I have a question for those of you who homeschool. How did you come to the decision to homeschool? How did you and your spouse come to a mutual decision?

I feel God is leading me to homeschool our four children, but my husband is not open to the idea so far. His arguments stem from a perceived limitation on socialization opportunities along with too much insulation from the "real world". At the same time, I feel there are plenty of opportunities for socialization if we look for them and get involved in a Christian homeschool group in our community. Moreover, I feel like there are numerous things in the "real world" that I would prefer to shield my children from - for example last year my oldest son was accused by another younger boy who lived across the street of inappropriate touching. Now mind you the child originally accused someone at the local elementary school but later recanted that. My son was found completely innocent and found thankfully to God to have not been molested by the perpetrator himself. I am so thankful we have a merciful God who showers his grace upon us.

Any input you have would be greatly appreciated.

There is a thread a ways down on the home schooling section that is caleld "What Made You Decide to Home School?" worth reading. But here is my response to the question:




I teach my children at home because I believe that all of life is sacred. God is at the center of everything. He made all things, He guides and controls them, and He demands that we, His creatures, honor Him as Lord and Savior in everything we do.

That includes our studies, everyday work and every part of life, without exception.

I want my children to learn from his parents that all of life belongs to God and was made for Him. I want to be there moment to moment and to mold his character as the need arise. I am not willing to abdicate that duty to anyone else. I realize that I alone will stand before God for this life that He has given me and I want to do it to the best of my ability. That is a tall order and requires my presence throughout the day to accomplish it properly.

I want to keep my children's heart. I want them to care about what I care about. I want them to love what I love. I want them to walk with the wise and not a companion of fools. I don't want them by 12 to care more about their friend's opinions than mine. I can't expect that if they are gone from me 8 hrs a day 5 days a week 9 months a year!

I want them to be able to study what God wants them to study and be who God wants them to be, and have the freedom to do that. I don't want them to feel they are squares being forced into a round hole. I want the freedom to guide their studies as God leads, not as man leads.

Most importantly I want to BE with them because the time is precious and fleeting and soon they will be gone. I am not willing to abdicate that time to strangers when I could be there and enjoy each moment.

" And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart. And those shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way and when thou liest down and when thou risest up and thou shall bind them for a sign upon thine hand and they shall be as frontels between thine eyes and thou shall write them upon the posts of thy house and on thy gates. ( Deut. 6; 6-9)



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I'm a "homeschooled kid". I went to public school in a small town until third grade. In third grade I came home and told my parents that another girl at recess had been talking about having s-- with her older brother at their grandparents house. That was the last straw for my dad. He decided that we should homeschool the following school year. My mom was not excited because my youngest sister was only an infant. There were 4 of us. It is a little different situation because my dad wanted to but mom didn't. Anyway they prayed about it and talked it over and decided it was the Lord's will. I can honestly say we are not socially backwards and have had no lack of social opportunities. We have family close and church 3 times a week. We also had a lot of opportunity to volunteer once we were older in the public library as well as the school library. The question of socialization is one a lot of people have, however there a innumerable things you can involve your children in. Music lessons in group setting, such as Kindermusick, homeschool classes, church activities. The advantage is you get to choose whom your child interacts with a lot more than at public school. I have seen homeschoolers who shut their children off from all outside contact and it doesn't do the child any good. They do not know how to function in the real world and it is very stressful for them. Your children need to realize it is a fallen world and they need to know enough to protect themselves from the evil that is out there. It is really sad, but it also can keep them from getting hurt. I think that they need to learn things from their parents and not from kids on the playground. Then it is easy to teach them right from wrong rather than having to untangle things later. Please, don't feel guilty if you decide to send your child to public school. The Lord is able to keep them there, too. :wink:

Since I posted this topic, my husband and I agreed that homeschooling our oldest son was the right decision. We started on September 19 with homeschooling him. My other three children still attend the public school because I believe they are in the right place for now due to the teachers they have in the classroom. I feel entirely at peace with our decision. While Jacob and I have our moments with adapting to this new situation all in all I have to say it has been a positive experience. Jacob seems to be doing much better at home than he was doing at public school. He is involved in Cub Scouts, AWANAS, and we hve become a part of a homeschool organization here in town. My husband is behind our decision completely which makes it alot better.

Hurray for you! I'm really glad it's working out! :D

thats great...i decided to homeschool, because the public schools here scare me. And it was either me do it or me go back to work to pay someone else to teach him...so now we are a homeschooling family..YAY!!! :D and are involed in a homeschool group that helps so much :)