Confessions of a Homeschooling Mom
Glynis M. Belec
"You do what?" I looked carefully into Marilyn’s eyes, trying to
determine if she reminded me of any particular personality type that
I had analyzed during my Psychology of Abnormal Behaviour
course. She seemed sane. "Homeschooling?" I whispered to my friend,
hoping no one had heard the topic of discussion. "Is it legal?"
Marilyn offered a knowing smile and proceeded to introduce me to an
educational option that I had once deemed suitable only for
agitators with an agenda.
As I began to listen to Marilyn and discovered the desire she had
to educate her children in a manner pleasing to God, I became
excited and felt compelled to learn more about the homeschooling
"movement." The spark was ignited.
After prayerful consideration, attendance at numerous workshops,
visiting with other homeschooling families, and reading voluminous
reports, statistical and practical information, my husband and I
felt that God was nudging us in the direction of teaching our
children at home. With both feet planted firmly in mid air, we let
go and let God.
Contrary to what I had supposed, homeschooling is not just for
children of missionaries in deepest Africa, nor is it a sign of
eccentricity, nonconformist behaviour, or left over hippie idealism
from generations ago. As for agitators with agendas. . .our only
motive was to give our best to our family in obedience to God.
"These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your
hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit
at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when
you get up…"(Deuteronomy 6:6-7)
When my children were mere babes in arms, I read an article in
the newspaper on homeschooling. I was intrigued but too busy to do
more than file it into the part of my brain labelled, "Peculiar
Ideas." Little did I know that a prod from God years later would
cause me to reconsider what I had read.
So why do parents choose to homeschool their children? Is it
legal? Doesn’t it take up all of your time, and what about high
school and—the biggest question—what about socialization?
There are many reasons why parents opt to teach their children at
home, including concern for spiritual and character development as
well as social and academic objectives. A strong commitment to
traditional values such as God and family often forms the basis for
the home education choice.
Because a child can be taught on an individual basis, unique
needs and interests can be pursued, and opportunity is there to
present all subjects from a biblical perspective (yes, including
math!). The freedom to develop special talents and gifts is enhanced
by the flexibility of a home education schedule.
Homeschooling is not just another education option, as we see it,
but rather a lifestyle that we felt led by God to embark upon.
Flexibility has been a real benefit for our homeschooling
experience. We have been able to do academics around other
activities, including weekly volunteering at an overseas disaster
relief organization, annual visits to hospitalized veterans, a trip
to the parliament buildings in Ottawa, baby-sitting for troubled
families, caring for sick relatives, enjoying cabin fever week in
February, and participating in many other character-building and
"educational" opportunities.
At one of the first workshops my husband and I attended, we heard
about a concept called "delight-directed studies." This is a
situation in which curiosity and practical experience are combined
in a subject area that really interests the child or student. For
example, one year both our children showed particular interest in
Remembrance Day. We went to the library and signed out many books on
both wars; we contacted Veteran’s Affairs and received a series of
videos and literature; we studied leaders, heads of governments,
various battles; and we devised and shared critical thinking
questions and reasoning on the subject of war.
Since my parents are World War II veterans, they were
interviewed, and then we began to take part in the Remembrance Day
services at a veteran’s hospital, as we continue to do every
November 11th. The Bible was the focus of our
discussions, and we would talk about the differences between
external battles and the battles that we fight daily as Christians.
Because an initial interest in the subject was expressed, I was
able to capitalize on this, and I continue to marvel how receptive
young people can be and how such learning can maximize the retention
of concepts.
Homeschooling is certainly legal in Canada and, depending upon
the jurisdiction, families discover from individual school boards
what their policies are. Some families sign a release of
responsibility form. Others attend pre-arranged meetings with
principals while other families receive regular visits from
appointed officials. The Education Act (1992) states A child is
excused from attendance at school if the child is receiving
satisfactory instruction at home or elsewhere.
Section 21(2). Some families opt to have no contact with the school
officials. There is an organization, the Home School Legal Defense
Association (HSDLA), that many home educators belong to. HSDLA
advises members of their rights, deals with school officials and
social workers, and represents members in court, should the need
arise.
There is a plethora of fine Christian textbooks, workbooks and
theme-centered materials available for the new and seasoned home
educator. When we first started homeschooling, almost eight years
ago, I desired a more traditional textbook, logical approach for
each subject, so I used the Abeka curriculum (Pensacola, Florida)
and was extremely impressed by the high quality of the material and
the extensive teachers guides. As the years progressed, I got a
little braver and tried other publishers, and now I often create my
own teaching and learning materials from the wealth of available
resources. The government offers many wonderful (and free!)
resources for learning, too. We have received realms of literature,
hands on learning kits, videos, and posters. They are more than
happy to oblige.
Many times we visited a county courthouse when we were discussing
aspects of law enforcement from both a worldly and scriptural sense.
My children had written to the presiding judge after one particular
visit and were thrilled and honoured to receive his personal reply.
They learned a lot about judgment and compassion that day.
Last year my daughter entered college (We opted to cease
homeschooling at this point—although curricula is available!), and
we were pleased to discover that homeschooled students are being
readily accepted in many post-secondary institutions now.
"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and the
knowledge of the Holy One is understanding." Proverbs 9:10 NIV.
Wisdom and understanding of the things of God are truly what we want
for our children, partly because neither my husband nor I were
raised in a believing home, and, more importantly, we feel the peace
and direction God has given us in this area of our lives.
Many families who homeschool often remark about the unity and
closeness that they experience as a result of working together, and
it is pleasing to realize that, often, a homeschooled child has
little difficulty relating and speaking to people of all ages. Godly
principles of interaction can be modeled and taught, reinforced, and
encouraged by parents. Successful socialization is achieved when a
person is able to interact with all ages rather than with just a
single peer group.
When I am faced with a seemingly impossible task, I take a look
at the blackboard in our classroom, and I remember where my energy
comes from. "I can do all things through Christ who gives me
strength." Phil. 4:13. Although the chalk on my board is now fading,
the message still shines brightly in my mind. At the beginning of
each school year, I purposefully post an inspirational scripture in
a strategic location so that I might be renewed and reminded of my
commitment to educate my children with God’s guidance.
I suppose I knew that there would be times when a quick reminder
of Christ’s presence would be like a balm on a busy day, and over
the years of homeschooling my delightfully creative daughter and her
wonderfully challenging brother, I have sought refuge in His arms on
more than a few occasions.
Education is life. Learning should not stop when the bell rings.
Samuel Johnson (1709-1784) once said, "The great advantage of
parent-directed tutoring is its philosophical dexterity,
ambidexterity, and polydexterity. Soaring to new heights or swooping
to the depths, it is free to be what ‘ere they choose it to be."
I think Mr. Johnson was on to something!
