Blogger Friend School Assignment #100

Assignment: Take time this week to write about YOU and your feelings of trials and triumphs with homeschooling. Touch on when you first heard about the concept of home schooling and whether you tip-toed into the idea or just jumped in and never looked back. Share your schooling as a child and how you compare it to what your goals are for your children.

I believe the first time I ever heard of homeschooling was shortly after Brian and I married in 2000. We started attending a Reformed Baptist Church in Macon, and it was a very small church. Almost all of the families there homeschooled their children, and it began to pique my interest. So, after some prayer and discussion, Brian and I decided it was what we wanted to do for our children when we became parents. And -- from that moment on, I never doubted that I would homeschool...it was a given.

My years as a public school teacher also confirmed our decision to homeschool. I dealt with so many issues as a PS teacher. There was almost always a lack of respect from the students, and quite frankly, the administration wasn't up to par when it came to discipline either. Add to that the fact that there was paperwork overload, and it's amazing I even found the time to teach. And when the "no child left behind" came into effect, it made it even harder to do my job as a teacher. I'm sorry, but in my honest opinion, I can teach you something until I'm blue in the face. But -- I cannot get into your little head and make it stick. So, I don't think holding the teacher fully accountable for the students' lack of learning is fair. Teaching is both the job of the teacher AND the parents. Now, I know...some people may blast me for this, and that's okay...it's my opinion, and we're all entitled to our opinions. Plus, the students need to step up and accept some responsibility as well.

Okay, off of my soapbox and back to the assignment...LOL! My schooling as a child wasn't that bad. I attended public school, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I had some good teachers, and I had some bad teachers. Many of the good teachers are the ones that inspired me to become the person I am today. I was a good student, and I made good grades. I was actually #12 in my graduating class of 200+, so that's not too shabby. But -- my parents stepped in and helped me at home. My mom stayed at home, and she was there to guide me with homework and assist me whenever I asked for help. As you can tell from above, it wasn't my schooling as a child that led me to become a homeschooling parent. It's what I saw as a new wife and teacher that led me in the homeschooling direction.

I've only been homeschooling since June, and it's going really well. Caleb is soaking up so much information, and he's learning so much. I think my main challenge is that I have high expectations for him. After seeing so many students who weren't succeeding in public school, I want so much more for Caleb. I had first graders who didn't know the ABC's, and I found that very sad. It also made my job harder because I had to start with the basics that should have been done in Kindergarten. Another challenge I face is that I'm very anal retentive, and I'm very structured. And -- kids aren't always that way...Caleb included. But -- I'm slowly learning it's okay when things don't go as planned...sometimes it even adds for more excitement and spontaneity.

Our goals for Caleb are for him to first and foremost become a Godly young man. We want to instill Christian values and morals. Brian and I also want him to try as many things as he would like...if he wants to play the keyboard, he can. If he wants to learn the trumpet, then so be it. We will support him in whatever endeavors he chooses. Finally, we want him to value learning and the information that is available to him. We want him to have the ability to become whatever he so chooses later on in life, and by instilling a love for learning...I think he'll be a very successful person.

A verse that I truly love and try to live by is Proverbs 3:5-6..."Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths." I find this verse very comforting in all areas of my life and especially as a homeschool parent. The only thing I can do is "trust in the Lord." If I do that, he promises to guide me...what more can I ask for?

Here's a picture of Caleb on the first day of Kindergarten.