I have been asked how I manage to homeschool in addition to being a mom to seven children, because it’s crazy to think that a mother wants to spend time teaching the children she birthed, apparently. My answer is usually something like, “You’d be surprised at what you can squeeze into a day”…
Homeschool Mom vs. School Teacher
One thing that helps is my own perspective and mentality. Which is that I believe that educating children is an extension of parenting, NOT separate from it.
I told my husband about a specific conversation about this and he said what I should have said was, “Oh, I’ve got it easy compared to public school teachers! They have twenty to thirty children to teach at one time, I only have seven!”.
My husband then went on to say that he doesn’t understand the thinking that a mom, being a mom, is so hard to believe.
Why is it so hard to believe that an adult woman is capable of raising & teaching several of her own children versus an adult woman teaching 20+ children who are virtual strangers at the start of each new school year? Who has the easier job?
While I would never claim that homeschooling – let alone parenting – is easy, I don’t think that it is as hard as some would think. When you become a parent, you aren’t ready (no matter how many parenting classes or books you might have utilized beforehand), but you give it your BEST and learn as you go.
Homeschooling actually works in the same way, except it is only academics you are dealing with … NOT the heart & soul of your child – which is where parenting comes into play. So, if you can handle the depths of parenting, you CAN handle the journey of educating.
Something to think about:
Why is it normal nowadays to expect a public school teacher to teach 20 plus children of the same age, to do the exact same thing, at the exact same time, in the confines of one room, over the course of several hours a day, without the time or resources to customize the curriculum or develop a relationship with the child… (not mention, is that even healthy for the child?)
Yet, it is abnormal for a mama to teach just 7 (or 12, for that matter!) children, of whom she gave birth to and knows intimately, of various ages, with different talents, over the course of 12-hours / 24-hours / an entire childhood/lifetime!?
Doesn’t that seem backward??
Why is it so hard for people to accept motherhood as a full-time career – that includes teaching academics and is worthy of passion and dedication??
No, it’s NOT easy… it takes organizing, managing, prioritizing, and so much more… and only by the good grace of God are we capable, but it is worth it! I promise!
Well said!! I couldn't agree more!!! 🙂
Thanks Elisa!
Yes, it IS well worth it. We just have to keep our focus. It is a sacrifice that some of us mother's take on and sometimes it IS a path trod with tears…but life is like that no matter what choices we make. I think us home school mother's don't give ourselves enough credit though. Because in todays world we are expected to teach SO much more than God expects of us. At least I have found that I try to cover all my bases when home schooling so that I teach my kids what God wants them to know and what the state requires also. I'm praying about "letting go"…again…
I just don't understand why home schooling mother's are often criticized for sacrificing their "freedom/me time to stay home and give their kids the best that they can…why does everyone find that offensive???
EVERY child deserves an individualized education, and the ONLY place they can get it is with their parents. When my daughter's hit College level, both had Professor's tell them that they needed to thank their parents for the gift we gave them by homeschooling. For me, being a Mom means to ensure their education. Hands down some institution serving 15-40 other children and teaching with only 1 method? Equals a less then ideal education. Both mine did spend a couple years in Public School. Both will tell you that though they learned a lot about their "peers" they learned 10 times more at "home" in the less restrictive environment. It cost us less to homeschool. Their SAT scores were better. Their days gentler. Their time to learn and explore were joyful. Our family richer all the way around. You are doing such a great thing for your kids and setting the right example for all. Life is our family. 🙂
Yes! Life is our family, family is our life!!
Well said!
Thank you!
As a mother if 7 myself, I totally agree with you. We are home schooling as well and are finding it to be much better for our children because we know what they need and what motivates them, individually. We are able to focus on them much better than a teacher with 20 to 30 students in one classroom can. We are able to spend one on one time with them and cater to their style of learning. I am not against public school; however, I am for more parents being more hands on where their children's education is concerned.
Exactly!
I am a mom of 2 children. My daughter, 26, will be getting married this summer. She went to public school K-12, was a straight A student and valedictorian of her class. School was fun, there was no teaching to the test, no Common Core. There were field trips, and really cool projects like building a race car, choosing by which means it would run, wind power, battery, rocket power. I also have a son, 18 who did public school K-5. From the get-go, I felt like he was the square peg everyone was trying to fit into a round hole. In 4th grade his bus driver called me to tell me that he was being bullied on the bus. She assured me that she had written up the bullies and warned them not to do it again. In 5th grade the bullies were at it again. After many mtgs with the principal we realized she wasn’t going to advocate for him, we took him out of school at the the year’s end. I began to homeschool him in 6th grade. I never thought I would do it but I know it was the best decision we made.
Yes, some children do well in public school and others do better at home. Thankful for the freedom to choose!
I think you have said what needs to be said in a wonderful way. Especially right now when we have so many parents falling down and almost worshipping their children’s teachers. The heartache that parents are so unfamiliar with their own children that they are literally uncomfortable with them speaks volumes.
At the same time, I am encouraged by the numbers that are realizing how they CAN teach their own children. I am very thankful for that!