Everybody Homeschools

I am not a person who thinks everyone should "officially" homeschool their kids.  That would be an arrogant and divisive position to take, and frankly, I had a great public school experience and I know many kids do.  The beauty is that we still have rights as parents to make decisions about our children.  Besides, my favorite quote from the sage grandfather of my friend, who sat at the head of the dinner table one night listening to his adult grandchildren debate homeschool v. public school v. Christian school said, "I have one thing to say on the subject.  You ALL homeschool no matter where your kids spend their days.  Do it well."

As I enter my 9th year of the beloved responsibility of teaching my kids at home, I admittedly am encouraged by the substantial list of successful people who were homeschooled. http://www.homeschoolacademy.com/famoushomeschoolers.htm  Not because I think my kids need to be famous someday, for I do not equate success with fame.  Many of the people listed were taught at home by highly qualified tutors, not by moms and dads who entered into the endeavor with fear and trembling, feeling unqualified and nagged with doubts.

I would not do this if I did not feel called by God.  If I could look you in the eye and say, "I'm not created and called to do this," then I wouldn't.  But I've been given everything I need, day by day like portioned manna, to accomplish this task.  I battle inner demons on a regular basis...pride, envy, comparisons, and the list goes on.  I pour countless hours and tremendous dollars analyzing and purchasing curriculum, creating spaces and schedules, estimating strengths and weaknesses of myself and each child, and praying for favor and balance.  And in the end, my kids are just kids, I am just a mom, Dave is just a dad, and God is still God, putting it all in eternal perspective:  this world is not our home, this body is just a tent, and everything will turn to dust.  (Can you tell I've been reading Ecclesiastes?!)


And so, quite simply, I wake up each day and hug my kids and kiss my husband and love my Lord and make music and read wonderful stories and grow things and be grateful and laugh and run and occasionally trip and fall and get back up. 


Artistic post-script...


I recently discovered that two of my favorite contemporary artists/entertainers were homeschooled.  Tim Hawkins is a brilliant comedian, with the facial elasticity of Jim Carrey, the parody-writing talent of Weird Al, and the wholesome wit of Bill Cosby.  Just type Tim Hawkins in a YouTube search and get ready to belly laugh.  Every now and then, he will poke fun at his homeschool experience.  Here are a couple of links:


Adam's Family parody called "The Homeschool Family" by Tim Hawkins
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VM6uqj0_jQc

Comedy routine called "Restaurants"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z427iKrXPvE


My new favorite singer/songwriter is Audrey Assad, and I just found out this morning that she was homeschooled.  The girl knows how to use poetic language and unique melody to create an enduring moment, and her voice is a cross between Karen Carpenter and Sarah McLaughlin, with brilliant power in her upper range.  I am unashamedly jealous of her pipes.  Here is one of her best songs:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3moGYtZxDwA&feature=fvsr