Why Do YOU Homeschool?
Why do we Homeschool? Homeschooling, for me, has always been a way of life. I was homeschooled from K through 12th grade and loved the experience. I decided to pursue higher education and graduated in three years with honors. It wasn’t just the opportunities I had but the loving surroundings in which I was able to grow and flourish with love, stability, and Christian spirituality. I attribute my homeschool experience as an excellent springboard for my life and events that took me well into adulthood with fond memories.
My brother and I were not concerned about how other students would treat us as we learned. My brother was “disabled” in the sense of the word, but I didn’t think it was odd that I, two years his junior was on the same grade level. We were free to learn at our own pace, gleaning information on topics that interested us (it seemed) at every turn during school hours or not. I later learned that my mother planned our year ahead of time and often switched topics as our interests became fine-tuned to a particular subject. It appeared to us as if the world was our school, and on many days we were excited to begin.
We were free to learn at our own pace, and often, testing was a form of a game where mom asked us questions and we bunny-hopped, jumped, or skipped to the end, signifying completion. When testing became more formalized, it still was a contest where we tried to beat last time’s score or asked for unique “extra credit” answers that would bring us over the 100 mark. Mom was always sure to comply. My mom didn’t like testing us, but I enjoyed the tests.
Homeschooling my own children was an easy choice, especially since I have the loving support of my husband, who was not homeschooled but had cousins who were through high school. We both want to offer our children an excellent education both academically as well as with the foundation of Christianity. Homeschooling, we both agree, will accomplish that desire for our family. I am excited knowing my children will experience the same things that I had growing up: the freedom to talk and discuss profound religious truths, question when those teenage years come up, and know that my parents never discounted our questions as childish or rude, but listened and directed with love and concern. I also love having a flexible schedule, except for offering my young children a little more structure than my mom gave us. Mom is almost perfect in the proverbial “Mary Poppins” sense, is an icon of the homeschool movement, and is well-loved…But I can’t do everything just like her! In fact, I learned that from her. She told me to think for myself, stand my ground, and always cheer me on when confronted with tough decisions and whatever life crisis crops up.
I have only just begun my journey with my young children; the oldest turned five in January. With almost a year of schooling completed, I have come to realize what a tremendous undertaking homeschooling can be for the entire family. We have had the most incredible year in terms of growth, enjoyment of each other’s company, and of course, the element my mom used, “fun.” We have learned much and had a few ups and downs along the way. Homeschooling is not for the faint of heart. It takes commitment and dedication. It takes a totally unselfish love for your children that supersedes what the world says is “normal” in regard to traditional schooling.
I remember a story recounted by my mom. She had us in a high-end preschool where academics were stressed, thinking that was important for my speech-delayed brother. I went along for the ride, so to speak, and made friends quickly, as did my mother. When it came time for school, Mom decided to homeschool my brother, and of course, I followed suit. She received a call from a friend one morning (I was too young to remember), who felt “sorry” for my mother. You see, she had rushed through the morning, gotten her child on the school bus, and was sitting down in a wrecked kitchen with a cup of coffee before she tackled the day. She told my mom she was sorry for not getting a “break.” My mom recounts, “I told her that I was sitting in bed, with my second cup of coffee, still in pj’s with two kids flanked on either side, pillows fluffed, and reading. We had completed our religion books, Bible, and history. Breakfast was long done and washed and put away, and we would soon dress and do a few more chores before we headed upstairs to our school room to tackle some math, writing, and other activities.” This friend didn’t call again, feeling sorry for my mom. In fact, we felt sorry for ourselves if we did not complete school by noon, so we had the day to explore our world!
For the success of a lifetime homeschooler, I believe it is a decision, not something to revisit every year. It is similar to reviewing your marriage and deciding yearly if it works out for you! Marriage is a commitment, and for my family, so is homeschooling. We will give it our all. We don’t micro-analyze it looking for an out, looking at what they are “missing” in the school bazaar, fund-raisers, track and field events, or the like.
We feel it is ordained by the Word of God, and we know, by His grace, we will continue with the tradition of raising a mighty people who love and will serve Him in thought, word, and deed! If you are considering homeschooling, I ask you to prayerfully consider what the Lord wants for you, for your life, and for your family. Do not look left or right; look straight ahead. If the Lord ordains it, He will give you the blessings and grace to continue. Don’t take my word for it; take His.
Christina Gerwitz Moss is a Christian, wife, and homeschool mom of four precious blessings, and she is the daughter of Jeff and Felice Gerwitz (Media Angels). While still a homeschooler, Christina desired to be an author. She urged her mom to write a series of novels. However, her mom turned the tables and urged Christina to try her hand. The results were a mother-daughter team, and the highly successful novels are loved by many and sold on many online venues such as Christian Book Distributors. The Truth Seekers Mystery Series was born, three action-adventure, mystery, and suspense novels. Christina completed the last one as a college freshman.
