Encouragement

Our local support group, H.E.A.R.T. (Home Education And Responsible Teaching) holds monthly meetings to encourage, inform, and connect those who are looking into homeschool or already homeschooling.  However, for years, one of my favorite meetings is the one held in January. It is during this month’s meeting that a panel of home school graduates is brought before our membership and they share how their post-homeschool life is going whether they are in college, seeking a trade, or embarked on another path.  They candidly share the good, the bad, and the ugly of how homeschooling affected their current path. This meeting has always served as an encouragement at the perfect time of the year. It was held last night, and once again, I was encouraged.  Thank you to these young men and ladies for your willingness to share.

A topic that really stood out to me last night was the different curricula and teaching methods that were used with the different students who shared last night.  I am very familiar with that since I have four children, and they are all very different in their learning styles, talents, gifts, and bents. While they have similarities and have been able to use some of the same curricula, they are also different enough that I had to use different methods and materials with each of them, and I’m so glad I had the opportunity to tailor their education to what was best and most beneficial to them.

Among other benefits, homeschooling has allowed students the flexibility to explore areas of interest and seek apprenticeship and internship opportunities because their school hours are their own.  These opportunities have led students to rethink or solidify the choice of whatever career they were exploring.

I love the fact that among other opportunities these kids had, they took the opportunity to serve.  They served their families by taking care of elderly grandparents, helping out with younger siblings, and they helped by participating in mission trips to other parts of the world.  

Opportunities to play sports in college was also mentioned.  This subject deserves a post of its own which will be coming soon, so please subscribe to get the updates!

I’d like to close with this.  I love, love, love and appreciate the fact that our H.E.A.R.T. president, Christina, stated, “This group is not anti-public school or anti-private school.  This group is pro-homeschool.” I truly believe that H.E.A.R.T. strives to support, encourage, and connect those of us who are choosing homeschooling as our path for educating our children and never put other methods down.  I love this because I personally do not think homeschooling is for everyone and the best choice for everyone. I do believe wholeheartedly that homeschooling is what is best for our family right now and has been for the last 19 years.  I honestly believe that this is clearly what the Lord has asked our family to do. I don’t know what the future holds, but I do know who holds the future, and I’ve learned to never say, “I will never…” Homeschooling has been the most challenging and difficult job I’ve ever faced, BUT GOD!  All good things are hard work and worth all the effort and challenges they bring. The blessings well surpass the challenges. I pray you are encouraged by this, whichever decision you choose for your child’s education.

In His grace,

Fabi