Sometimes I secretly dream of being the kind of mom who makes her kids school lunches and tucks sweet notes in them to discover during their day.
Sometimes I recall my own nostalgic memories of the classroom - dear teachers, the bell of recess, and the desk that was mine to keep my school supplies in - and I wish my child could experience that, too.
Sometimes I imagine having a plate of cookies and a glass of milk ready for when she comes off the school bus. I sit down at the table next to her ready to hear her chatter about her day and fill me in on all the happenings of her life.
Sometimes I resent the heavy load that falls on me to research learning styles, curriculum, and teaching methods. I get overwhelmed with the shear magnitude of taking on my child's education and being responsible for making sure they learn the right things at the right time and is that even possible?
Sometimes I daydream about what I'd do with the time my child is away for school. I'd start working on my Christmas scrapbook that I'm about five years behind on. I'd start going to the gym. Maybe I'd do some volunteering in the community. I'd meet my friends for a mid-morning coffee break. I can see it now .....
The beginning of a new school year is my opportunity to directly face those "sometime moments" and remind myself of all the reasons why I don't give in to them. Even after 12 years of this homeschool gig, I still get frozen with self-doubt and anxiety. Usually preferring to blend in and not be too different from the other "fish", I often find myself swimming in the opposite direction of most I know. The mere sight of the bus in front of my house ready to pick up the neighbourhood kids sends me into a panic attack. At least for a day. So I find myself going back to the only place I trust to find conviction for this lifestyle we've chosen. God's Word.
What is the goal of school? We believe it's to receive an education. We believe an education means for our kids to grow in knowledge and wisdom. Others could add socialization, civic development, moral and ethical development, and opportunities for witnessing one's own belief system in an open atmosphere. While we would agree that that list may certainly be covered in a government school according to their standards and worldview, we hold fast to our belief that the main purpose of attaining education is for growth in knowledge and wisdom.
There are many opinions on how to best grow in knowledge and what kind of knowledge should be pursued. We are passionate about memorization, math fact retention and reading good books. We see learning history as an opportunity to learn His story and studying it in a timeline can give a better, clearer picture of the context of any given period. We see value in children learning communication skills and to be able to comfortably interact with all ages and stages, giving them plenty of practice to do so. We teach cursive along with typing and spelling before the spell check kicks in. We like our kids to get bored so that they have motivation to use their imagination and experience daily quiet times to encourage thoughtfulness. We not only teach civic duty but a world wide awareness of different cultures and people groups, seeing them as precious souls that have been bought through the blood of Jesus, too. We understand that none of the above can be expected from our local schools. Our understanding of how best to grow in knowledge and what kind of knowledge to pursue is fundamentally different.
The book of Proverbs has an awful lot to say about what God considers wisdom and what the world believes is foolishness. I will often find it useful to reread the book of Proverbs in my yearly planning for school while praying for the insight and eyes to see how best to apply it for our family. I can only speak for my own family and I find my conscience convicting me that this is the path we must take. There is no wisdom apart from God's Word and if God's Word is not only lacking in the local curriculum but shunned and banned, then how can wisdom be found there? It is the answer to this question that convicts us.
However, I want to be careful that I don't burden myself or others in an unbiblical way. There is no commandment or direct command to reject a government funded and run institution. Schools weren't even really a part of our culture until about 200 years ago though it's hard to imagine a society without them now. The references I look to in Scripture when searching for guidance in this matter are not only found in Proverbs but Deuteronomy 6:5-9 in which parents are encouraged to keep God's Word close to our hearts and keep learning and growing, but to pass this knowledge on to our children. We are to bring it into our everyday life in all we do. How can we do this if we are separated for 6 hours or more every day?
I know of godly families that have chosen a different path for their children but still take these directives to heart in their families. I am amazed by their willingness to make time after a long day of work and school and immerse their families in God's Word, training their children in truth and comparing it to the claims of truth they hear in school. I know families that get up early to study ChristLight material as they would daily in a Christian day school. These families know the lasting value of starting their day in wisdom and letting that guide them for the rest of the day. I know of a church that takes a couple evenings a week to gather the kids in their congregation for multiple midweek ChristLight study knowing that the church is there not to replace parents but to offer resources to parents. I know there are godly parents who carefully look over school texts with their children so that they are equipped to spot lies even when it looks and seems believable taught from a teacher they trust. There's no doubt it takes work and effort like my homeschool does.
Being a Christian parent in today's culture is not for the faint at heart!! Regardless of the education we choose for our children, parents have the ultimate responsibility even when they choose to delegate (and I think almost all of us delegate something!). What a high privilege and calling it is to parent the children God has entrusted into our care - to teach the next generation the truth of what God says and the beauty of how what He's done for all of us through His love and grace!
Oh, teach them with all diligence The truth of God's own Word,
To place in him their confidence, To fear and trust their Lord,
To learn that in our God alone Their hope securely stands,
That they may ne'er forget his works, But walk in God's commands.
Let Children Hear the Mighty Deeds, Hymn 512, CW
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