it. I’ve found that I’m a better teacher than I thought. Sure, Katelyn and I bump heads a lot and Katelyn grumbles about the work she has to do while her sister is playing. But all in all it has been a great experience. I like homeschooling for all the reasons you listed. I also like the flexibility. I think you’re doing a fantastic job of really thinking and praying about it. And it’s not something you have to commit to for the rest of your life. You can take it year by year.
ohamanda says
I’m glad to hear more of your journey, Melissa! And I’m sure, even if there have been rough spots, that you’ll find yourself (and your girls) getting better at it as the year(s) go on.
Kim says
Went through the same dilemma years ago. Ended up homeschooling through high school. My adult kids are head and shoulders above others their age – not just academically but also socially. Wouldn’t change a thing…
ohamanda says
Thanks for your input! Love to hear success stories!
Kristen says
I’d love to know the name of the school that is 2 days in 3 days out. I’ve always thought it’d be fun to have SOME school but not ALL school. Thanks for sharing your thoughts…it was like reading my own mind! Our son is 4 and we’re in the same stage of deciding what the fall will look like. So glad that the Lord knows!!
ohamanda says
I’m emailing you the name of the school…
But if anyone is interested in this style here is some more information (and links to schools):
http://www.naums.net/index2.html
Becky says
Would you still be willing to share the name or info about this 2 day per week school? Not sure if there is something like that where I live, but I would love to learn more about it (and the link you posted above no longer works). Thank you so much – very excited about this!
~Becky
Julie R. says
hey did you get any info from this site? for some reason i cannot get the site to come up but i am real interested in this type of school! please let me know if you have any other info – thanks a ton!
Julie R.
ohamanda says
Here’s the University Model School link:
http://www.naums.net/
Email me if you have any more questions! (Not sure if I have the answers, but I’ll try!)
amanda at impressyourkids dot com
ohamanda says
Here’s another similar school idea. I think it’s 1 day/week: http://new.veritasschools.com/
ohamanda says
Try this link:
http://www.naums.net/
And then I’d try googling local homeschool co-ops b/c even if it’s not the same idea, there would be some info and people who would know about those things in your area!
Hope that helps!
a
ohamanda says
Hey Becky: Here’s another link I found to a similar school idea: http://new.veritasschools.com/
Becky says
Thank you so much, Amanda! I have put some feelers out to homeschool friends and have found one option that is at least related to this idea but not as good, in my opinion). Unfortunately there are no schools in MN through the sites you mentioned, but I’m going to keep looking since I don’t need to decide for this year…but I think pre-schooling at home will go so quickly – so it is good to think ahead! 😉 Thanks again for the links – I just love your blog!
~Becky
Suzanne Gosselin says
Amanda,
I was home schooled all the way through. My mom was a pioneer in homeschooling and she pulled me out of preschool for many of the same reasons you mention related to priorities. At a parent day, she noted that I was concentrating on a coloring sheet when the teacher made all the kids change “stations” (blocks or something was next). In her spirit, she felt it was wrong to force me to do something new when I was so focused in my work. School just wasn’t for me, and mom believed she could give me a better education at home.
I did attend Christian school for one year in third grade, because my mom was pregnant with my younger sister and homeschooling laws were fierce in PA. Though I easily made friends and did well academically, I was very bored at school. Open hours for creative play had become a part of who I was (still am!), and I missed that desperately. So Mom and Dad gave me the choice, and I chose home school. Two of my three younger siblings also home schooled all the way (the youngest went to public school starting in middle school). We’re all college graduates loving the Lord and operating within our gifts and passions.
I think you are on to the heart of the issue. What kind of schooling with God direct you to that will be the best for Lydia — the education that will help her thrive. Kevin and I will seriously consider home schooling our children, but I also plan to be open to other options should the Lord direct.
I admire that you are seeking the Lord on this matter. All who seek will find.
ohamanda says
Thank you for such a great personal story! I have had a hard time w/all of this b/c like I said, my experience w/homeschooling (or any alternative to public) has not been good.
I love hearing your story! And I am agreeing (and believing) with you–All who seek will find!
Thank you again!
a
Suzanne Gosselin says
And a funny YouTube video on the subject: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQoSRfu5z_4
ohamanda says
Hilarious! I just watched it and laughed out loud!
Amy says
I struggled with public vs homeschooling long before I even had kids. I always looked down on homeschooling, bad, I know. But that was BEFORE I understood. I always though homeschoolers were sheltered kids. They had no friends, never experienced filed trips, dances, parties, etc… Boy was I wrong!
Once Emily came around, I never wanted her to leave me. But unfortunately, I had to work & she was in daycare from 6wks on. I hated it, but she loved it. She went to 4 different daycares… does that tell you anything? lol I was very picky.
Then Olivia came & I had the opportunity to be a SAHM & I got so close to my kids, I didn’t want Emily to go to school. But she seemed to look forward to it. Still, I tossed around the idea of homeschooling & did lots of research. Never knew there was such a thing as co-ops. I read about homeschoolers doing sports & other extra curricular activities. Hmmm… so they were getting the opportunity to make friends & get that “socialization” that everyone talked about. In the end, I put her in school.
She seemed to thrive in Kindergarten, but then 1st Grade didn’t go so well. When SHE begged me to homeschool her, I decided to take the leap & I haven’t looked back.
I’ve been criticized about my choice, because every child needs friends. So, you’re saying I should put my children in school just so they can make friends?? Yeah, not a selling point with me.
My girls are best friends. Yes, they have their moments, but we all do. They play so well with each other. They’ve learned lessons about fairness, sharing, love, anger, sadness, etc…
If you’re thinking Lydia needs to go to school solely to learn about things like putting things in order or waiting in lines… those are things you can teach her with every day life. There are lines at the stores, at Disney, lol 😉 and other places you might go.
Putting her clothes, shoes, toys away teaches her order.
Life itself is a learning experience!
Oh & since church has become a priority with us, there are opportunities to make friends & she is going on a field trip at the end of this month. 😉
I pray you’ll know, without a doubt, which direction God wants you to go in.
ohamanda says
Amy, thank you so much! I admire your homeschooling journey b/c I know you’ve done so much on your own. And thru some rough times.
I know your girls are getting the best education (and interaction) possible–and loving it the whole time!
ps–so glad to hear about a good church!
love you!
Carrie K says
My journey is similar to yours…. I started the idea of homeschooling because I did not feel like sending my kids to preschool since I’d made the choice to leave my career to be WITH them. My oldest is 8 and middle is 5 and we have a 2 year old. One thing that is available in the Phoenix area are homeschool “school” programs both through the public school system and there are also private schools that take homeschoolers 1-2 days per week. We homeschool 4 days per week and one day a week my two oldest attend a Public School program for Homeschooled Kids where they go to a regular classroom, have lunch in the cafeteria and have electives like art and PE. For us, this is a great balance where they can learn some aspects of school, have fun with friends but we also get the benefits and time to homeschool the other days. The 20 kids in their class are also homeschoolers so they don’t feel out of place even though the other kids at the elementary school attend every day. Also, I very much enjoy one DAY OFF a week to do errands and spend time with my 2 year old.
ohamanda says
That is very cool! I’ve never heard of a public school w/that option! Is it just a local thing? Or some kind of national initiative?
Carrie K says
Just local as far as I know… but I know of at least 4 programs in our area. They were difficult to find out about but maybe a local homeschool group could tell you. Best wishes! Here’s a link to the one my boys attend: http://www.kyrene.org/casavida/
Land of Lovings says
I can say that I distinctly remember saying once that I would “absolutely never homeschool my kids.” Then my oldest turned 4 and we started getting comments from her preschool teachers about how they wished she could write her name, know her letter sounds, etc. like “all the other kids.” I knew at that moment that I didn’t want her to be in an environment where not being like all the other kids was going to be seen as a negative. We made the choice to send her to a one day a week local Christian homeschool academy and I really believe it was one of the best decisions we’ve ever made. I absolutely love homeschooling and when she was evaluated this year as dyslexic and the learning struggles she had been having at four had a name to it I felt God reassuring me that this choice really was the best for her.
Plus, I think my kids are pretty cool and hated the idea of sending them away for 8 hours a day for someone else to enjoy! The nice thing about her one-day a week school is that she gets the social aspect of school and the experience of structure that comes from sitting in a classroom but the flexibility of learning at home in an environment that I can mold to best fit her learning style.
Good luck making your decision about this. It isn’t an easy one and I’m more than just a little embarrassed to admit that for the first year I avoided telling people about our choice for fear of their unsolicited opinions! In the end, you know your child best and God will show you the best way to facilitate the kind of learning you want for her!
ohamanda says
See, I love that you were just in tune w/your daughter and what she needed. That’s what I (hopefully) am doing.
Wanna email me which homeschool academy you guys go to?
Thank you for the great insight!
Andi says
When I was at your stage of life, I thought I would never be the mom with four children ALL in public schools. I wanted to homeschool or at least have them in a classical Christian school. Yet, God stepped in, and through a series of family crises made me unavailable to teach or even research our educational experience when my first child went to 5K. We still take every child and every year as they come and re-evaluate appropriately. We try hard not to judge those who have chosen different paths for their children and don’t hold grudges with those who judge us for the choices we have made. In short, the best and safest place for your child to be is in the center of God’s Will. I just never thought it would be where we are…praise God for His mysterious ways!
ohamanda says
What a great story, Andi! You, of course, would be the perfect homeschool mom…yet I know you are the perfect public school mom. I know how involved you are w/your kids and their lives. And that’s what I really want—to influence and (dare I say?) impress my kids!
Thank you for your story!
a
Candace says
I definitely wondered why Lydia wasn’t in preschool, but not in a bad way. I honestly figured you were homeschooling & not saying anything 😉
I was 100% against homeschool until about 2 years ago. Now, we’ll start conner next fall & I can’t believe how excited I am! We were going to drop some major dough on sending him to a private school but the more we prayed about it, the more the Lord showed us what his will was for us & our family, & homeschooling was part of it. But I have been incredibly grateful for the fact that both of the boys are in preschool this year – gives me a chance to come up for air before embarking on this next year. Either way, so excited for you & that you’re enjoying it!!
ohamanda says
Candace, you’re part of the reason I’m considering this! You told me you did NOT want to homeschool and now here you are excited about it! 🙂
I want to know more about what you’re doing! 🙂
Sarah Neely says
I’ve been at every part of the spectrum- Daycare, Private School, Homeschool, Public School and Homeschool. (In that order)
It’s a complex story that’ll probably get it’s own blog post eventually, but the short of it was- I loved being HOME with family and hanging out with my friends on purpose other times. I chose to come home partway through High School because I felt it was cold and impersonal and I wanted to be someplace where people cared about me.
The final straw, I will say, Is when I got in trouble for missing school. A virus was going around my house and when I got better mom and my sisters were all sick, so I stayed home to take care of them for two more days while THEY threw up. Got back and was hauled in to see a sheriff who was handling absences. He told me point-blank that my job was NOT to stay home, it was to be in school. That made me mad and sparked the idea to leave.
ANYWAY. All that to say- I’ve learned alot from everything I’ve done my choice was to return home. I’ll probably choose to home school my children *for a while* because I remember how much I loved being with mom and my sister and going to museums and parks and zoos. When I did go to public school, I learned alot more things and made alot of new friends, which was good. (I was bored and ahead in alot of my classes, but that’s another story.)
I’m grateful now for my variety of experiences, I’m able to relate to alot of people in a unique way and have a unique education and perspective. It still separates me from my peers sometimes- but only in good ways 🙂
oh amanda says
I like how you said it, it separates you “but only in good ways”. That’s what I want–my kids do be different but in good ways (GODLY ways)!
Thanks for the input!
vanessa@silly eagle books says
did I tell you I pulled juliet out of preschool already. 🙂 that was my short-lived attempt….now we are just practicing writing at home…kind of. Mostly, I am nursing a baby…
oh amanda says
*gasp* Really?! I wanna know more!
Kristy says
I say that we are ‘accidental’ homeschoolers. We intended to send our oldest to kindergarten this year, but when I went to orientation, we just felt it was the wrong place for her. I came home, tried a practice day the next day and we’ve been happily home schooling ever since.
I love knowing what she’s doing, and as she is a young kindergartner, that she still gets a rest time in the afternoon. The girls had been so worried about what the other would be doing during the day (they are two years apart). I’m glad about the hours we get to keep–we start pretty early (usually 7:30), but we don’t have to meet the bus or anything like that.
I wish you the best in this decision. We felt like God truly laid this in our lap, when we weren’t looking for it, and we are grateful.
oh amanda says
See, that’s the best way–and how you can truly know God is in it–I love when it “falls in your lap”.
Tricia says
Wow! All of these comments are so great! I have to say I just finished (i hope) the very emotional decision about school placement for my oldest daughter. She started kindergarten this Sept. at a private Christian school. We started praying about this and researching options WAY awhile ago. Despite our decision, I do think that homeschooling is awesome. Parents should be their child’s main spiritual teacher. I honestly don’t think there are enough hours in the day to “impress” God’s word on my kids from during regular relationship building time spent together WHEN they are in school 5 days a week. Alas, I work 3 days a week and homeschooling is not an option right now. My husband and I both work in public schools. The public educators I work with do an awesome job and I value their expertise. However….almost on a daily basis I see the “world” pushing it’s humanistic world view on these little children. I don’t want to hide my kids from the world,(okay, I do a little) but I do want them to have a firm foundation in their faith before peers/teachers start pushing their views on my kids. I love that I send my daughter to a school where her teacher and peers pray with her. We have three children and paying for one child in private school has been challenging. I don’t know how long we will be able to do it. Just have to trust the Lord. I considered it a gift and a blessing to send my daughter to this school.
Ken Ham has a powerful video on his views of homeschooling. He almost makes you feel like a bad parent if you don’t. But I do think he has a lot of good points. Keep us posted on your decision making process!
oh amanda says
How great that you have an awesome private school to send her to! I agree, the world pushes from all sides–even on little kids.
Somehow I have to shield her from that until she can do it on her own.
Carolyn says
Schooling is a very important topic and something that we (and many other people, obviously) prayed about a lot before making the public school choice for our children. (Our oldest is in 1st grade now- so only one is in school at this point.) We partially have a unique situation because the school is quite small (K-12 all in the same building) and my husband is a teacher at the school as well- although I think that even if those two things were not true, we still would have made the same choice. I recognize that everyone has to do what God is leading them to do for their family and I’m so glad to see that you are not making a decision out of fear, because I believe that is one of the most important things, and sadly, one of the main reasons Christian parents often keep their kids out of the public school. As we were seeking God before making our decision, I found a book that confirmed everything God was speaking into my heart. I would encourage you to read that book- it is called Going Public by David and Kelli Pritchard. I think every Christian parent should read it, no matter what their schooling decision.
I know you don’t know me, but I really enjoy your blog, I use your prayer calendar every day, and I’m good friends with Michelle from “So I Married a Mennonite” (known her since we were kids- we were in each other’s weddings) so hopefully that gives me some credibility. 🙂
oh amanda says
I so agree, Carolyn! People shield their kids out of fear and it usually backfires.
How cool that you have a great public school—and that your husband is there. I think just knowing he’s in the building is comforting to you AND a guard for your child! I’m going to check out the book you mentioned!
{And you made me laugh about your credibility! I welcome and love your comment regardless of you know!)
Carolyn says
Schooling is a very important topic and something that we (and many other people, obviously) prayed about a lot before making the public school choice for our children. (Our oldest is in 1st grade now- so only one is in school at this point.) We partially have a unique situation because the school is quite small (K-12 all in the same building) and my husband is a teacher at the school as well- although I think that even if those two things were not true, we still would have made the same choice. I recognize that everyone has to do what God is leading them to do for their family and I’m so glad to see that you are not making a decision out of fear, because I believe that is one of the most important things, and sadly, one of the main reasons Christian parents often keep their kids out of the public school. As we were seeking God before making our decision, I found a book that confirmed everything God was speaking into my heart. I would encourage you to read that book- it is called Going Public by David and Kelli Pritchard. I think every Christian parent should read it, no matter what their schooling decision.
I know you don’t know me, but I really enjoy your blog, I use your prayer calendar every day, and I’m good friends with Michelle from “So I Married a Mennonite” (known her since we were kids- we were in each other’s weddings) so hopefully that gives me some credibility. 🙂
God Bless you in your search!
Carolyn
Erica says
Thank you for this post. I have a lot of the same feelings that you do. My son is only 3, but I’m already struggling with what to do. We’re really leaning toward homeschooling, so I’ve started ‘playing school’ with him a couple of times a week. We have him enrolled one day a wee in a two hour preschool at the Y. Since we just moved, we don’t know many people in the area, and the preschool lets him play with kids his age and learn ‘group norms’. So far it’s working out. We’ll see how I feel when he actually gets to school age, though.
Thanks again for sharing!
oh amanda says
Thanks, Erica! Isn’t helpful to know other moms that are in the same spot! Keep us updated on what you’re doing!
Kat @ Inspired To Action says
Very cool!
I’ve never been homeschooled and I have no plans to homeschool.
I don’t think it fits my temperament and gifts nor those of my kids right now.
I kinds of wish it did, though. My husband works from home, so we could theoretically do a lot more traveling if their school schedule allowed.
That said, I absolutely adore their school. My kids go to a private Christian school and I feel like I’m sending them into a big warm hug each day. Probably because I actually am. When I drop them off the teachers welcome them with a big hug. I know all the teachers quite well and deeply admire them. My children don’t have grandparents nearby, so I love the influence these older women have on my kids. And honestly, their affirmation that I’m headed in the right direction with them means a lot and is really encouraging to me. They’re wonderful mothers with grown children and I value their input.
Since we do send them off to school, though, we don’t do much in the way of extracurricular activity. We keep things low key outside of school and play a lot.
It’s the perfect situation for us.
oh amanda says
That’s it, Kat! There’s some kind of idea in society that parents aren’t the best ones for the job so we hire teachers, coaches, counselors, instructors to do it all for us–and we essentially become taxi drivers.
Not doing extracurricular stuff puts emphasis on your fam. Love it!
{ps–as I’ve been contemplating all this stuff, you were on my list to email b/c I thought you sent your kids to school!}
Melissa says
My son will be 3 at the end of this month and other then him being younger than your daughter and us having a little more time I could have written this post word for word. I struggle daily(even though we still have a while) with whether we should home school. And we are in the midst of everyone I know asking me if I will put my son in preschool and later pre-k. The truth for us is I love having him home. And to think we only get a short time with our children home and to influence them. Thanks for sharing where you are on this journey. Praying God shows you the path to take clearly.
Elizabeth says
We homeschool. We always have. It was never an option for us to send them to a private school because they are flippin expensive. We looked at one when we lived in Roswell and it was like $500 per month for the first kid. We are in our bazillionth year of school now and they are doing well. I highly recommend coops and classes with other kids. So you don’t become those weirdos everyone thinks of. But for real, I don’t really know any of those weirdo kids. And believe me we know a lot of homeschoolers. Homeschooling has changed so much over the past few years that it’s not as easy as it once was to pick us out.
I began homeschooling in Georgia and we have continued in Colorado. I love homeschooling here. There are so many options available here. They attend a science and spanish class 2 days per week for 3 hours each day. It’s good for them and a really great break for me.
I went to public school all the way thru high school. My husband was homeschooled, Christian schooled and very little public school. I began homeschooling our oldest when he started reading at age 4. I won’t say that I have loved every minute of it. There are still days when I threaten to drop them off at the elementary school across the street. And it’s not for everyone. I don’t believe it’s your “Christian duty”, it’s just a choice. And if it works for your family then great but if it doesn’t then don’t sweat it. You can always change your mind. Either way only requires the signing of papers.
BTW My oldest is going in to 7th grade next school year(still can’t believe that)and he’s going to attend a charter school full time. My other will probably still be homeschooled for a few years.
Sorry this is so long. 🙂
ohamanda says
Thanks for your input, Elizabeth! I love hearing how you do it! I remember that CO had lots of Charter Schools! I agree w/you—homeschooling has changed. Lots of people have decided to take control of their kids’ education. It’s a good thing—either w/co-ops or these hybrid schools or whatever. Thanks again! 🙂
S Club Mama says
I am in the same boat. I really am. I hated when my older son turned 2 ‘is he in school?’ why would you send a baby to school? He’s 3 now and has some developmental delays (speech mostly) so that adds in a whole other challenge. Will one-on-one with me be best or would a sped teacher be best? Such a hard decision.
Gosh, I hand it to you for trying this year. I’m going to check out that Five in a Row book to see if that’s something we’d like to do (sounds like it).
Thanks. Oh! I’m over from Home with the Boys. 🙂
ohamanda says
You could absolutely do Five In A Row. It’s one of those things that you can put as little or as much work as you want. Here’s a couple of blogs I’ve found who post about their FIAR lessons: http://sprouts.homeschooljournal.net/tag/five-in-a-row/ http://photojenic.wordpress.com/?s=fiar
Yeah, that’s a hard thing. But maybe there’s an in between for you? Some kind of special class just for speech? Praying for you and your decisions!
S Club Mama says
You are sweet thank you for your prayers. Right now we work with a speech pathologist so maybe that’s something we’ll continue as he gets older (or maybe he’ll grow into his speech and not need it LOL).
Jeni says
Amanda, I am so glad you wrote this post! I’m in exactly the same spot you are, trying to evaluate what to do for kindergarten next year. We’re doing some low-key preschool stuff at home this year, and Wendy really enjoys it! But I keep going back and forth and back again in my mind.
I think part of what has caused my uncertainty is the proximity of the school – it it is literally across the street. The entrance for the school lines up with our driveway. It seems silly to pass up such an obvious opportunity, and yet…I’m just not at peace with it.
I’ve really enjoyed reading all of the comments & conversation!
ohamanda says
Yeah, that would SEEM silly–when the school is across the street. But you need to do what you think God has for you! Praying for you! 🙂
Phoebe says
I haven’t read all of the comments, so forgive me for repeating what’s already been said….
We homeschool our 4 kids, and have from the beginning. It has been amazing for our family. We love all of the time we get together, and the fact that our days are not scheduled according to a school schedule (so basically, the government!) I can’t imagine them being away from me all day. What I do with four kids in 3-4 hours a day, it takes the school system 28 hours per day? (4 kidsx7 hours) Ridiculous! I want those 28 hours!!!
Don’t worry about your kids being able to hang up their backpacks on their hooks and stand in line. Those things can be learned in about 15 minutes. It won’t take years of schooling. They WILL learn that in school and they will learn it WELL, since they will be standing in line a LOT. That’s not how I want MY kid spending their time!! If God is behind your homeschooling, He will cover all of the things you think your kids might be missing by going to school. Really.
Also, don’t forget that if you are part of a church with Sunday School, your kids will spend an hour in a school type setting every week.
I can’t say enough great things about homeschooling!! 🙂
ohamanda says
Thank you, Phoebe! It’s been quite a big decision–and one we’re still not settled on. My husband did all forms of schooling–home, public and private. I was public-schooled my entire life. It’s just a big thing to wrap my mind around! I totally agree about the hours they spend at school—waaaaay too many! I honestly do have tons of memories of standing in line, waiting and sitting at school.