I went to the doctor today 'cuz I'm not feeling well. Since I'm a stay-at-homeschool Dad, I had both kids with me. Yeah - try being a SAHP when you're sick! Not easy to do! Anyway, the doctor asked me why my oldest wasn't in school. I explained that we were homeschooling. The doctor said, "That's great. Why are you doing that?" Well, I began to analyze the situation.

At first, when Nichole was born, we determined that somehow we were going to homeschool. Both Kerense and I went to public school and were bored 'cuz they taught to the slowest kids in the class and let the others fend for themselves. That means 75% of the class is left out so 25% can catch up.

But as we came to know Christ, we began to learn that there are other reasons to homeschool. The most important being the verse above, although in my case, substitute "she" for "he" ;)

In school, even in private school, there are kids there who are simply put there for academics by parents who could really care less about their kids. Their are kids in my neighborhood who know unhealthy details about sex, drugs and booze. These kids learn about it at home, movies or from older kids at school. They then spread this knowledge to other kids, like mine. I remember hearing a joke about nuns and a rubber from a peer at school when I was in the second grade. He thought it was hilarious, though his idea of 'rubbers' were the rain shoes you put over your sneakers. The joke was not referring to rain shoes.

In school, even in private school, adults and children challenge the faith of Christians. Islam is off-limits; so is Buddhism. But Judaism and Christianity are cannon-fodder for scoffers. And adults will not hesitate to trip up the faith of a child. My children are not ready to defend their faith at this point in their lives. They must have a firm foundation before being sent into the storm of the real world. Yes, I allow them to play unsupervised at friend's houses. Yes, I allow them to play with other kids, when we're out and about. But they must be protected from daily attacks upon their fledgeling faith.

I like what the Amplified Bible inserted from Ephesians 6:4 and 2 Timothy 3:15 about gifts and talents. Train a child to use their gifts for Christ. We are doing that as well. Nichole has displayed a great deal of musical and art-interpretive talent. I am focusing on music, teaching her to sing and play a recorder. My wife is focusing on her arts and crafts skills. Kristen is very analytical. At six months old, she was analyzing her toys to see why things moved.

I urge each of you to train your children in the ways of Christ, whether they are in school or homeschooled. Mentor other children in your neighborhood or church. Take advantage of every opportunity to teach them about the Creator who loves them. Live the life God wants you to live. Be an example.

Pray for your children also. Pray daily - or several times a day. Pray that they will grow in faith and love. Pray that they will not depart from God's way. Pray that they will maintain a child-like faith through all of life's challenges.

Love them as God loves you. Love them when they do wrong. Love them when they are grumpy. Love them through their entire lives. Show them that you are the one to whom they can turn when they have problems. Show them how God is so they will trust Him as well.

Thanks for that Clay....it's been a rough few days with Andie, I needed to read that....

Tis a rough life out there. I've been astonished with what my (almost) 8 year old brings home! Homeschooling has crossed my mind many a time....but....there's always that "but".

Exactly why we chose to homeschool....Its tough right now. with a three year old constatnly interfering, but...maybe when they are all older it will be easier...

I have a sil who homeschooled her 6 kids...they're all older and it's not all that easier from when they were younger. I probably wouldn't do it anyway. :dunno: