we're Glad you're here!
Maybe you always knew that homeschooling would be the educational path you would choose for your children, or maybe you never dreamed or considered homeschooling as a viable option for your family and now you (excitingly? terrifyingly? maybe both?) find yourself here.
Good news! No matter how you landed here, we are glad you are here and we want to do whatever we can to help you succeed on this homeschooling journey.
What is Education?
Defining True Education
"Our ideas of education take too narrow and too low a range. There is need for a broader scope, a higher aim. True education means more than the perusal of a certain course of study. It means more than a preparation for the life that now is. It has to do with the whole being, and with the whole period of existence possible to man. It is the harmonious development of the physical, the mental, and the spiritual powers. It prepares the student for the joy of service in this world and for the higher joy of wider service in the world to come."
~E.G. White, Education
The Reality
"For we have let our young men and women go out unarmed in a day when armor was never so necessary. By teaching them to read, we have left them at the mercy of the printed word. By the invention of the film and radio, we have made certain that no aversion to reading shall secure them from the incessant battery of words, words, words. They do not know how to ward them off or blunt their edge or fling them back; they are prey to words in their emotions instead of being the masters of them in their intellects...We have lost the tools of learning, and in their absence can only make a botched and piecemeal job of it."
~Dororthy L. Sayers, "The Lost Tools of Learning"
The Goal of Education
"Every human being, created in the image of God is endowed with a power akin to that of the Creator--individuality, power to think and to do. The men in whom this power is developed are men who bear responsibilities, who are leaders in enterprise, and who influence character. It is the work of true education to develop this power, to train the youth to be thinkers, and not mere reflectors of other men's thought. Instead of confining their study to that which men have said or written, let students be directed to the sources of truth, to the vast fields opened for research in nature and revelation. Let them contemplate the great facts of duty and destiny, and the mind will expand and strengthen.
"Instead of educated weaklings, institutions of learning may send forth men strong to think and to act, men who are masters and not slaves of circumstances, men who possess breadth of mind, clearness of thoughts, and the courage of their convictions."
~E.G. White, Education
The Method
"In a knowledge of God all true knowledge and real development have their source...The mind of man is brought into communion with the mind of God, the finite with the Infinite. The effect of such communion on body and mind and soul is beyond estimate.
In this communion is found the highest education. It is God's own method of development. 'Acquaint now thyself with Him' (Job 22:21), is His message to mankind."
~E.G. White, Education
Getting Past "I Can't Do This"
Facing your fears
While parents are intrigued by the idea of homeschooling, the reality of it can seem like an insurmountable, impossible, daunting task. As a result, many parents disqualify themselves before they even get started.
We are here to assure you that YOU CAN homeschool! You CAN do this! How?
Let's begin by addressing the top three reasons parents cite for choosing not to homeschool:
Lack of Patience
Let's acknowledge that being a parent is TOUGH! Trying to shepherd the lives and hearts of young ones that know all of your buttons and exactly how to push them is incredibly challenging (#TheStruggleIsReal). However, psychology also teaches us that the very things that trigger us (Parenting Triggers: 3 important things you should know) are the sources of some of our personal traumas.
Ultimately, lacking patience is a heart issue--one we should be eager to overcome, not just as parents but as individuals. And while developing it is not easy, it is possible (7 Tips for Getting Better at Practicing Patience). The only way to become more patient is by practicing patience! Homeschooling your children offers a perfect venue for this important character development, not only in yourself but in your children. Doing the challenging work of developing patience is an investment in yourself and in your relationship with your children.
Don't be content to settle for a lesser version of yourself because it is "easier" now. Your kids deserve more and so do you!
You CAN do this!
Lack of Education
"But I'm not a teacher!"
Yes, you are! You teach your kids things every day. Can your kids tie their shoes? Who taught them that? Can they ride a bike? Who taught them that? Can they follow a recipe? Who taught them that?
Teaching your child academic subjects is no different than teaching them anything else. Also, there are so many EXCELLENT curricula out there that walk you through exactly what to say and do when teaching lessons.
You CAN do this!
"But I'm not the expert!"
You may not be the expert in education, but YOU are the expert in YOUR CHILD--that is the most important expertise you need. You know them better than anyone else. You will champion them more than anyone else. You love them more than anyone else. You are more invested in their success than anyone else.
You are capable of directing your child's education in exactly the way it needs to be to make your child THRIVE.
You CAN do this!
"But I'm not qualified!"
"Qualified" and "Certified" are not the same. Did you go to school? If so, then yes, you are qualified to teach your child. If you don't feel qualified, then we have a greater problem (see Reason 3: Fear of Failure).
You CAN do this!
Fear
Chances are, if you are considering homeschool, then there is something that not quite working in your current situation, or something that you believe could be better. However, fear of the unknown often gets in the way of us taking chances that have the potential to improve our lives.
Fear 1: "I don't know enough to teach my child"
Think about this: Do you feel that your educational preparation was so inadequate that you are unable to teach these "lower subjects" to your child? It's okay if you need a refresher course while teaching your own child - learning on the job is par for the course. However, if you feel that you've been ill-prepared to meet various academic challenges, is it reasonable to expect that sending your child to the same system that failed you will produce a different educational outcome for your child than you experienced? Probably not.
That takes some pressure off, doesn't it? You are not going to make things any worse.
Fear 2: "What if it doesn't work out?"
Homeschooling is not a forever decision-- it is best to take it year by year and adjust as your circumstances adjust. You always have the option to pursue other educational paths. What is the worst that could happen?
Let's say you decide to give homeschooling a trial-run for a year. Maybe it turns out to the best, most rewarding thing you have ever done for your family. Maybe you find out that homeschooling is not a viable option for your family at this time. OK! Now you know. Now you can pursue other educational opportunities without that "What if..." niggling in the back of your mind. Trial and error is a part of the educational process. You never know if something is going to work until you give it a try.
Failure is a possibility, but so is SUCCESS! Don't let fear hold you back from what could be one of the greatest decisions of your life.
You CAN do this!
The Secret
Pssst! Let us let you in on a secret: NO ONE feels qualified to homeschool.
There. Feel better? Less pressure? No matter your background, homeschooling will be unlike anything you have every done before, but that is also part of the fun. It is an opportunity to stretch yourself in new ways and learn new things. If you talk to any veteran homeschool family for a minute you will probably discover a recurring theme: You learn as you go. What worked today, may not, and probably won't, work tomorrow. Your home is not a static environment. It is filled with people and emotions and things and LIFE. The only way that you can do life is by DOING it. The only way that you learn patience is by practicing it. The way you fill educational voids is by being willing to learn new things (in fact, this what many parents report enjoying the most about homeschooling. Educating their children allows them to redeem their own educations). The only way to overcome failure is to try and to continue trying.
There is no homeschool magic bullet, no secret sauce, just a willingness to get up every day, show up for your kids in the best way that you know how, and to lean fully on the all-knowing, loving arms of Jesus. His grace is sufficient for all. All you have to do is step out in faith and try.
You CAN do this!
Testimonial
"I don't regret any moment of this journey."
Sheena's Testimonial
- Schooling system led me to homeschooling--also, COVID
- felt scared
- didn't know where to begin
- didn't know what a day of homeschool looked like
- through the leading of the Holy Spirit, God has given me the tools that I need every step of the way
- found reading materials
- there are many resources available to fill in the needs of whatever you are going through
- support of friends and family--there are a lot of resources out there for homeschoolers...more than I ever knew
- found reading materials
- it is difficult,
- transitioning from traditional school to homeschool was challenging
- finding our rhythm
- being flexible in our expectations of what school looks like
- needed to "unschool" myself
- Getting to know my kids--likes, dislikes, challenges, passions within the learning environment
- transitioning from traditional school to homeschool was challenging
- but the joys outweigh the hardships--it has transformed our entire family
- more connected
- more intentional with our children in the home in how we want to train them up in the ways of God
- family worships
- having the opportunity to build character
- having FUN with them
- flexibility for scheduling and "bad" days
- can individualize education to meet the needs of all my children
- "I'm glad I Listened to God's voice that was prompting me to take this chance, even though I was reluctant to make the transition. It has been a path of learning, joy, and happiness. I don't regret any moment of this journey."
Homeschooling Statistics
While many parents recognize the relational benefits of homeschooling, they still question how homeschoolers perform academically in comparison to their public school peers. However, parents can rest assured. Statistics bear out that the homeschooling model is a successful method of education, surpassing that of traditional public education.
Prosperity For All’s Homeschooling Statistics for 2023 show that:
- The percentage of homeschooled students is growing by 2% to 9% each year
- Over the recommended grade level for their age category, 25% of homeschooled children are enrolled in a higher grade
- No matter how educated their parents are, homeschooled students score between 80% and 90%
- Boys perform better on reading tests when educated at home as opposed to in public schools by a margin of 44%
- Students who attend homeschool outperform those who attend traditional schools in social, emotional, and psychological development, according to 87% of participant research
- Students who are homeschooled perform significantly better than their peers who attend formal institutions of education
- According to peer-reviewed studies, 69% of homeschooled students succeed in college and in life after high school
- Students who are homeschooled typically score above average on the ACT and SAT
- Regardless of the parent’s financial and educational status, homeschooled students consistently score 15% to 30% higher on these benchmark achievement tests than students enrolled in public schools
Saying "Yes" To the Great Homeschool Adventure
Discover how families all across American have said "yes" to this adventure.
“ Believe you can and you are half-way there. ” -Teddy Roosevelt
If you are still unsure about whether or not homeschooling is the right choice for you and your family, think about it this way: Why NOT homeschool? What is the worst that could happen? If you give it a go and you realize that it is just not for you, alternative traditional forms of education are always open to you.
However, if you are brave enough to say yes to this great adventure, imagine the possibilities. You have the opportunity to mold your children into God-loving, confident, self-directed, self-disciplined, capable, compassionate, intelligent, wise people with much to contribute to the world. That is a high and worthy calling.
You CAN do this!
