Wanna Be a Steader!

Four Reasons to Homeschool Through High School

Luke 6:40 -- "A student is not above his teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher."  [Jesus speaking]

When people find out that we are in our 15th year of homeschooling and they realize that, having homeschooled that long that we are bound to have graduated at least one, they often say something like, "Oh, I could NEVER homeschool in the high school years!  We'll probably send ours kids back to public school when they reach that age." 

YIKES!  That scares me to death!  I usually ask them, "WHY would you want to destroy everything you've poured your life into for that?  It's not as hard as you think."  Many times, sports is the issue.  There are homeschool sports teams that would welcome your students with open arms!  If not, start your own.

So, just in case you're interested, here are 4 reasons that immediately popped into my head when I was recently approached with this issue once again: 

1) As I share when I speak - I could see the writing on the wall way back in 1978, when I was 19, and my niece entered public school. The rocket-fire-quick change in her personality and the terrible way she began to relate to familiy caused me to make a promise to myself that when I had my kids, if there were EVER a way (having never heard of homeschooling) that I would do all I could to keep my kids at home and be the primary influence in their lives, then I was going to do it.

2) I went through far too much to HAVE my kids. Having lost our first daughter at 3 months from SIDS and having 2 miscarriages between her and our next daughter, I couldn't see giving them to strangers to raise.  Why would I want to give up 24,000+ hours of their most influential, most productive childhood and teen years to let someone else...that I don't even know, who wouldn't have their best interest at heart, who probably has some liberal agenda, who can't give them the time and attention I can and...who doesn't LOVE them...be the major influences of my children?! After all, Jesus warned us that a student WILL be like his teacher.  (Luke 6:40)   

3) These high school years are the best! Quite frankly, I hardly do any "teaching" anymore, unless it's a completely new concept or we are diving much deeper into the subject...I give the assignments, the tests, grade their papers - but they do quite a lot by themselves.  Learning to learn on their own prepares them for college (if that's in their future) and for life in general.  Teaching them to learn, letting them research things for themselves, is one of the best, most useful lessons they can experience. 

4)  But more than that, they are SO much fun! I love being around my teen girls. I LOVE being the person that they come to when they need an adult to confide in or ask advice about "girly" things. I love the adoring relationship they have with my husband. And THIS is the best place to teach them to be women of God and keepers of their homes.  This is FAR less likely to happen if they are peer dependent, as so many public/private school teens are.  In a school setting, the teachers are not their only "teachers"...it's the blind leading the blind.  "Leave them; they are blind guides.  If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit."  (Words of Jesus; Matt. 15:14 ~ emphasis mine) 

I love my kids and wouldn't give up this time with them for ANYTHING but heaven!

Blessings from Ohio, Kim Wolf<><

Thanks for sharing...

12:18, 2007-Nov-13 .. Posted by mominpa

I was one who when I started...said.. We'll go till 8th grade...then re-asses the situation....

After only 1st grade...I couldn't imagine turning them over to the system...we are having fun already...!!

Thanks for you post..very encouraging!!

hello!

12:27, 2007-Nov-13 .. Posted by Anonymous

This is our second year of homeschooling our girls. We brought our oldest home when she started the 7th grade. I do wish we would have started when they were younger but God has given us this special time.

I agree I would never send by "homeschooled child " to high school (Yuck) I could tell you many sad stories I have heared. (sad)

I have a question for you what about college? We have friends that homeschooled their children the whole time and now are sending them into the world of college and they are struggling with the worldly views. What are you planning on for their extended education?

Blessings,

Ma

Dear Ma...

02:12, 2007-Nov-13 .. Posted by wannabeone

Our oldest daughter homeschooled from K - 12 and graduated in '06. She has been taking this time to work and get involved in a couple of ministries at our church. She has been taking a few courses at the Thomas Bilney Theological Seminary (with me) to get a little deeper understanding of Bible history; but this isn't what she's making her "true" study...

This Spring she will be taking a couple of "general" classes at a local community college - she wants to major in Marketing Design and be a children's author/illustrator. If (IF) the community college is too liberal, or whatever, she will either take classes from a Christian on-line college or possible go to Cedarville University, which is about an hour from us.

Personally, I think she will eventually opt for the on-line courses b/c she really likes her part-time job.

Thanks for asking.

Blessings from Ohio, Kim Wolf<><