My School Choice: Homeschool by Rebecca Ingram Powell
Homeschooling is not for everyone. After 14 years spent in home education, I believe it is a calling, and not everyone is called to homeschool. For instance, my dad, a pastor, would never tell others that they should be preachers too. That is his calling. He knows it is not for everyone. My mom was called to teach in the public school, and her career spanned several decades. She loved it, but she didn't think that everyone else should teach school. It was her calling. Whether your calling is dentistry, homemaking, fire fighting, or counseling, nothing but that is going to work for you. Homeschooling has worked for my family because I knew that it was what I was supposed to do. I felt the Lord calling me to be a homeschooling mom when I just 8 years old! I was home from school for a "snow day." I loved being at home because we were all together. On this particular snow day I decided to tally the number of hours each week that I spent in school, the number of hours I spent sleeping, and the number of hours I actually had at home. Even at 8 years old, I didn't like the way those numbers added up. I know it may sound really strange to some of you (maybe all of you!), but I believe the seed for homeschooling was planted in my heart that day.
Fast-forward nearly 10 years (1985). This time, I was a high school senior, at home with a bad case of "senior-itis." LOL! I was watching The Phil Donahue Show, and Phil's guests that day were David and Micki Colfax. The Colfaxes had garnered national attention for their outrageous decision to homeschool their four boys. They had written a book about their home education experience, and the proof was in the pudding: Their sons had all been accepted into Ivy League schools. Impressive! The seed settled into fertile soil.
Less than two years later, I was working my summer job at the mall, and I met a mom who was homeschooling her two children. They were different, yes, but it was a difference to which I felt drawn. The mom was peaceful; the children were well-behaved and courteous. I wanted that for my future family.
At that point, the seed in my heart began to take root. As the Lord often does when He calls, He confirmed my journey every step of the way, from a husband who was always devoted to this method of education, to friends who had been called as well. As we waded in, curriculum choices surfaced that were a perfect fit for my children’s needs. And when the challenge of high school came along, the Lord provided tutorial programs that gave my students the benefit of learning from teachers who were experts in their respective fields.
Oh, and the question I was asked about a bazillion times in the early days, What about socialization? Well, my kids have had friends, played on sports teams, and been active in their church and community. These days we are often asked, What about college? We’ve only graduated one so far, but she was awarded a merit scholarship to the university of her dreams, where she’ll be attending this fall.
I do not believe that homeschooling is the right fit for every family. But if it is the right fit for yours, and if you feel the Lord is calling you to make this decision, then I encourage you to honor Him with your obedience. I will tell you from my own experience that I have no regrets. The lessons I have taught my children are irreplaceable, the value of possessing a Christian worldview is immeasurable, and the years that have flown by are irreversible.
Rebecca Ingram Powell is the author of Season of Change: Parenting Your Middle Schooler with Passion and Purpose. Read more about Rebecca’s homeschooling journey on her blog: www.MomSeriously.com.
