You Have Options 

There are so many options out there for education. We are continually surprised how parents feel so constrained to one idea of education for their children. Most are aware that there are the traditional schools and private schools. You may even be aware that there are charter schools, homeschools, and even boarding schools. You might even know of more options than I have listed. Under each of those umbrellas there are even more options. Different types of schools of thought, different types of teachers etc. Some private schools offer a different philosophy of education, some charter schools have different angles that they take or a different emphasis that they offer. Of course, (as far as homeschooling goes) each parent brings their personal strengths to the table to create a different flavor of homeschooling for each family. From this wide spectrum of options it is good for you as a parent to figure out where you are on the spectrum and then evaluate -is that where you want to be? 

Don’t Bury Your Head in the Sand

We decided long ago that we wanted to be involved in our children’s education. Therefore, we have been homeschooling for the last 20 years –and counting. (read more on our About Us page) We wanted to know what our children were learning, and more importantly we wanted to teach them not only morals, but where morals come from. Not only to be loving, but to know The One who is love. These are things that are not taught in traditional schools. Often, traditional schools teach against the things we cherish most. Especially now, during these very uncertain times there are more reasons to get our eyes up and see what other options are out there. Therefore, we are challenging you to think about it. Really think about it. 

Parents are responsible for their child’s education 

First, we challenge you to come to the realization that you are responsible for your child’s education. If you enrolled your child in the local public school, take notice of the fact that you took action and enrolled them in the school. It did not happen by accident. It was not a passive action that you were forced into. By enrolling you child in a school you have given the responsibility to train up and educate your child to those who are governing the school and who are teaching there. As I stated before, you are responsible for your child’s education. Not a teacher, not a school, not a district, not the state. You! You, the parents, are responsible for your child’s education. You decide who, what, when, where, why, and how your children are educated. Next, (as we said earlier) realize that you have options. You are not bound to one way of educating -especially if it is not beneficial, helpful, or uplifting. May I challenge you to evaluate what you are currently doing to educate your children? Think about the answers to the questions below.

Let’s think about it…

Do you know what your goals are for the education of your children? At the end of their education what do you expect them to walk away with? Is the educational style you are utilizing teaching your children the values you and your family cherish? Is what they are learning true, or do you have a desire to correct the ideas that your children bring home? Are your children being taught to be and act like adults or are they being trained up by other children their own age under the guise of “socialization?” Are your children learning to love reading and learning to love to learn? If someone loves to read, they can learn just about anything. If they love to learn, they will grow exponentially. 

Pass it on to the next generation

There is such joy to be found and experienced when we pass wisdom onto our children. There is so much more to education than Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies, and Physical Education. Young students are ready and more capable of learning a foreign language as well as learning manners and morals. What about the arts, studying nature, studying composers, growing food, trades such as plumbing, welding, carpentry, etc.? A concept we learned from Voddie Baucham (click here to see some Youtubes of Voddie) is that we should homeschool with our grandchildren in mind. What are the things that we want to pass on to our grandchildren? This is a good way to begin sifting through the options that are before us. Spend some time discussing with your spouse, what are the values you cherish? What do you want to pass on to your grandchildren? Is the method of education that you are currently utilizing accomplishing your goals?

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