Episode 12: Discovering the Heart and Why of Homeschooling (Homeschool Series, Part 1)
Welcome to a short series on Homeschooling!
For the next 4 weeks, we are going to focus on various topics related to homeschooling, as there is a lot of interest about it these days, and I’ve heard from many families that they need help deciding if homeschooling is for them, and if so, HOW to do it! We are going to answer ALL of these questions in the coming weeks, and I have a couple of guests with whom I’ll be having conversations about some of the different aspects and the many ways to homeschool.
Even if you’ve never considered the possibility, I want you to stick around! Though we are focusing on homeschooling, much of what I’m going to share relates to all parents everywhere, regardless of the type of education you choose for your children.
Today we are going to go to the foundation—the heart and why of homeschooling:
God commands parents to teach their children
Deuteronomy 11:18-22 NLT
“So commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these words of mine. Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders. Teach them to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates, so that as long as the sky remains above the earth, you and your children may flourish in the land the Lord swore to give your ancestors. Be careful to obey all these commands I am giving you. Show love to the Lord your God by walking in his ways and holding tightly to him.”
We can disciple our children in God’s ways through homeschooling
We can provide a Biblically-based education
We can protect them from evil
We give an individualized education based on their strengths
We create a family culture of learning
We can make a flexible schedule that meets our needs
Our kids can play and be children—no need for homework or lots of sitting
Our question today is from Nicole: How do you manage homeschooling a variety of ages and different children/personalities?
Recognize that God has equipped you as their mom to teach them. There is no better teacher.
God gave you each child and will give you grace for each one.
He cares about them more than you do.
Practical: combine kids in subjects as often as you can—choose curriculum that will help you with this (I’ll tell you what we use that makes combining kids a breeze in part 3.)
Make your schedule work for you, and change it if it’s not working (do things with older kids during nap time, etc.)
Teach your kids to work independently when it’s feasible for their age
Batch subjects if needed (whole day of science, history, etc.)
Change things up as needed—school outside, in a fort, etc.