Homeschooling Encouragement

      Since we started our at home education experience in October of 2013 I can say it has definitely been a roller coaster. There have been so many days that I wanted to quit. I just wanted to drop them off on the front steps of the nearest public school and say "You deal with them." Then there were the successful days which definitely outnumbered the unsuccessful ones! All in all I would say even the days I would call "unsuccessful" were actually successful in a number of a ways. Dale Carnegie says, "Develop success from failures. Discouragement and failure are two of the surest stepping stones to success." I could not agree more with this statement. Discouragement draws me closer to God to be able to hear His voice and learn exactly what we need in that moment. My failures are daily and I have to remember that disobedience to God is the worst type of failure and for me to know that God is calling me to homeschool my children and not do it would be complete disobedience and that is not an option. 

      I have heard so much negativity from so many people since we started homeschooling. "They're not getting enough social interaction", "They're not developing life skills", "You're not even a teacher", "What about High School?". Question after question and negative statements one after another pour in on a weekly basis and I have learned a valuable lesson from them all: I DO NOT HAVE TO ANSWER TO A SINGLE HUMAN BEING ON THIS PLANET NOR DO I HAVE TO DEFEND MY REASONS FOR HOMESCHOOLING! :) Once I was able to truly believe that bold statement I found peace in the Lord and rest in my soul. It is not meant to be rude. It is simply our family's decision and until God says otherwise it is the life we will lead. 

     I could discuss the ins and outs of homeschooling, the pros and cons, and the politics vs spirituality of it all day long but what is boils down to is that it's best for some families and not for others. I do not hate on parents who choose public school or private school but it is sometimes hard to have sympathy for those that come to me saying I wish I could homeschool like you do but never try it and never put forth the effort to become able to financially. I'm not going to lie... the drastic slice in income was difficult for us and still is to be honest but we are overcoming that obstacle and it is getting better all the time.

    Do not believe the lie that you cannot teach your children. Do not believe the lie that proper homeschooling materials are too expensive. Do not believe the lie that your children will lack socialization skills if you homeschool. Do not believe the lie that your children will resent you for not having a prom. DO NOT BELIEVE THE LIES. Read the homeschool success stories! Read about some of the wealthiest business men and women in the country that possess a homeschool education. 

     I know some of you that are reading this have talked to me about homeschooling. If it's on your heart I believe you should strongly consider it an option and I would love to tell you my success stories and help you learn from some of my mistakes. Don't say you can't do it because you aren't smart enough. Don't say you can't do it because you can't afford it. Don't say you can't do it because ___________ (you fill in the blank). It's a major life change but it's worth it and I will keep on keeping on. I plan on blogging a lot more about our lessons and the curriculum we are utilizing this coming up school year!

    To my friends who are teachers in the public school system Thank You!  The public school system needs good teachers!

P.S. I am really excited about getting back to our lessons in a few weeks! =)

And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9