Let the Homeschooling Begin!

It's official! We have bought our first complete set of home school material! Wyatt will be starting his first year of school {Kindergarten} this fall! We went with A Beka's complete K5 curriculum after hours of research and reading reviews. The hardest part was decided which curriculum to go with. The is an OCEAN of options. Very overwhelming. What helped was knowing two other families who used the curriculum and loved it. I am both anxious and excited about the idea of homeschooling and even a little afraid and uncertain of my own abilities. However, "I can do all things through Him {Christ} who strengthens me!" Philippians 4:13

I have flip flopped so many times with the decision to home school.  It is a big decision and one we don't take lightly. There are several reasons that we came to this decision and reflects only what we feel is best for OUR family. Certainly I would encourage everyone to consider it, because I do think it is best, but that is for everyone to decide for themselves. And if you don't home school you will get no judgement here.

At some point we will send our kids to public school. But, before we do we want to give them a solid foundation based on our values and principles. That way when they do go to public school they will not waiver on their beliefs. Deuteronomy 6:6-7 These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up."

We believe it is important that they do go to public school at some point for a couple reasons. We should be salt and light. We shouldn't hide it, but affect others in a way that may bring others to Him. Matthew 5:13 You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown away and trampled by men." We should show others what it is like to live for Christ. We are to be a "light of the world" Matthew 5:14. Matthew 5:16 says, "Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in Heaven." Public schools are nearly empty of God. We can change that. We also know they will need to learn how to live a godly life in a fallen world. They will need to learn how to handle temptations and prepare themselves for what the world will throw them.

The benefits of homeschooling are numerous:

Flexibility in schedule
Set our own pace
More family time
More time for creative play
Save money on gas from drop off and pick-ups from school
Focus more on individual needs
Get to enjoy your kids at their best times
Can work on behavior more effectively
More time to focus on eliminating bad habits 
Family's get more sleep 
Don't loose valuable time because of travel to and from school
Instill your family values and principles
Know exactly what your children are being taught because your are their teacher

I still have doubts whether or not I am equipped to teach our kids. It is a huge responsibility. I have had incredible support from family and friends which has been an enormous help, and I know God will lead us through and guide us. I have also ordered our curriculum early enough to allow myself time to go over everything and prepare myself. By the time fall gets here, we'll be all set to go. Let the homeschooling begin!