27 February 2011

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. 




14 comments:

Tristan said...

I love this post and agree, homeschooling is that important. We, too, would leave if laws made homeschooling illegal where we are. I pray daily that it never will come to that, but if it does then we will go where God wants us.

ccc said...

We have been homeschooling for 15 years, and over the years my children would ask that same question! Our answer:
My husband and I would take every one of our children and just run off to where we would be left alone. We cannot entrust the souls of our children to anyone else!

Even if the schools were the epitome of Christianity and morality, being home with parents and siblings is just so much more important. There is so much more to life than the academics that school provides.

Unknown said...

CCC. I second what you said. There is so very much more to homeschooling and life than the academics. And our children being shut up in school for the whole day they just miss so much of real life and real relationships. Reality is not in the classroom, it's in the world, with family at your side.

Simple Home said...

What a wonderful post. You're so right. It is THAT important. We've had the same talk. We would leave the state. I'm concerned that my children won't have the same freedom to homeschool that we do.

Everything I read from HSLDA says we're under a new wave of attacks, and this will be a harder one to fight because we are doing what they accuse us of. We ARE teaching our children our beliefs.

Blessings,
Marcia

Anonymous said...

Well said and stand in agreement...Homeschooling is THAT important :) It's a freedom that we cherish.

mary from mic said...

It is THAT important. The public schools take more and more and more money and teach less and less and less what will help prepare children for life's journey as an adult. And socialization? That kind of "socialization" we can live without!

Unknown said...

Excellent thoughts Marcia. Thanks for sharing. You are right. Our kids are expected to be dumbed down too, otherwise it just wouldn't be fair would it? And big gov. is not going to be happy until they've achieved their initiative. Of making every kids lame, and not just in academics either. But spiritually and morally. Oh, and definitely see to it that they lose all common sense too.

jennifer said...

Amen to everyone here. In agreement all the way. It would be RV schooling for sure around here because they are not getting their grips on my kids.

Kim said...

Amen! What a hard thing it would be if we were not legally able to homeschool! Hard choices would have to be made, for sure. Great post!

Laura said...

Well said....I wouldn't change HS our kids for the world! Thankful I don't have to by law cart them off to the Romans for their education. Also thankful that learning and teaching isn't just from text books, but also from daily life skills.
Laura

busymomof10 said...

This is such a beautiful, heart-felt post! I love it!!! Thanks for sharing your heart!

What I wonder is not what I would do if homeschooling became illegal in my state, but what if we reach the day where it becomes illegal in America?? Would I/we be willing to leave the land that we love and move to another country -- and will there be another country with that freedom -- so we could continue to homeschool our children? Scary to think of the hard times that may lay ahead! And then the nagging thought -- am I making the most of the time I do have with my children right now????

Very thought-provoking blog post! Thanks for sharing!

momoflots said...

I agree - it is THAT important!!! We have been homeschooling from the beginning (my oldest is 21) and since we still have a baby on the way we have years more to go. I expect there will be many changes - and while I don't like to think about them and try to just take one day at a time - I know in my heart of hearts we need to be prepared for what may come!!!

Blessings,
Christine

Becca said...

I agree with every word! AND I know a GREAT warm place y'all can come live at if needed! :)

dggp said...

This is great. I agree. It is that important.

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