Weekend Edition~My child does not want to be Homeschooled!

In the fall of 2012 we began our official homeschooling journey. Even though as any homeschool parent will tell you, your actual journey begins the moment of conception, you are teaching them from literally the womb. How you and your spouse speak to each other, they hear that, they learn that. When they are born, how you care and love them, read to them, sing to them, show them the world. They are learning! But, back to what I was saying, it was the fall of 2012, and it was legally in our state, time for our oldest, Lela, to begin school.

At the time, I had Belle who was 2, and RJ just turning 1, and Lela 6 years old. I was so overwhelmed at the time, I almost caved and enrolled Lela in public school. I even went to the local Public School to enroll her. But, I didn't have all the information they needed, like proof of address and such and they said I must come back with those things to enroll her. When I told my husband, he said absolutely not. We agreed we would homeschool and that is what we are going to do!

So I said, you are right! And so I quickly changed lanes and put into motion our homeschooling journey!

At first some family members, nearly lost their minds. Even though we had always said, from the start we were going to homeschool. And they made Lela feel very very bad about homeschooling. Telling her all kinds of lies, like she would never be able to be a doctor, or what she wanted to be when she grew up, if she homeschooled. Which is just simply not true, let alone completely out of their rights to try to be subversive to our authority as parents. So Lela was very sad, and upset about homeschooling. She wanted to go to school where it would be FUN!

Right away, I got ourselves involved in local homeschool co-op. It was not a Jehovah's Witness one. It was one for any one who wanted to join. And, literally the day after the family fit. There was a back to "school" party put on by one of the local homeschool groups. It was during the summer Olympics, so they decided to have a Olympic themed party. Every one brought a dish from a different country. Lela was so proud we were bringing Jollof-a rice curry dish from Ghana. And each parent was hosting a different Olympic like sport that the children could do, there was trike races, javelin throwing, all kinds of fun neat, simple games. All the children got a medal at the end. And it was all around fun.

However, the part about the Olympic back to school party that will always stick out in my mind the most. We were not even up to the party location yet, but still walking across the parking lot, when another dad came up to us, and was welcoming us to the party. He asked Lela a question. I can not remember what the question was. It may of been, are you ready to start school this year? Most likely looking back that was probably the question. But, I remember clearly, Lela hanging her head, and saying, yeah, but I'm homeschooled.With a sad, pitiful pout. And then the dad, smiled really big, and said, That's ok, I'm pretty sure every one here is homeschooled!  And Lela raised her head, and had a huge smile on her face, and said, Really? And he said yup, pretty sure! And that was that. She has never mentioned being sad or upset about being homeschooled since.

I'm not saying every day of homeschool has been kittens and rainbows. But, what I am saying, is from that point on we really have not had any other problems with asking about going to public school. We threw ourselves into the homeschooling community. We go to any field trips and events we can. Especially with other witnesses. Which along the way we have met a LOT of fellow Witnesses who homeschool. And it's not came up any more. In fact now, four years later. She BEGS me to talk other moms into homeschooling. So their kids can have more fun like she does, instead of being tied down so many hours at school and then homework too! She feels sorry for those in public school having to have sooo many hours of schooling. When we are done in literally a couple of hours. And she gets to have the rest of her day free to learn about and play and do pretty much most the things she would like!

My advice is, do not forget YOU are the parent. You are the only one who knows what is best for your children. no one else. Especially not the child! A child only knows, what they know, they can not know what they do not know. And their life experience is very very small compared to your own. And you are their parent for a reason, to make the best choices for them, til they are mature enough to make safe and wise choices for themselves. So yes, they are going to be influenced by what others are saying, and by the sheer ignorance of not knowing what it will be like to homeschool. Do not let that deter you. Find local homeschoolers, show your children that there is others out there who are homeschooling and love it, and make homeschooling fun! Make learning fun! Do not close yourself off and seclude yourself. Get out there with others. Also do not forsake the gathering of yourselves together. Make sure to get out in field service too. Any one in the congregation will be awesome to be in service with. Maybe they will get a spiritual set of grandparents who will love going out in service with them weekly. And if you can, maybe even once a month, with other homeschoolers. But, that part is not a need... that would just be a bonus. Friends can come in any age range. Some of my best friends as a child was the elderly sisters who took me in service with them. Don't let your children miss out on one of those special friendships! They can be very rich, and spiritually rewarding for a life time. Know that with time, you are making the best choices for your children, and Jehovah gave you these children to care for. And you will do fine! You are equipped!