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Why we decided to home educate our children:

Home schooling our children was something we had always had a desire to do, even before we were married. But, it wasn’t until recently that we have really thought of why we wanted to home school. I mean, we have to have a really good reason to do it, right? Well, we’ve given it much thought and have come up with many reasons why home schooling is right for our family.

1. The Bible models it, so it’s good! - Scripture talks about parents instructing their children (Dt. 6:7, Ps 78:5 are just a couple of many examples). We believe that God has instituted the family to be the primary place of instruction. As parents we are responsible for the entire well-being of our children being developed and nurtured. The Bible demonstrates the “Hebrew method” of instruction, which means that instruction is a relational and experiential aspect (between God and man, father and son, disciple and pupil). The opposite of this is the “Greek method” of instruction, which public and private schools have modeled since their inception (group of children given instruction by one teacher – little relational or experiential aspect). Some people term the Hebrew method as Biblical Worldview and the Greek as Secular Worldview.
   
2. Academic excellence - We can teach each child according to their learning style (or “bent”). Every child learns differently, and in a home setting we can teach each child in the way that they learn the best. We can pace the learning appropriately (if we need to review a topic more than once, we can. If we can move on to the next thing, we will). We have control as to what we teach our children, and there are a lot of excellent material and resources readily available for all ages, levels and subjects.
   
3. Positive socialization - Socialization is an area that most people are concerned about when considering home schooling, but in fact, it is one of the most positive benefits of home schooling. Our children aren’t learning to relate with just their peers (same age group), but with children of all ages, babies to teenagers, as well as with adults. This is a realistic way of how the world operates. As adults, we have to deal with people of all ages, not just our age group. As parents, we are the primary teachers and do not have to worry about what our children are learning from their peers. Our children become dependent on us, and not their peers. They have a better self-esteem and do not have negative peer pressure. Also, we have control as to who our children interact with.
   
4. Stronger family - When we decided to home school, we’ve also learned (by discovery) that we made the commitment to have open communication, work together and work through tough issues and whatever else life throws our way (e.g., adopting a child). Our children have to learn to get along with each other and, Lord willing, they will have a strong relationship with each other into their adult lives.
   
5. Flexibility - We have the ability to control when, where and how we teach. We work around our family schedule and have a great time traveling to places during the “off seasons” when there are no crowds (and lower rates!). Even our travels and outings provide educational opportunities for our children.

So, Lord willing, we will home educate our children for as long as possible – even through high school. There may come a time when they will go to public or private school (it would have to be for a really good reason). But we know that for now, home schooling is the best, especially when our children are young and very “moldable”.

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