Why I homeschool...

Well, we are officially homeschooling.

Holy freakin cow.

I am excited and a little anxious...a lot anxious.

The whole fate of my 3 munchkin's education rests solely on my shoulders...no pressure.

Gulp...

Anywho, I'll start with a complicated answer to a simply question that I continue to get..."Why are you homeschooling".

Well, here goes...

First of all, I don't hate public schools. I love our school system. I do think that the public education system is broken, however. I am incredibly grateful for the teachers that my children have had. They are phenomenal and I feel very blessed to have had each and every one of them. We have prayed every year for our teachers, and we have had amazing ones.

Secondly, I want my children to have a faith-based education. That is something that public schools simply do not provide.

Next, I have a child who is of above average intelligence. I am not bragging, it is truth. He began reading at 2 years of age. He understands the concepts of physics better than I do (and I am a former science teacher). He remembers EVERYTHING. Literally. I think he has a photographic memory. He could, and did, read entire books at school in one day. He has a love (almost an obsession) with history, the military, engineering, and science. He simply cannot get enough. I feel as though God has given him a wonderful mind, and that He has laid it upon my heart to foster that as much as possible. I have the desire and I have the ability, so why not?

More than anything, I have the opportunity to introduce concepts and information to my children at the time, and in the way that I feel, as a parent, is appropriate, and that I can be the final authority in all areas of their lives. As parents, we have a very short window to have the greatest influence in our children's lives as they are learning about the world and society that they live in, and I feel as though it is my calling to be the foremost influence in their lives. As parents we love our kids more than anyone, know them better than anyone, and have their best interest at heart more than anyone, so why not be the preeminent figure in their lives to teach, encourage and love on them on a daily basis?

All of that being said, I am certain of several things...homeschooling isn't for everyone. Many people do not have the desire, the calling nor the patience to be home educator. That doesn't make them less of a parent, it makes them normal. Ha! Seriously, I, by no means, feel as though this is the path for everyone. It is what I feel that the Lord has called ME to do.

I also love and admire educators in the private and public sector. They are saints and have jobs that are invaluable to our society. God bless 'em!

Lastly, the hubs and I believe that the Lord has put the call on our hearts to raise Godly children and do the best that we can to instill His incredible love and mercy for us. In this world of, well, worldliness, egocentrism and self-indulgence, among other things, we want to raise our kids to love the Lord first, each other second, and others third. Educating our children at home gives us the opportunity to impress these values upon them while giving them an individualized education. Not a bad plan in my opinion.

Sooo, there ya' go. Just in case you wondered...now, here we go into the great unknown. I'll keep you posted as we will update our homeschooling journey on this blog. Nope, no new one for that, just this one. This will be this Swiss army knife of blogs. Homeschooling, crafting, decorating, and just about anything else that floats my boat.

Here goes nothin'...

Jenn