Why We Are Home Educating Our Children

"Do you want to have weird kids!?". That was my friend's mom's response when she told her that she hopes to have a family of her own and homeschool her children. I think that is how exactly she perceives our kids, she was just nice enough to keep her opinion from us. A relative also told us that "it is not normal for kids to just stay home and not attend a regular school". I responded as respectfully as I could that "just because she doesn't fully understand how homeschooling works, doesn't mean it will ruin our kids". I thought if being “normal” means being conformed to the world, I don’t want our kids to be normal! (On a side note, we also get encouraging comments about homeschooling.)

I first learned about homeschooling 13 years ago. I used to attend a church in Manila where the very first seminar I joined was a Parenting Seminar. There, they discussed about homeschooling and it got my attention. It made an impact especially in my heart, a desire to someday (get married and) homeschool my kids. My darling husband knows from the time we started talking (not dating, since ours was a long-distance courting/relationship) that he needs to work harder since I was determined to stay at home and homeschool our kids.

Fast forward 11 years and Em is ready for Preschool! That was one of the most exciting days of my life! Praise God! He is truly gracious in granting me the desires of my heart. My darling husband and I sat together, talked and prayed about our vision in home educating our children. Here is the worksheet that helped us in our discussion. It is part of the series 10 Days of Homeschooling Enrichment. 

The following are the reasons why we educate our children at home:

1. We believe that as parents, we are the one who are primarily responsible in teaching our children.

"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as frontals on your forehead. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates." Deuteronomy 6:5-9

“Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.” Ephesians 6:4

It doesn't mean that we are cannot hire piano teachers and such, but we know that we are our children's main teacher. We understand that along the way, the lessons are going to be harder, our finances will be (more) limited, and it won’t be easy to be patient all the time. One thing we are sure about- that God's grace is sufficient in our weaknesses. Home educating will draw us more dependent on God- not only intellectually or financially, but more so spiritually.

1 Corinthians 15:33 says that “bad company corrupts good character”. Kids are easily influenced by their peers. If any thing, we would like to be the greatest influence in their lives. We desire to exemplify Christ and tell them “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 11:1).

2. We believe that the ultimate goal of education is to know God and become more like Christ.

"And that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work." 2 Timothy 3:15-17

 "but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." 2 Peter 2:18

Okay, it's not like we are doing Sunday School every single day. It just means that every subject (Math, Science, History, etc.) stems from the truth that God is the God over all. We will teach them what is in accordance to His Word because His Word is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction and for training in righteousness.

We know the importance of teaching them well academically, but we believe that the essence of homeschooling is character training- it is discipling our children into knowing Christ and becoming more like Him. We are going to take every opportunity to point them to Christ. It is not our goal to raise smart kids, we desire to raise up WISE kids who will love and honor Christ.

3. We believe that as parents, we need to equip our children to serve God, the church and the community. 

"And that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work." 2 Timothy 3:15-17

"Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven." Matthew 5:16

A college degree and a decent earning job would be nice, but that's not the end of it all. We desire for them to have their minds set on things above, not on earthly things. Lord willing, God will grant them salvation and with the power of His Word, they are well equipped for every good work. They need to be workers who are disciplined, trustworthy, hardworking and good stewards of God's resources- to serve and represent God in the work place (and at church and at home). We hope to raise humble servants, not self-indulged princesses and kings.

Our hearts desire and prayer for our children is to Grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ, to Glow in this dark world, and to Go and make disciples of all nations- all for the glory of God!


We would like to share Noah Webster's Definition of Education:

 

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