The Only Kids in the Creek
It was a pretty normal morning. Our three children and I were wading through a close-by stream, searching for little creatures. We were quite the sight – large rubber boots, nets, and nature jars in our hands. But we had success – a toad – croaking loudly. As we emerged from a treed space, I noticed a large group of children of all ages lined at the edge of the water. “Must be a homeschool group” was my first assumption – I’d never seen children here during a school day. Our children are always the only kids in the creek. Upon asking a young blond boy, I was pleasantly…
The REAL World.
I’ve lived through the condescension. I’ve had the narrowed glares and raised eyebrows fired my way more times than I could ever count. And just when I thought I couldn’t bear being asked the same question any more, it’s shot at me again: “So, honestly, how are you preparing your kids for the REAL world?” People ask this when they find out we educate at home. People ask this when they find out we censor what our children read and watch. People ask this when they find out we do not have TV or video games. People ask this when they hear we teach the gospel in our home. People ask…
Daily Surrender, Daily Renewal
I find most people have an interesting view of home educators. Sure, ideas about living within the ‘homeschool’ span the horizon but the ladies I speak to share a common response – “Wow, I could never do that! You must be an amazing Mom…” (or something along those lines). I always feel incredibly uncomfortable with comments that glorify my Mom-hood. Incredibly uncomfortable. I’m not perfect. In fact, some days we barely make it. Like the last few, where I’ve yelled at my children, pushed my puppy out in the rain, and spent twenty minutes secretly crying out to God in the bathroom. Home Education is a calling. I feel I’ve been…