One of the reasons homeschoolers choose to homeschool is to have freedom to educate their children in the way that works best for their children and their family. There is no right or wrong way to homeschool. There are many different homeschooling philosophies and many differences in each one of those. We homeschoolers love the freedoms that homeschooling allows. So why is it that we are so judgemental when other homeschoolers don't do it our way?
It is one thing to offer your opinions or suggestions when asked. I love to look at what other homeschoolers are using for curriculum and what kind of schedule they go by. I love to read curriculum reviews and recommendations to see what works and why for different families. But, my homeschool is not going to look just like any one else's and just because you give advice doesn't mean they have to take it, or that it will work for them.
It made me very sad recently when I was reading a post from a young mother who is homeschooling for the first time. She was excited because of how nice it is that her children love working together. They were working together on the computer. One of the comments said something like, "So that's what you call homeschooling?" because she wasn't teaching them but letting them use the computer.
Another post I was reading was from a homeschooler that wondered what she should do about another homeschooling family she knew. The other family was not homeschooling "properly." They did not have a single textbook and all they did was go to the library and read books. There was no real teaching going on.
I'll never forget the look of shock on another homeschooler's face when I told them I did not use a curriculum for pre school, or make my high school student diagram sentences. There have been some that have said that if you don't subscribe to their learning philosophy that I am doing everything wrong. Whether you are classical or relaxed, use textbooks or living books, computers or textbook, we don't need to judge and be negative to each other. We enjoy the freedom that homeschooling gives us and need to understand that freedom applies to all homeschoolers. We don't need to judge each other and bring each other down, we need to encourage and build each other up. Homeschooling is hard and we face enough criticism from the world we don't need to be giving it to each other too.
For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. 1 Thess 5: 9-11
But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. Heb 3:13
Amen! I totally agree! I love looking to see what other homeschoolers do and try to always keep in mind that not everything may work for our family but I love it when a family finds what works for them!!
ReplyDeleteThank you for such a great reminder!!
Amen!!
ReplyDeleteI really needed to find this blog today, thank you for writing it, and posting it for the world. We have had a tough and unimaginable number of events happen in the last 12 months. Our son was born early, had an eye problem where he was blind for almost the first 6 months, he is still doing physical and occupational therpy weekly. My mother in laws health got worse, we take care of her full time, including giving here several shots a day, dr appts, etc.. My husband got in an accident, went to physical therpy for 5 months, the very day he went back to work on light duty, my dad had a major stroke, now we are caring for him as well. The judgement from others has been hard. We have taken a break from our consistent studies, and did very little schooling, while we deal with a family crisis. Everywhere we go, we hear what about their education, or should'nt you just put them in school. So we don't do schoolwork everyday, we try to do something everyday, if its just read a book. What my boys have learned from these events in our life, no curriculum or school could ever teach them. They learned about family, love, hope, and life. Thank you for your encouragement today. Debbie S
ReplyDeleteDebbie,
ReplyDeleteYou are so right that your children are learning even through all of the challenges you have faced. Don't be concerned with what others may think. Focus on your children and your family. The Lord will give you the strength you need to do all He needs you to do. My thoughts and prayers are with you.