Why? ....this is going to be personal for each situation but here is my answer to our family's Why: Each year we pray and ask God to guide us and to bless us as parents and to show us how to raise our children. Last year when Luke was in 7th grade and Grace was in 4th, I just knew God was moving us to something new but I didn't know what. Luke was going to a Christian school just a few blocks away from where we lived. It was the perfect transition into the classroom because the curriculum they were using was Abeka, which is mostly what we have used over the past 5 years. I have worked in a Christian school, and have had Luke attend both private and public and what I can tell you about our personal experience is....it really is not much different than public school. (It just costs aLOT more.) The kids are the same in both. They go through the same issues as public school kids. God let Luke experience some tough issues last year, which told me very certainly that Luke is ready for the classroom. He is courageous and stands up for what he believes. He is strong and tells his parents when something is going on that he's unsure about. These are the things we learned while he was in 7th, that gave us assurance from God that he was ready. Grace has always been ready. She's (in my opinion) every teacher's dream student. She loves to read. She loves to please. She works well in a group. There was never a question that she'd love the classroom, but homeschooling is a family experience. We believe God led us and called us to school at home. We know why He called us now and are grateful for that time spent with our children. He is so good to know what we need more than we do. He knows when it's time to move on. Sometimes the WHY needs to be answered as simply as... because God said so. So there you go.
How? ....Prayer and research. Prayer and research. Research includes asking those you know and trust, as well as online reviews (I spent much time on www.greatschools.org) and even scriptures. Before I read, I ask for wisdom to make the right decisions and guidance for staying on the right path. God is so good to make our path clear when we cling to His word and His promises. My bible study book by Anne Graham Lotz (see sidebar for more info) led me to these scriptures on June 21st:
Isaiah 40:11 He carries my kids and gently leads me.
Isaiah 44:1-3 Don't forget He made them and me too! He will pour out His blessing on my kids.
Isaiah 54:13 My children will be taught by the Lord.
Psalm 100:5 His faithfulness and lovingkindness continues through ALL generations.
In other words God was saying....I've got your children's lives in My hands. Trust Me.
How do you make decisions that are in the center of God's will? Anne says...
1. The confirmation of God's Word
2. My inner conviction
3. Practical circumstances
4. The counsel of godly, mature Christian friends
That's how.
Do I still believe in homeschooling? Absolutely. I did it for 5 wonderful years. (Luke, 2nd-6th & Grace K-4th) Some days were blissful and others were difficult. Isn't that just like any job or school anywhere? It's a calling. No human being can do it without being certainly called. He will equip those He calls and He did for me. I wouldn't trade one day of it for anything. I loved it and was passionate about it. I still love to talk about it with those doing their own research. I have the unique background of saying I've experienced public, private and homeschool and have seen the benefits and challenges of all of it.
What? ....What should you prepare for? What to know when making this transition?
1. Your child/children will be tested. Prepare them by taking them to yearly skills tests, like Iowa Basic Skills Tests held in most large cities to test their skill level and tell you exactly what grade they would fall into and what they need to work on.
2. I would often take a week off of our regular curriculum and give them state tests using online study guides that the state gives, like these. This not only prepares them for future testing but makes me aware of what is lacking in our curriculum at home. Make it fun! It doesn't have to be dreadful like it is in the classroom.
3. TEACH them to write their names on their papers. This is the biggest adjustment I've heard teachers say for homeschoolers. It has proved to be hard for Grace to remember as well. She has come home twice having to write her name 25 times because she forgot. :(
4. Pray for your child's teachers. You know better than anyone what they have to deal with while teaching your student, but not only do they teach him/her but 20 others. Pray that their lives are blessed. Pray that they know Christ and His love.
5. Pray for the other kids in the classroom as well. I took a picture of the list of names that were up on our first orientation at the school. They are on my phone when I want to pray for each of them by name. They will teach your child as well mostly through influence, but YOU will always be their greatest influence.
What was the hardest part of the transition: 1)missing my kids, 2)all the driving around I seem to do now, 3)all the papers they bring home that I have to sign and send back or figure out what to do with, 4) blaming myself for Grace having to write her name 25 times (I told myself if she has to do it again, I'm writing them for her.) :) and the worst part by far....5)Waiting in the pick-up line. Sheesh! That's annoying!
What I have learned so far....
- Continue in the mindset of homeschooling and do homework together around the kitchen table. I am loving this time of day. You can hear about their day. They will talk more around a plate of chocolate chip cookies.
- Find out who their friends are and nurture those relationships.
- Listen to scripture in the car on the way to school and talk about how they can please God today. It sets my mind on the right track for the day as well.
- God holds our lives in His hands. It's surrendering our will that's the key to any transition.
