To moms who homeschool and to moms who don’t:
I see you. With only a two year old I’m not yet in your shoes, but I’m watching you. You might think that your education choices–whether homeschool, public, or private–are vastly different from one another but I see that in your hearts you are much the same. You might be doing it differently from one another but I see you both caring about your child’s education.
I know that you are both fighting for your kids.
You’re working hard to make sure that their individual needs are met. You might be fighting to make sure you have the rights to teach your child at home or you’re fighting to make sure your child’s school has the funding they need. There are many ways that you each fight for your kids.
I know you are making sacrifices.
You might be giving up square footage in your home to have space for learning areas, or you might be sacrificing a second income. You are sacrificing lunch breaks so that you can make it to “Muffins and Moms.” Or maybe you are sacrificing exciting family vacations to afford private school tuition.
Your kids mean the world to you.
Whether you homeschool or not, I truly believe that. I see you both valuing your family time and creating sweet memories. You would do anything you needed to do for your kids.
I know you have doubts and insecurities.
You feel nervous and wonder if you have what it takes to educate your kids without the support of the school system.  Maybe you feel guilty about going back to work. Sometimes you might wish you had more money so you could afford to send your kids to a Christian school. Perhaps you feel like others view you as lazy because even though you stay at home, you’ve enrolled your kids in school. You might feel like others think you’re weird and an outcast if you decided to homeschool without a support network.
I know that you question yourself, but I also know that you have convictions.
You are doing what’s best for your family, whatever that might look like. You might believe that others could benefit from what you’re doing, but you likely don’t judge. Most of the time, it’s in our own insecurities and pride that we feel judged. So I encourage you to continually pray about your child’s education path. Listen for direction from God and then go forward in confidence that you are doing what God has called you to do. Maybe you have been judged by others, but when you have spirit-filled confidence in your decisions in this life, you can get through it standing tall.
“You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.” —Isaiah 26:3
How you educate your child does not make you more or less of a mother. You were chosen and designed by God to be the mother of your children. You are enough. Our call as a parent is simple, but great:
Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.
No matter how you school your children, make sure you are impressing on their precious hearts the love of our great God and his powerful words. Ultimately, that is what matters the most.
Moms of school-aged children:Â As I watch the way you love and serve your family, I’m impressed. I’m taking notes because I know that I’ll be in your shoes all too soon. Just know, you are amazing.Â
Here are some other posts you might like:
- When God Calls Us to Do the Impossible Things - March 2, 2020
- Look to Him - February 17, 2020
- Thoughts From the Mom Who Needs Grace - December 16, 2019
I think all moms are always fighting for their kids – whether homeschool or not
Absolutely!
This is a wonderful post. There is a lot of arguing and debate on both sides which is sad. We should all be focusing on the children and how to better their lives regardless of their parents choice to homeschool or not.
Yes, I agree with you. Lots to consider on this issue, but important to keep the keep the conversation grounded on what’s best for not only our own children but the children in our society. We have to stay open minded because every family situation is a bit different.
HI Kristin, Thanks for sharing this. I believe we need to support each other in whatever way we choose to educate our children. One wise woman said to me – Homeschool, Christian school, or public school – each can be God’s best for your child. All you are doing are choosing the set of problems that you want to deal with because they each have their set of problems. Very wise.
That is a very wise and true thought. There is so much pressure out there, supporting each other is very important. Thank you for sharing. 🙂
Moms have to do what works best for their children…. pure and simple.
Yes! So true!
We may do things differently, but we’re different people and different people have different skills, strengths and issues, then we add those of our husbands and children and we are all trying to balance and make wise choices. We ALL will make mistakes and there is no perfect choice. There is just what we believe is best for the moment.
Great post! We really are more alike that different!
Love this! We are all called to different paths and one does not make you a better parent then the other.
Love this! “No matter how you school your children, make sure you are impressing on their precious hearts the love of our great God and his powerful words. Ultimately, that is what matters the most.”
Making the choice not to homeschool my son was an easy one for me. He’s an only child with ADHD and is a social butterfly. He started reading at 2 and is a few grades ahead of his peers when it comes to math. He’s so easy to teach. If textbook facts were all life was about, I could easily homeschool him. But what he needs is social interaction with other children for at least a few hours every day. If I had more kids, I might consider it, but he loves going to school so much and would miss… Read more »