As a long time homeschooler, I think I pretty much heard all the reasons people have for choosing to homeschool. But I believe in our hearts we also secretly hoped to raise perfect children. Realistically, we would all acknowledge that's not possible, but in a teeny, tiny, dark, shadowy corner of our hearts there was a wish, a belief that through homeschooling our children could dodge the bullet of sinful choices.
It doesn't happen that way. I lived in the homeschooling community long enough to see the fall out.
We thought we could raise brilliant, well-educated, ivy league students, but I've witnessed too many poorly educated homeschoolers who would have received a better education in the worst run public school.
We thought our children would stay pure, but I've seen out of wedlock pregnancies and battles with pornography.
We thought we would raise model citizens, but homeschoolers have become juvenile delinquents too.
We thought we could teach kindness, compassion and loving behavior and have it become an integral part of our children's nature, but some became mockers and bullies.
We thought we could develop a legacy of generation upon generation of strong Christians, but some have turned their backs on their God and their family.
We thought our children would have strong marriages, but they are getting divorced just as quickly as anyone else.
The illusion printed on the covers of homeschooling magazines of large families in matching clothes all playing stringed instruments and becoming pastors and missionaries was just that, an illusion. The reality is that we are sinners and so are our children. Even if we did everything right, there's no guarantee that our children would be perfect, in fact it's impossible. All any parent can hope to do, no matter how they choose to educate their children, is raise them the best they can and keep on praying.
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I am not a homeschooler but Amen to all of that, beautiful
ReplyDeletethese words are powerful ... yet bittersweet ... yet hope-filled
ReplyDeleteAnd, thankfully, He's not done yet.
Yup, totally true. The dream, the image, the hope, fades as it dawns on us our children are sinners, too - just like us. How did I ever think that imperfect me could have perfect children?! Well, the homeschool journey is still worth it, still full of rich moments, still full of hard work and commitment, still a path to understanding our children and ourselves. Still a path to show us how much we all - parents and children, need the Lord.
ReplyDeleteAnd I'll add to Maureen's post--we get to wrestle with those sin issues on a daily basis. We don't really want to--but we continually train and train. It's better than not training and not persevering. The social consequences of not training our children are all around us. I just read an interesting article on the father's importance in the discipleship of young men. We can't give up! In due season we shall reap if we faint not.
ReplyDeleteexcellent point. we can just do the best we can with what we know at the time. Ultimately, kids make their own choices, not matter how they are raised. And YES, prayer is the best defense. :-)
ReplyDelete