Homeschooling is just THAT important

I'm sure most of you have heard about the Wisconsin protesting going on over the past several weeks regarding Governor Walker's determination to cut the budget by approving restrictions on union collective bargaining rights.  Seems a piece of it went through but still more is needing to be voted but is stalled because of the Democrats bailing on their jobs.  It is said that more than 70,000 people are showing up daily to either show their support or their opposition despite freezing temperatures here in the north!!  

But I'm not going to blog today on what's happening down in Madison.  It only spurred a conversation between my husband and I concerning laws that have huge affects on families. What would happen if - our state would try to push through anti-homeschooling laws?  Especially laws stating that it would be illegal.  (Heaven forbid that never happens)  But what if?  How would we respond?  We've talked about it in the past and our solutions remain the same.  We would leave the state.  Leave home, friends and loved ones, connections that we cringe at having to give up; like our raw milk!  (That's huge in itself!)  Even in these trying economic times our job; or at the very least the kids and I leaving and daddy staying on to work.  That would mean living in our camper somewhere warm!  The sacrifices would be great. Either no job, or life without daddy.  

It's about sacrifices.  Sacrifices that we have made for over 23 years.  Because homeschooling our children is that important.  It always has been.  Sacrifices are never easy.  Thats why they're called sacrifices.  But this one, to us, is that important.  I could have thrown it in same as anybody else.  Back in the day when we were pretty much the only family homeschooling for miles around, hardly any curriculum to choose from, support groups, books on homeschooling, blogs, etc. we plowed on.  My life was no different than anybody else's.  I have laundry, cooking, cleaning, contentious children, shopping and running errands with many children in tow, vacuuming, social events, children's activities, church work, me time, (I do try!) date nights;  all those things that a family does.  All those things but in double or even triple overdoses compared to most!  Okay, this is not a humble brag.  I'm only saying that homeschooling is that important.  It's something we do.  The reasons for all of us vary but it is something we have chosen to do.  Even more than a commitment.  But a way of life.  Because in the words of my sister-in-law who is homeschooling 5 young children, "It is hard, everyday I think why am I doing this?  But then I remember, there is no other alternative, no other choice, and it has to be this way and we keep moving forward."  I'm with you Denise.  There is no other choice. No, homeschooling is not a commandment.  But, there are commandments on how we are to raise them and what we are commanded to teach them.   And it is for those reasons that there is no other alternative.  That's why we do, that's why we continue to do it.  

We are often asked, well mostly me, "Don't you ever wish you could be doing something else with your time?  Like shopping, alone, crafting, a part time job, more reading, more bath time, more quiet time?"  Yes and no are usually my answers.  Yes, I'm human.  I like quiet, a home that stays clean longer than 5 minutes.  I'd curl my hair, put on some make up, read my scriptures, go shopping, join a fitness club, visit friends, ensure time to brush my teeth,  (Maybe brushing the teeth was overkill, that does get done!)  In order to achieve our goals, there has to be sacrifices.  Because it's just that important.