Another year of homeschooling is almost over, and I have a whole evening of paperwork waiting for me just to complete my record keeping. Many times over the last eleven years, I have wondered what type of insanity possesses me to continue teaching my own children when there are so many other easier and far more reasonable methods of seeing that my children get a quality education. We now have seven children of school age and a couple more still in the "coloring and "eating coloring crayon" stages. Often when I sit down in the mornings and begin my school day, I wonder if I am really doing the right thing by intentionally committing myself to Algebra and Geometry from 7:30 to 2:30pm every day. After all, most other moms have more sense than that don't they? Periodically, I take a walk or find a quiet place to reevaluate my real reasons and motives for committing myself to such a daunting task.
Recently, I was contemplating about the financial reasons for homeschooling. Contrary to popular belief, homeschooling is not the easy route out for a free education. In reality, teaching our children has cost a lot more than I ever imagined it would. Not only does it permanently limit our household to one income, but it is the only major system of education that I know of that is unsubsidized by other parties. Even church schools and private schools are often given financial support by those who are interested in their success. Just one example of this is brought home very painfully ever year at this time when I fulfill the requirements for homeschooling here in the state of North Carolina. Not only am I required to pay for the state mandated tests for the public school students, but I pay lots of taxes for the teachers in my county to receive significant bonuses if their children score well. However, it doesn't stop there. It's not enough that I pay for their tests and bonuses, I must also give each one of my children tests, pay for the tests out of my pocket, and get someone to give them the test. All that to say, that it is not for financial reasons that I homeschool!
As I thought over this past year and all the fun that I had enjoying my children as they learned, I was reminded once again of the real reason for choosing to teach my own children. Because of my investment of time, I am hoping for a windfall of a return for God's kingdom through the lives of my children.
This year we have been able to add to our long list of learning activities that we have enjoyed as a family. I was there when my children saw the Grand Canyon for the first time. I was there when my girls dissected their first animals, and when my little boy finally figured out how to borrow when subtracting. I was there when my children toured the White House, U.S. Capitol, the Creation Museum, and seemingly countless museums between here and Phoenix, Arizona. I got to experience the excitement of accompanying a ferrier on his trip to shoe horses on an Amish farm. I was there falling off a chair while trying to take a picture when my children shook President Bush's hand! I was there when we saw baby chicks hatching. I was there when my kids climbed to the top of a volcano and wondered why I wasn't going to try it! I was there when they started their first worm farm, and their first caterpillar farm, and their first minnow farm, and well, you get the idea. I was there with them to hear the symphony at Christmas.
I was also there this year when Algebra seemed overwhelming, and Geometry seemed like the most impossible subject to conquer. I was there when the laundry was piled high, and I couldn't call in a teacher for a teacher work day so that I could get it done. I was there when nausea from baby number ten started hitting strong and someone plopped a Physical Science book in my lap. I was there when dear, old mom had to make some apologies for cranky attitudes and an impatient spirit.
I think I can sum it up well to say that I was there this past weekend when our children went deep sea fishing for the first time. I was there when my kids hauled in some
of the biggest catch on the boat! I was there to see their excitement, and to share in the fun. I was there when I was on the sofa trying to recover from the long weekend of fishing, and one of my older daughters stopped by to say, "Mom, this was one of the funnest days of my life!"
I was there on all those days, and looking back over the year, I am glad I was. It sure would have been nice on some of those "down" days to help fill up that free yellow bus that comes by every day, but I'm glad I didn't. I think some day, I'll be really glad that I didn't. I'm glad I took part in the funnest day in my child's life!
If you are homeschooling and want to take part in our free, online, time-management course be sure to visit our site soon.
Recently, I was contemplating about the financial reasons for homeschooling. Contrary to popular belief, homeschooling is not the easy route out for a free education. In reality, teaching our children has cost a lot more than I ever imagined it would. Not only does it permanently limit our household to one income, but it is the only major system of education that I know of that is unsubsidized by other parties. Even church schools and private schools are often given financial support by those who are interested in their success. Just one example of this is brought home very painfully ever year at this time when I fulfill the requirements for homeschooling here in the state of North Carolina. Not only am I required to pay for the state mandated tests for the public school students, but I pay lots of taxes for the teachers in my county to receive significant bonuses if their children score well. However, it doesn't stop there. It's not enough that I pay for their tests and bonuses, I must also give each one of my children tests, pay for the tests out of my pocket, and get someone to give them the test. All that to say, that it is not for financial reasons that I homeschool!
As I thought over this past year and all the fun that I had enjoying my children as they learned, I was reminded once again of the real reason for choosing to teach my own children. Because of my investment of time, I am hoping for a windfall of a return for God's kingdom through the lives of my children.
This year we have been able to add to our long list of learning activities that we have enjoyed as a family. I was there when my children saw the Grand Canyon for the first time. I was there when my girls dissected their first animals, and when my little boy finally figured out how to borrow when subtracting. I was there when my children toured the White House, U.S. Capitol, the Creation Museum, and seemingly countless museums between here and Phoenix, Arizona. I got to experience the excitement of accompanying a ferrier on his trip to shoe horses on an Amish farm. I was there falling off a chair while trying to take a picture when my children shook President Bush's hand! I was there when we saw baby chicks hatching. I was there when my kids climbed to the top of a volcano and wondered why I wasn't going to try it! I was there when they started their first worm farm, and their first caterpillar farm, and their first minnow farm, and well, you get the idea. I was there with them to hear the symphony at Christmas.
I was also there this year when Algebra seemed overwhelming, and Geometry seemed like the most impossible subject to conquer. I was there when the laundry was piled high, and I couldn't call in a teacher for a teacher work day so that I could get it done. I was there when nausea from baby number ten started hitting strong and someone plopped a Physical Science book in my lap. I was there when dear, old mom had to make some apologies for cranky attitudes and an impatient spirit.
I think I can sum it up well to say that I was there this past weekend when our children went deep sea fishing for the first time. I was there when my kids hauled in some
of the biggest catch on the boat! I was there to see their excitement, and to share in the fun. I was there when I was on the sofa trying to recover from the long weekend of fishing, and one of my older daughters stopped by to say, "Mom, this was one of the funnest days of my life!"I was there on all those days, and looking back over the year, I am glad I was. It sure would have been nice on some of those "down" days to help fill up that free yellow bus that comes by every day, but I'm glad I didn't. I think some day, I'll be really glad that I didn't. I'm glad I took part in the funnest day in my child's life!
If you are homeschooling and want to take part in our free, online, time-management course be sure to visit our site soon.
2 comments:
Hi Carrie!! You probably don't know who I am but my maiden name is Riggs. Charles and Gisela Riggs are my Aunt and Uncle. Faith Young is my Aunt by marriage. I just wanted to tell you that I really enjoyed this post. I home school our children and some days I wonder what in the world I am doing but when I stop and think about everything we have been able to do and see as a family, I am reminded what a privilege it is to be a homeschooling family. You have a beautiful family!! Belinda
congratulations carrie, on baby # 10. Your almost there!! My hat is off to you on all the work you put into home schooling your children. You do a wonderful job!! hang in there and keep up the good work.
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