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Choosing Your Homeschool Direction
One of the most difficult parts of parenting is making a decision about which direction to take. First is the decision to have children in the first place. Then you choose where and how to have the baby. Then do you go back to work? What about which school to choose or choosing to homeschool?
Even now that we have made it to the homeschooling part, we still have decisions before us. What is the best decision for our children? Should they take a class outside the home? Where should they go to college? How do you make all these decisions? There is a story in the Old Testament about Abram and his nephew Lot and making a decision about which direction they should choose:
Lot chose the direction that was the best-looking. He chose in a superficial way, based on outward appearances. Abram knew that what makes a place "good" was the Lord and that anywhere he went with the Lord would be the right place. When you are making decisions about where to educate your children, whether for an outside class or for college, avoid concentrating on outward appearances. It doesn't matter how many people say it is wonderful, or who else is doing it, or what the current fad might be; look beyond the superficial. Do you want your children there? Will it make them a better person, or is it just the best-looking?
Listen to your heart. Parents know best - not your friends or relatives, not your homeschool buddy or the author of a book - parents always know best!
Which choices are you facing in your homeschool today? Please share!
Please note: This post was originally published in January 2010 and has been revamped and updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
Check out The HomeScholar on Twitter and join my Twibe.
Choosing Your Homeschool Direction
Even now that we have made it to the homeschooling part, we still have decisions before us. What is the best decision for our children? Should they take a class outside the home? Where should they go to college? How do you make all these decisions? There is a story in the Old Testament about Abram and his nephew Lot and making a decision about which direction they should choose:
Genesis 13:8-18
So Abram said to Lot, "Let's not have any quarreling between you and me, or between your herdsmen and mine, for we are brothers. Is not the whole land before you? Let's part company. If you go to the left, I'll go to the right; if you go to the right, I'll go to the left."
Lot looked up and saw that the whole plain of the Jordan was well watered, like the garden of the LORD... So Lot chose for himself the whole plain of the Jordan and set out toward the east. The two men parted company: Abram lived in the land of Canaan, while Lot lived among the cities of the plain and pitched his tents near Sodom. Now the men of Sodom were wicked and were sinning greatly against the LORD.
The LORD said to Abram after Lot had parted from him, "Lift up your eyes from where you are and look north and south, east and west. All the land that you see I will give to you and your offspring forever. I will make your offspring like the dust of the earth, so that if anyone could count the dust, then your offspring could be counted. Go, walk through the length and breadth of the land, for I am giving it to you."
So Abram moved his tents and went to live near the great trees of Mamre at Hebron, where he built an altar to the LORD.
Lot chose the direction that was the best-looking. He chose in a superficial way, based on outward appearances. Abram knew that what makes a place "good" was the Lord and that anywhere he went with the Lord would be the right place. When you are making decisions about where to educate your children, whether for an outside class or for college, avoid concentrating on outward appearances. It doesn't matter how many people say it is wonderful, or who else is doing it, or what the current fad might be; look beyond the superficial. Do you want your children there? Will it make them a better person, or is it just the best-looking?
Listen to your heart. Parents know best - not your friends or relatives, not your homeschool buddy or the author of a book - parents always know best!
Which choices are you facing in your homeschool today? Please share!
Please note: This post was originally published in January 2010 and has been revamped and updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
Check out The HomeScholar on Twitter and join my Twibe.
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Amarillo, TX 79106
Phone: 1-888-533-2435
Opening Hours: Monday to Friday: 9.00 am to 03:00 pm (PST)
Comments 12
I needed to hear this today. Thank you!
Yes, anything "free" comes with a cost. My belief is that to pray, pray, pray and then if God leads you one direction or not then follow that at all costs! It all belongs to Him, so if college is in the plan for your child, God will provide at the right time, even if you think you've missed the school district's "free" timing. We haven't rushed into using what looks good and I'm sooo thankful and God is providing now.
Yes, this post is a 'repeat'. However, the advice is still sage and exactly what I needed to hear right now. I struggle with the pressure to put high schoolers in public school's dual enrollment program. It's really hard to ignore the financial benefits of many free college classes. And it's hard not to feel foolish for not wanting to do so when others are being so smart and thrifty. But I have a hard time stomaching the idea of being bound to the 'system' at this point in the game. And I like the 'system' even less now than I did ten years ago when we began homeschooling!
Thanks for the encouragement, Lee, to persevere. It couldn't have come at a better time!!
Oh, it's a terrible pressure, for sure, BK! Other homeschoolers look at us, dumbfounded that we don't "take advantage" of what's offered for our children. But you and I know, it comes at a price! My children have all been homeschooled using both public and private options. I know now that they aren't "missing out" on anything by being homeschooled privately.
Robin
Assistant to The HomeScholar
Dear Lee,
I really needed to read this today.
It seems that ever since I became a parent, I always choose the hard way. The hard way meaning going against the flow of "normal" child rearing and teaching.
Homeschooling requires that of us. Thank you for your encouragement to keep going when it's hard. Sometimes it's tempting to just put them in school. I made that mistake with my oldest when he was in 10th grade. Never again. Not for that reason.
Blessings,
Laura of Harvest Lane Cottage
Lee,
I have to keep reminding myself of this Biblical truth. It's so difficult to not fall into the trap to "keep up with the Jones". I've really struggled on this one because my son doesn't fit into the mold that a lot of his friends do. Thank you so much for blessing us with this reminder!
THANK YOU!
i am so blessed.
Thank you Lee, you are always such a blessing.
Thank you for this timely message. I've feel I'm at a crossroads and reading this has helped today.
Needed this today. Thank you.
Thank you...