Homeschooling Philosophy
We have toyed with the idea of home schooling ever since our first was just an infant. As time drew closer and closer to actually jumping in, I became more and more fearful of the prospect of educating our children. I got tripped up in the facts of reading and writing. How could I do it? Would I mess up and make mistakes? Would I be able to handle the day in and day out of being with our children with little break? I talked to everyone I knew who home schooled, read books, and tried to search out curriculum. I was stuck and knew no way forward, but then I had an epiphany. Home schooling is exactly what I do with them everyday with a bit more intentionality. If I could teach them to ride bikes, swim and get them potty trained, I could surely teach them to read, write, and everything else. Thankfully, you don’t begin having to teach calculus, so I realized that I could grow in teaching and learning right along with our children. Maybe home schooling them would home school me as well.
Once we were over this hurdle, we began to dream and imagine the type of life we wanted our children to have. What type of education did we want them to receive and what type of people did we want them to be? My husband and I took a weekend away and prayed and dreamed and wrote and asked God for guidance and came up with a big picture vision for our children. Then, and only then did we begin to pursue a method or curriculum to help support the original vision. For us, we couldn’t move forward with the pragmatic points of home schooling until our philosophy was set firm.
From the outset, we knew that home schooling would be a lifestyle that allowed for family travel. It has been a long held dream of ours to take our children on a pilgrimage around the world, immersing them in God’s movements in many cultures, not just the westernized American concept. It is very important to us to raise, “world citizens” who love the Lord and are kingdom-of-God minded first and foremost. We pray that our children will be at home with different cultures and different people.
Home schooling allows us to develop well read, well written people who know how to think for themselves. Thinking outside of the box is a very important trait that home schooling allows for; giving them freedom within structure and setting the dreams in their hearts to sail. We feel that learning is a lifelong habit and that God is speaking throughout the world in many ways and uses many tools to show us His truth. Home schooling would also allow for many important hands-on learning experiences; everything from cooking in the kitchen with Mom, fixing the car with Dad, to building things in the shop with their grandparents. All of these facets would be married to the concept that in the kingdom of God, our work is holy.
Then how do we want to spend the next 15 years, teaching and training our children for their ultimate good, and the advancement of the kingdom of God? It became clear to us both that we wanted to spend this time really getting to know our kids in deep meaningful ways that would give us insight into their gifts and calling. Then through great literature and international travel expose our children to the world. We would work with God constantly willing to seek the Holy Spirit for guidance every step of the way, keeping watch on their formation. That is how we were lead to the Charlotte Mason method. It gave us the structure we needed, the literature and culture that was essential, and the gentleness I needed to move forward. As we progress, I am sure this document will be revised and fine-tuned by the leading of the Holy Spirit and for that I am grateful. For now it is “one step at a time”.
this is very inspriring. thank you!
Comment by Mommy Zabs — August 9, 2007 @ 11:51 pm
Thank-you. I keep it close to remind me of what I am doing and were we are going!
Comment by admin — August 10, 2007 @ 1:31 pm
WOW! I just found your blog on smart moms- smart business and I am very impressed! I too and a homeschooling mom. You truly said it right in your Home School Philosophy. I believe God commands us to teach our children ourselves and that he give us all of the attributes required to do so. Home schooling has been a challenge for me considering my patience is about a centimeter long! But I wouldn’t have it any other way. I appreciate your thoughts!
Tina
http://www.clubcandles.com
Comment by Tina Wells — August 21, 2007 @ 7:01 pm
Tina, I am so gald you were inspired by it.
Comment by admin — August 21, 2007 @ 9:07 pm
I found your blog on my blogroll. It was great to read your HS philosophy. We share the same views on HSing. My wife and I graduated our two sons last year from homeschool high school. Now we are looking for ways to encourage families to homeschool through high school. We have a lot of great resources on our website and blog, including a great free newsletter.
Keep up the great work. The rewards are eternal!
Matt
www.TheHomeScholar.com
Comment by Matt Binz — November 18, 2007 @ 12:45 pm
Congratulations on deciding to take the first tentative steps on this wonderful journey as a family!
We began home educating in 1986 - our three children are now adults - and our journey began with a statement of belief about education and what we wanted to achieve over the next dozen or more years.
Every year I would reread our homeschool philosophy and be heartened that we were slowly achieving our goals. Our statement of philosophy helped to reassure me through moments of doubts, reminding me of why we were travelling this unusual path.
All the best!
Beverley Paine
http://homeschoolaustralia.com
Comment by Beverley Paine — February 29, 2008 @ 11:22 pm
Love this. Especially the fact that you and the hubby took time specifically to pray about this. I’ve been hearing much about about Charlotte Mason and recently ordered some materials so that I can get more familiar. Awesome!
Comment by Thoughtful Momma — August 11, 2008 @ 12:59 am
Thoughtful Momma, I would highly recommend reading “For the Children’s Sake” by Susan Schaeffer Macauley and looking around the Ambleside Online website. It is a free Charlotte Mason method homeschool cirr. website that we use to get it done.
They both are essential for doing CM with ease:-) Although at 2 you have a few years, just read a ton now.
Comment by Amber(Homeschool Diva) — August 11, 2008 @ 8:11 am
Wow! The power of God’s presence and love is all over this site. I am greatly moved by the tenderheartedness and encouragement I’ve sensed thus far. I have read your philosophy as well as ventured into your archived section. I am visiting your site for the first time – happens stance? Nah, I don’t believe so, but grateful to have come across it. I am a first-year Sunday school teacher for our Children’s Church Ministry. I have always had a heart for children since my youth and a knowing that God would one day use me to make an impact into the lives of children. Still not sure to what capacity, but I am passionate about what I do and embracing the journey and season I’m in. God is still growing me in various areas of leadership. Interestingly, I have no children of my own YET, but my husband and I trust and believe God for our lil’ praise & worshippers soon as I’ve learned in my spiritual walk that God is in control and everything He does is done His way, in His time and season. I’m convinced the outcome is always fruitful when ordained by God. Though sometimes it’s hard seeing I am always surrounded by children and attending and planning birthdays and extended family outings (by choice of course). I truly believe I’m in a season of grooming and preparation - just as I was before marriage 2 1/2 years ago. Oddly, I didn’t foresee marriage in my 5 year plan (smile). My soul mate just appeared. Surely, God has blessed me with His best. Who knows what wondrous journey God has planned for us next. Nevertheless, my confession of faith remains strong with regards to bearing my own children. The wonderful thing is, whenever I’m in the presence of, caring for, teaching, mentoring or simply having fun with children, I embrace and love them as my own. It’s definitely time treasured. So I can imagine the joy you feel on those “good days” spent with your children – whether home schooling or vacationing. I’ve written a mouthful which is more than I expected. Just giving you a little background. My husband and I have dear friends we’ve known for years now who, like yourself, home schooled their children from day one. I have seen only positive growth academically, spiritually, physically, mentally and socially. They are emotionally stable teenage girls (3) now with a heart to serve and a deep passion for learning. I have been inspired by their wealth of knowledge, understanding, spiritual maturity and wisdom – oh yes wisdom. God has certainly honored His word to give to those who ask- liberally - no limits or age barriers. For years I have thought about home schooling my children when they arrive on the scene and still feel it strongly today. It seems the more I inquire about HSing and hear positive feedback, the more I receive confirmation in my spirit. Curious, what happens when your children are ready for college? Are their college courses for home schoolers? My husband and I have never brought the subject up because HSing has always been a thought in my mind. I’m a planner as most women (mothers) are and I admire your unselfish desire to plan the best for your children even while your babe was in the womb (smile) - Beautiful! I would like to believe that there are still a few good public educators out there that have a concern and passion for the welfare of children and their future, yet it grieves me to hear and see the secular education system failing our young generation. Unfortunately, they are the ones suffering. They lack purpose and drive and have no sense of who they are and what the future holds for them. The world has embraced a completely unrighteous, anti-Christ system and is pressuring uneducated families to conform to their immoral program. I don’t mean to sound negative, but the enemy has been scheming and planning an attack against the defenseless and impressionable for decades. Having removed righteous standards and Godly principles from public schools was a MAJOR mistake. I am grateful and commend the parents who have taken a courageous step of faith and stood to safeguard their children from the wiles of the enemy. I wish all Christian families had the proper resources, finances and training expertise, etc. to home school. Truly, I believe this is an effective way to keep God’s command to “train up a child in the way he should go…” because the public school programs are certainly not! Lets continue to stand and intercede for righteous government for those unable to home school and bind the powers of darkness and the wicked rulers of this age.
May God’s grace (love, provision and favor) ever abound with exceeding abundance in everything you are Spirit-led to do. To God be the glory!
I praise God for your endurance and continued success!
In Christ’s love,
Karis
Comment by Karis Joseph — October 15, 2008 @ 3:10 pm
Karis,
Thank you for your passionate and encouraging comment. You are an blessed leader of the “least of these” and will be a wonderfal mother in God’s good time. They say God’s hand and move is the strongest among the poor and the marginalized, and I feel like children are one of the top people groups in this category. They are completely at the mercy of those around them and can do nothing for themselves. It is an honor to serve in this space for those who will in time, take the message of the Kingdom of God to the ends of the earth.
Peace to you,
Amber
Comment by Amber(Homeschool Diva) — October 15, 2008 @ 4:46 pm
Amber,
I am inspired by the thoughts you have laid out and how clearly you articulate your path to homeschooling. We just started this year. I have 4 children. ( 3 boys and 1 little girl, Smauel age 6 and 1/2, Peter who is 4, Gabriel who is 2 and a half and Lily Clare who is 9 months old.) I LOVE watching them all learn and sharing in their learning. I love being a mother to them and helping shape how they perceive the world around them.
There are crazy moments, as we call them in our house, but the craziness only adds to the gratefulness that we can navigate these times together.
Thank you for your ideas and your witness.
Peace,
MaryBeth
Comment by MaryBeth — November 7, 2008 @ 11:12 pm
Wow! I am a new homeschooling mom. Not nearly as creative, but definitely want to do it for the same and then some reasons. Daunting thought to be with my children 24/7 but have been doing it now for almost 1 1/2 years. Would love more children, but 2 is probably wise.
My 5 year old is starting to see the value in reading and writing and will soon be typing his own website addresses in or going to his own game. You know what? I taught him that! Feels special. Like you say, we teach them everything, why not just let it go on. Quite a revelation to me! Thank you.
Please keep up your work and sharing it with others. We need a network of support to do this.
Kind regards
Ananda
(South Africa)
Comment by Ananda — February 17, 2009 @ 4:41 am