Oh how this is a hot button issue. I had no idea.
So Frankie and I are beginning to consider homeschooling. For the first few years. I don't know, til 2nd grade, til 4th grade, I don't know. It is simply a thought right now. A consideration. Yet also a prayer request. I don't need 241 comments on this blog about everyone's individual opinions on whether or not I should homeschool. I would not base a decision like that upon everyone else's opinions. However, I would like to ask for prayer on it.
I am homeschooling Victoria for preschool this year. Next year she would be entering kindergarten. Frankie and I have been doing a lot of talking lately. Mostly just between the two of us, and now I am branching out talking to moms who have had some experience with it and can give me some deeper insight into it. Our basic thoughts are this: as her parents, we want to control the influences surrounding her. Giving her daily interaction with positive role models and minimal interaction with negative role models. And implementing biblical principles and scripture into her education is extremely important to us. I am not the least concerned about socialization. We go to Sunday school, BSF, gymnastics, playdates, etc etc. Some may say that's sheltering, but you know what? I like to challenge that thought.... so what's wrong with that?? As her parent I feel that's my responsibility. She doesn't NEED to be exposed to everything out there. She will be eventually. So why not establish the strongest foundation possible while she is young and while I still have the ability to control her learning environment? If the theory is to get them out there and just give them the opportunity to make the right choices then why not send them to a party at 16 years old when you know there will be drinking... just to give them the opportunity to make the right choice. No, I feel there is a certain amount of limits you can place on your child to help keep them from stumbling. Once they reach a certain age you can't do that anymore... you HAVE to let go. But right now I don't. So I want to take advantage of it. Not too many years from now, my opinion, Frankie's opinion... they won't hold much weight. Her friends, her peers, the "cool crowd"... those opinions will matter. But if she has had that daily interaction with her father and I for those first few years, and is more grounded... I'm thinking she will be able to make better choices. And not hold so much value to that "cool crowd" opinion.
Does that mean I have decided for certain on homeschooling? No. I am not sure I am fully equipped to do so. But I have a husband that is home during the day, and also desires to go down this path. And having his help is huge.
And another thing to consider: we travel a lot. We left just about everything behind when we picked up and moved to Fresno in February of 2005, only 5 months after getting married and settling into our little condo in Anaheim Hills. I was terrified. I knew no one. I had no family here. No church. I certainly couldn't fathom starting a family here "all alone." Granted, God has worked through all that and we love it here. We have established an incredible life here and I am thankful EVERY day for it. And for Frankie's job. It allows us to go where ever we want... on a Tuesday afternoon. Go to southern california in middle of the week. And stay a week if we want. Go camping for 2 weeks if we want. Not only when the schools have days off. Once we put V in school those trips are going to be extremely limited. Seeing our family will be very limited. Neither of us want that. Again, eventually she will be in school. Can't completely avoid that and don't want to. But for now, it would be a great advantage to be going at our own pace, making our own schedule.
So, what's the point of this post again?? Oh ya, to ask for prayer on this. I am going to do my research, really check into this and really pray about it. I believe with all my heart God will reveal what would be best for our family. Any prayers to get us to that point would be helpful. :)
