Run away, Run away!

Oftentimes, public schools teach AGAINST the things we cherish most. Many families begin homeschooling because they are (rightfully) running away from a circumstance/s that they are finally fed up with. For example, someone picking on their child, children coming home with inappropriate language or information, teachers with agendas that the parents disagree with, and schools vilifying parents for having their own opinions about what and when children learn about sex, race, gender roles, etc… Now, (during these very uncertain times) there are more reasons than ever to get our eyes up and look at what we are running to not just what we are running from. 

What are you running to?

What we are running to is not only a positive take on our adventure, it is what will help us persevere through difficult times. Homeschooling is difficult. Anyone that tells you differently is lying. But it is soooo good. So here is a list of some things that are positive and that are worth running to. Your list may include other items, let’s compare our lists… 

Cater to your student’s needs, ability to be spontaneous, ability to protect our children (spiritually and mentally), ability to teach our children our most treasured beliefs, training our children to be adults, family time, children spending more time with parents, instilling a love of learning, freedom, flexibility, self education/responsibility, amazing field trips, character development, character building, problem solving. 

These are things we can be running to as homeschool parents. When you are done celebrating all the things you have run from and feel like you have finally escaped, don’t stop there. Figure out what you want to run to and begin to celebrate that. Celebrate what you are running to with your spouse. Celebrate what you are running to with your children. Make it clear what you are excited about in your homeschooling adventure and remind yourself often. Give your friends permission to remind you what you are running to when you are discouraged and feeling like giving up. Do the same for your friends. When they are discouraged, remind them what they are running to and of the many blessings of educating their children at home. They need you as much as you need them during those times. 

We need a strong foundation.

What we are running from is a good beginning, but not a strong foundation to withstand the homeschool hurricane when it comes tearing through our families, marriages, and thought life. A better foundation that will anchor us during those storms are not what we are running from, but what we are running to.