Homeschooling: Counting the Cost

[caption id="attachment_1567" align="alignnone" width="300"] Dissecting an Owl Pellet in 2003[/caption]

Standing in line at a used book sale, I overheard one mom telling another, "Anyone can home school. It's easy." I silently wondered how long she had been home schooling, because after seventeen years of educating my children at home, "easy," is not the adjective I would use. Yet, I remember those early years when I experienced many over-reactions to our new homeschooling lifestyle. I had just turned thirty when I chose to leave my job to home school my six and four year old sons as well as care for my newborn son. Friends, neighbors and family weren't very supportive. In response to their questioning, I found myself wearily defaulting to, "It's not that hard," or "It's not as hard as you think." To do over, I think I would approach the skeptics in my life a little bit differently. After all, my job as a home educator is not only challenging and deeply rewarding, but it is my calling. It is a God given privilege and a responsibility which has required sacrifice and trust in Christ.

When I talk to folks interested in homeschooling nowadays, I try to help them understand my responsibilities. If parents express a desire to home school their children, I encourage them to count the cost. Just as Jesus encouraged His apostles and disciples to count the cost of following Him, I think it is pertinent to give home schooling the same consideration. (See Luke 14:25-35) Likewise, if you feel called to educate your child in the public school system, counting the cost would be equally important.

Say I want to go on an extended road trip across America. I wouldn't just hop in the car one day and hope for the best, would I? No, I would consider my destination goals, gather necessary resources, determine possible obstacles, and I would make myself prepared. This way I would likely have a better experience. I would know, in advance, what is needed for the journey and I wouldn't be as surprised by any bumps in the road.

[caption id="attachment_1566" align="alignnone" width="300"] My children in 2005[/caption]

Let's look at the idea of educating our children at home like a road trip. Home schooling is a serious endeavor. It is not just about reading, writing and arithmetic. To the three R's, we need to add relationships, responsibilities, and right thinking. Educating a child encompasses more than academics. It is a big job and there are no guarantees. (There are no guarantees to public or private school education either!)

So what are the costs involved with home schooling children?

Commitment - Homeschooling is not something that you fit into your life. Homeschooling is a way of living. It requires priorities, patience and perseverance. Along with beautiful days of happy children and fun memories, there will be hard days – filled with grumpy faces, tears of frustration and pint sized attitudes that beg adjusting. There will be days that mommy's attitude needs adjusting! (Been there, wear the t-shirt!) Moms and Dads, these are the days that we need to stand in faith. When God calls us, He equips us. Instead of running to the nearest public or private school, we need to run to God and obey. When faced with difficulties, we can reach out to older and wiser mentors, research possible solutions, and then prayerfully seek God for His will. Will we trust God to provide and persevere through the hard times? Will we seek Him, instead of relying on our own common sense or on the wisdom of the world's educational system?

Sacrifice - Homeschooling often requires one parent to be at home full time. A single income lifestyle has a way of helping families prioritize. We learn the difference between, "need," and "want." Our choices, by necessity, reflect our commitment to home education. If God calls us to homeschooling, we must be willing to follow Him, whatever that means in our particular circumstances. Will we be content to accept the sacrifices that homeschooling demands? (Giving up a second car? Stay-cations, instead of vacations? Being with children 24/7? Downsizing to a smaller, more affordable home? Becoming debt-free?) Homeschooling certainly has many wonderful benefits and blessings, but are we willing to receive whatever restrictions we may encounter as a result of our chosen lifestyle?

Obedience - Christian homeschooling is a ministry to our children. It is a commitment for our children's spiritual well being and a lifestyle that encourages deepening family relationships, while giving parents the freedom to bring their children up in the training and instruction of the Lord. (See Ephesians 6:4) Homeschooling our children gives us many opportunities every day to learn to actively love, respect, and forgive more like Jesus. Homeschooling is not just another way to educate our children. It is a calling. Will we heed that call? Will we lay down our lives for the good of our children?

There isn't a package that we can buy that will give us immediate homeschooling success. There will be detours, road construction, and a lot of rabbit trails. We will never be fully prepared to home school our children at the beginning of the journey, but if we are committed to following God and are willing to make the needed sacrifices, we can walk in confidence . God is faithful.

“Faithful is He who calls you, and He will bring it to pass.” ~1 Thessalonians 5:24

Be brave dear moms!

Grateful for Grace,