Sunday, we were having lunch with Christopher Lytle, the Revolution Bellflower pastor, and he descovered we were, "Homeschool... uh... uh... homeschool... um..." Wanting to help him as he groped for the right word, I said, "Freaks. We're homeschool freaks. I believe that's the word you are looking for."
Turns out he was trying to say "Your'e a homeschool family."
No matter. It's amazing how many time "homeschool" is followed by "freak". I think what's actually going on is that some kids who homeschool are socially awkward. This is because, not being beat up mentally by their peers everyday, they tend to be themselves and enjoy the hobbies that most interest them. So, some homeschooled kids have not been formed and molded into being "cool" and altering their values and opinions to fit in.
Who cares? Part of the beauty and value of homeschooling is that kids can be whoever they want without fear of being ostracized. They can follow their interests without the pressure to be into "cool" things like inappropriate music, t.v., fashion or early sexualization.
Now I'm rambling.
The point is that I am excited to be homeschooling. I'm getting ready for next year already because I am so jazzed by what we are going to be doing. I'm already thinking about high school even though it is two and a half years away. The options are overwhelming, so I need to start losing sleep NOW!
Today reinforced my joy in homeschooling.
Chandler is studying poetry and this week focused on Psalms, so she's been reading them all week. Today she was instructed to write one of her own.
Here it is:
I am amazed;
because God’s generosity.
I am grateful;
because the Lord my God has given me love.
I am faithful;
because Jesus will never leave me.
I am filled with gratitude;
because the King of Kings has given me life.
I am happy;
because the Lord is waiting in heaven for me.
I am thankful;
for my Heavenly Father has forgiven me.
I am patiently waiting;
because my Savior will be here soon.
I am appreciative;
because Jesus died for me.
I am joyful;
because I know God is with me.
I am celebrating;
because of the awesome things He did.
I am excited;
because I’ll see Jesus in heaven some day.
I am speechless;
because of his great power.
I am glad;
because my Savior loves me no matter what.
I am in awe;
because the Lord has given me so much.
I am inspired;
to be as much as I can like my Messiah.
I am blessed;
because He has reserved a place in His heart for me.
This really touched my heart.
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10 comments:
Wow...that was pretty amazing for an adult let alone a kid. Thanks for sharing.
But I have to be honest, I don't really buy all of your homeshool thoughts. Your kids are not at all socially awkward cause you've done a great job of teaching them well there as parents and giving them great opportunities to be with other students. But I have met enough overly sheltered homeschooled kids that were socially awkward not because they were just themselves, in my humble opinion.
That was really amazing - A big Amen to her poetry!!! Great job! I hope you gave her an A mom!!
P.S. Per your request I did more than "lurk" this time!!! :-)
Some kids are just weird kids... Some kids fit right in and are comfortable in their skins... I think homeschooling could accentuate the difference. Kids who are already socially awkward find themselves not being peer-presured out of it. Kids who are confident and comfortable become more self-sufficient and mature because they are not daily beat into submission and made to conform.
Wow, amazing from my first grandchild. Thanks for posting this.
Dad
"Part of the beauty and value of homeschooling is that kids can be whoever they want without fear of being ostracized."
This is so true. Children at public school are taught what is important largely by other children.
Michelle,
Thank you for your home school pioneering spirit :)
I love that you love it and God bless Tim for making it happen!
Some hubbys are so obsessed with having new toys that they would never dream of letting their wives quit their jobs to stay home!
God is Good!
We are loving home school too & are really learning so much more than book work. Thanx for letting me into your home to check out your stuff & philosophy it was an encouragement to me.
Cheryl Schultze & Haley too!
I feel special that I made your blog...and I would never call you a freak.
Except that you are insulting those of us who don't choose to home school. My kids are themselves. They don't get bullied, they would rather ride the bus than me take them. They have great friends from great families. They pursue their own hobbies and yes, they are even quite weird. The world hasn't changed them because they know who they are in Christ and we parent our children.
I'm very tired of blogs like this and my home school friends with snippy "oh pardon me" attitudes. If you're happy with your choice, be happy with your choice. I am.
My name is Karen Webster and I'm choosing anonymous because I don't want to open an account. Yes I did go to public school and no I'm not too stupid to know what anonymous means. I'm not a coward, I just don't want to get on some email list by opening an account.
Karen, I'm genuinely sorry you felt insulted. That was not my intention, but I'm glad you found this post and commented.
I have too many friends that don't homeschool to believe that kids cannot be pure and true to themselves without homeschooling. It's just that in my experience, it is more likely with a child not daily pressed into a pre-determined mold by their peers. It's certainly not all homeschooled kids that flourish in their freedom, many still succumb to the overwhelming pressure in our society to fit in. It's not all traditionally schooled kids that succumb and abandon their true identity.
I am so pleased to hear that you and your family are doing well and growing strong in your faith. I'm sorry that my ramblings hurt you.
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