My friend Bob recently wrote a blog post about the G20 summit in London this week. He quoted some guy names Bernie Hogan, whom I’ve never heard of, and who apparently twittered: “power is not caring who’s listening.”
I love that.
We’re homeschooling Mary Judah for kindergarten this year, and I’m going to continue next year as well. I often don’t have a ready answer for why we’re doing this, and sometimes find myself at a loss for words when a stranger asks me why.
I am always so confident when telling people why we aren’t a part of the institutional church, or why I gave birth (twice!) naturally and without any drugs, and cloth-diapered, and nursed both of our kids for 2+ years without a drop of formula touching their lips (or for that matter, why in the world we would move to San Francisco!).
When it comes to telling people why we homeschool, I don’t have that same confidence. Joshua and I were talking about that a couple of weeks ago, and I was going through all the reasons why - even the ones I can’t articulate well, and even the uncertainties I feel in choosing to do so anyway, and I realized that it comes to this:
I believe children have power. I believe that society and most adults are afraid of the fact that children have power. I am homeschooling my children because I want to see them use their power to their full potential, and I don’t want it hidden or bullied out of them by a system that doesn’t believe they have any.
And saying that out loud is an affront to people. Other parents oftentimes take it personally when you choose to homeschool your children because they feel like it’s a reflection on them, except, like my blog is called, “it’s not about you.”
I don’t have to hesitate and inwardly cringe when people ask me where Mary Judah goes to school, because I don’t want to have the conversation that inevitably follows. I don’t have to defend our choice to anyone, or feel apologetic about our reasons. I need not concern myself with their opinion or answer their questions about whether my child will be “socialized” or if my child will respond to “authority.” I don’t have to worry whether their feelings might get hurt in case I don’t frame my answer carefully enough so as not offend their choices.
i will homeschool my children with power, and I want my kids to grow up aware of and using their inherent and God-given power. Realizing that, and being able to articulate that, makes me feel as if something that was locked up has been set free.
So if people want to ask, they might not want to hear the answer that follows. So yes, in that sense, power IS not caring who’s listening.
I homeschooled Bryce first and second grades - why? because of the unbelievable way he was handled in kindergarten. I have never regretted it. And that was about 25 years ago before they had the whole homeschool across america mindset. I did it alone and not in a group - I did it and ErinLeigh and Grant both benefited from it. They learned right along side of Bryce. It was a great time. I taught him math in the kitchen, and taught him how to wash clothes and we did all sorts of science and history… we lived in Ohio and then Connecticut at that time. I did always tell others that if they could do it any other way than do it that way - but for me, for my child, and for my standing before God knowing I had done what I believed right - well, homeschool for that time was the way. So - I’m so glad you have figured out why - now you will go with GUSTO!!!!! Hugs.
You’re going to love it. We have done it since day one and haven’t looked back. Eva starts 5th grade next year. Can you believe it? You’re going to do great.
I am still undecided about homeschooling, but right now I’m leaning toward public. Will you share why you decided on private preschool? Why not do preschool at home? Where did you learn about homeschool? Books you recommend, or sites?
Sorry for all the questions, but I just want to learn from where you’ve been.
Good questions, Tiff!
I wrote a blog post last March revealing that we were going to homeschool. I addressed a little bit why we were decided to homeschool, but most of the post was about a court decision that effectively prohibited homeschooling in California (that has since been rescinded). I had planned to write more posts, but didn’t. It was overwhelming, and I can be lazy.
Why we chose preschool is a topic that probably deserves its own blog post, so I’ll work on that for you, and hopefully answer all your questions!
Good for you! Glad you can articulate/summarize the driving force behind your passion for homeschooling. That, in itself, is empowering.
I support you wholeheartedly. And without any awkwardness, even as I never intend to homeschool ours. You GO girl!