Let me begin by saying that this article is not an attack on or judgment of public schools. I am a product of public schools, and I know without a doubt that I received a superb education.
I am also an advocate for education as both a professor and one who comes from a long line of educators. I believe that education is the key to both knowledge and innovation.
And yet we homeschool…
We sent my oldest to public school for kindergarten, and there were just too many obstacles, from bullying to subtle discrimination. Needless to say, I was a bit disappointed with our experience. But the straw that broke the camel’s back was when my son mentioned God in class and was told he couldn’t talk about that in school.
Of course, I understand that it is deemed offensive and inconsiderate for him to discuss his faith among other students who may not share the same faith. I never complained or offered pushback to his teacher. After all, she was doing her job.
At the same time, it was an ah-ha moment for me. I want God in everything they do, especially in these formative years. I want their foundation of faith to be so strong that a slimy serpent has a hard time convincing them.
With that said, I opted to homeschool that next school year. Knowing nothing about what homeschool looked like, I decided to try this alternative for my family. I immersed myself in curriculum options, found local homeschool groups (co-ops), and found a routine that worked for our family.
My Reasons Why
Reason #1
I want, more than anything, for faith to be the cornerstone of their lives. I want them to be able to learn biblical truths freely and express their faith openly. I want them to be surrounded by Christ’s love daily.
Reason #2
I also want family to be a priority for them. I want them to lean into their relationships as siblings. Family is so understated in our society, but I believe in the strength and power of familial bonds.
Reason #3
As an African American woman, it’s important to me that my children learn about their history. Who they are and where they come from beyond Dr. King and Frederick Douglass. I wanted them to learn about Mansa Musa and Nat Turner, dance to Armstrong, and read the works of Baraka.
Reason #4
Lastly, it was important to me that we travel as a family beyond summers and spring breaks. With my husband having an unorthodox work schedule, weekdays are often the best time for us to travel. We went to Disney on a Monday in November. We went to Birmingham for a civil rights experience on a Tuesday. These experiences have been invaluable.
For seven years now, we have been cooking, crafting, field-tripping, and traveling homeschoolers.
Is it Enough?
But then I started to wonder, is it enough? Are my reasons why enough? Not to mention the fact that my three younger children were curious about public school. “Is it like the movies?” my youngest son asked. “I wanna ride on the school bus,” my daughter explained.
So, we tried public school for one school week, five days: two in elementary school and two in middle school. I prayed that God would give my husband and me wisdom, that he would lead and guide us in whatever decision we should make regarding schooling.
How it Went
Overall, my children liked going to school. Their teachers were incredible, and they made friends. After the first day, they came home happy and excited for the next day. Despite some challenges (we’ll get into those in the next section), we started to accept that maybe public school was worth a try.
As we were just days into the journey, I started leaning more toward homeschooling again. A word from Chrystal Evans Hurst, also a homeschool mom, at my church’s women’s conference spoke to me. “Don’t be distracted…stay focused,” is what I wrote in my notes that Thursday night. In our break-out session, I shared my doubts about homeschooling, more specifically, the recent questioning of whether it was enough. This kind woman at the table preached to my soul. She encouraged me, and sometimes that’s all we need.
Funny enough, a homeschool mom pulled me aside at the conference saying that she recognized me from an online homeschool group.
To Homeschool or Not to Homeschool
When we discussed the pros and cons and compared both options, they all missed homeschool life. The common theme was that they missed being with their family. They also missed their freedom. The freedom to finish schoolwork and go in their backyard to play. The freedom to go on an impromptu family outing.
I was thrilled to hear that the faith component was an important missing piece, particularly for my middle schoolers. The boys came home saying, “Middle schoolers are wild, and they have foul mouths.” From girls crushing and arguing over one son to the constant use of the f-word by their counterparts, it was a lot.
My oldest son said,” I miss being in a Christian environment. “He spoke about how important his faith was to him. I asked my second oldest, “You mentioned how wild the kids are at school; how do you avoid behaving the same way?” He said, “Because it doesn’t align with God’s world.”
Needless to say, I shed a few tears. God had confirmed my whys.
He also showed me that what I had been doing was and is enough. How? My children knew how to do the work the kids were doing in school. In fact, some of them said that they felt ahead in many of the subjects.
Plus, they were hungrier than ever and more tired than I’ve ever seen them (late mornings are another benefit of homeschooling).
And let me be honest and say that I missed my kids. I missed fixing them a warm lunch every day. I missed our morning devotions and our family learning time. I missed interacting with them throughout the day, and I missed my random hugs. I live for their hugs!
Our public school journey has ended, and we’re back to homeschooling. In fact, we are headed to Pensacola Beach, Florida, this Thursday morning.
To any mom struggling with homeschooling or wondering if it’s enough, let this be your reminder. You are doing enough! Continue to lay that foundation of faith and family. It’s the most important thing!
