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 ~ A word from our founder, The HomeScholar Emeritus, Lee Binz ~

This is a chapter from a book by my husband, Matt, aka Mr. HomeScholar, titled A Higher Calling: Homeschooling High School for Harried Husbands. You can purchase a copy in print or Kindle version here.

The Impossible Dream

Imagine you are a public school teacher on the first day of class, faced with 30 children, none of whom speak English. Worse yet, imagine there are 10 unique languages spoken by the students, with no language spoken by more than five students. How would you communicate? How would you teach?

More importantly, how would anyone learn? 

You might think this illustration absurd, but consider the differences in your own children. Our two boys are built so differently that Lee and I often wondered if one or possibly both were switched at birth. Everything about how they view life, friendships, work, and academics is different. Yet these two share the same DNA, parents, and upbringing.

Now ask yourself — wouldn't teaching 30 utterly unique souls be somewhat akin to teaching in our imaginary multi-lingual classroom? In addition to the normal crowd control, behavior modification, and refereeing, we would need to somehow unlock the mystery of communication and inspiration in each child. 

Speaking their Language

I believe this works best when a child sits at the feet of someone who "speaks their language," someone who has a deep love and commitment to their well-being.

Who do you think is more qualified than you to provide this environment?

My boss was bemoaning the fact that his precious pet, a two-year-old Bernese Mountain Dog, had suddenly acquired a taste for leather shoes and iPhones. And by "acquired a taste," I mean in the most literal sense of the expression.

I asked him about obedience training and he said the dog was in obedience training three times a week and was doing great! The trainer apparently spoke fluent Bernese. My boss, however … not so much. As a result, all that great education was left in the classroom when his baby came home and got a whiff of the latest luxury item.

The point is that living things are not computer code, and education is more than pouring information in. Success requires tremendous care and attention. Don't believe anyone who tells you homeschooling is easy. They are either deluded or selling you something. Homeschooling is hard, like parenting is hard.

But homeschooling is important — as important as parenting. Don't ever think you will be successful simply because you are so very clever or well educated. Ultimately, success will come because you love and understand your children enough to "speak their language."

And that is the secret of parenting, homeschooling, and dog training.

A Higher Calling is one of my Coffee Break Books. What are Coffee Break Books? These are books designed for YOU—a busy homeschool parent feeling frustrated by something, and needing information NOW—all put together in an easy-to-read, short, simple format. Coffee Break Books are perfect for overwhelmed, sleep-deprived moms with a baby on their hip. Simple, large font makes them easy to read even when distracted or pulled in a million directions. They are designed to help parents tackle just ONE issue of homeschooling during just ONE coffee break! Each book combines a practical and friendly approach with detailed, easy-to-digest information. Never overwhelming, always accessible and manageable, each book in the series will give you the tools you need to tackle the tasks of homeschooling high school, one warm sip at a time.

Learn more in my review below!

This is a chapter from a book by my husband, Matt, aka Mr. HomeScholar, titled A Higher Calling: Homeschooling High School for Harried Husbands. You can purchase your own copy in print or Kindle version here.

Blessings,

Mr. HomeScholar (Matt Binz)