19 January 2010
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We are in our 4th year of homeschooling our girls. When we began we did so with a fair amount of anxiety, insecurity, doubts… could we do this? Should we do this? Why are we doing this? Today we are able to answer these and
other home-school questions with more confidence and delight: confidence that comes from the Lord who alone equips us to do what He calls us to do and delight that comes from a bit of experience and hope founded on the experiences of so many who have beforehand paved the way. As we all look ahead to the rest of the school year, I would like to share some keys that have helped us to not only survive, but thrive on this homeschooling journey:
1) Knowing why we are doing this – having a “Purpose Statement” for homeschooling. Our family home-schools in order to train our children up inthe ways of the Lord. Homeschooling provides, by far, the most efficient lifestyle for this goal. Being with my children enables me to instill biblical ideals in them and to seek moment-by-moment to apply those biblical ideals in how my girls solve conflicts, approach school work and chores, and in general decision making. It also provides very fertile ground for my own sanctification – nothing is more demanding of my whole self than taking on the role of full-time mother and teacher of my children; a demand that can only be met as I learn to submit myself unto my Savior. Knowing what ‘biblical ideals’ to instill and how to instill them was little more than an idea when we first began. Now this is taking root as we seek to begin and end our day in family worship and begin our school time with a detailed Bible study. God’s Word is truly life-giving and fulfilling – unlike anything else in this world. God and His Word are the main reason for the joy being granted us as we progress along this wonderful, but hard and demanding, road of homeschooling. We would love to share the specifics of our worship and Bible study with anyone wanting to know more.
2) Getting involved in activities and making friends for both me and my girls. We are all so blessed to be a part of a thriving home-school group full of wonderful opportunities made possible by the sacrifice of so many.
3) Attending Home-school Conventions and our very own Northshore HEA Kickoff. The seminars at the conventions and at our Kickoff are always inspiring; try to bring your husband along if at all possible – having him develop a passionate vision for homeschooling is a wonderful blessing.
4) Subscribing to a Home-school magazine. I still feel as though I’ve received a present when a new issue comes in the mail, and in my first couple of years I would read through it cover-to-cover being replenished, revived, and rejuvenated as other home-school parents share their struggles, their successes, and their creative ideas through the articles. There are many to pick from, including: “This Old Schoolhouse”, “Practical Homeschooling”, “Homeschooling Today”, and – my personal favorite: “Home-school Enrichment” (they will send you one free sample issue). May God bless us all with a successful last half of the school year.
Amy and Vincent Fonseca, NHEA Treasurers
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