What if

Now that I have been faced with the "what if" I can't homeschool legally in California, I have realized alot this week how much I would miss it. How much I would miss the time spent teaching my children. I enjoy seeing the light bulbs go on, the times we have learned math by baking, the fun of reading books together. I enjoy being with my kids. I would never trade the past year I have spent by their sides. I know God is in control of what is going on so I am not that worried. I also don't think the truancy officers can even tie their own shoes let alone come track all of us down. (Sorry I'm a little bitter)
All of this has caused me to think alot about homeschooling and why I do it. I teach my kids because there is so much I want them to learn in addition to straight academics. Yes, it is very important that they know how to do math equations, know the history of our country and know how to write proper sentences. But one of my main goals is for them to really have a love for learning itself. I myself had to learn this later on in life. When I was young in school I lost the desire to learn. I was bored and burnt out. I was their more for social reasons. Now I love to learn and I want to pass that on to my children.

I have learned so much since we started homeschooling in September. I have learned so much from teaching my kids. They can move at their own pace, redo things or go fast, it keeps the spark of learning in their lives. They never get burned out. Another thing I have found to help them is by allowing some leeway in their studies, I hope to spur a lifelong habit of learning about subjects that are of interest them. But the all-encompassing reason why I teach my kids is that I feel it is what God has called me to do.
I am so thankful the Lord has blessed me with the opportunity to shape their hearts at home.

I do not believe homeschooling is right for everyone, though I think people don't realize what they are missing out on when they send their kids off to school. God calls us as parents to do what is best for our children, whether it is sending them to public or private school, or homeschooling them. As long as my husband and I feel God is calling us to homeschool, I will continue to do so whether it means I have to move out of California!