"I could never do that"

As a homeschool mom there are several responses that I get when I tell people that we homeschool. The responses range from "Cool", to "I wish I could do that", to "I never could do that." My response to any of those generally has been, "we enjoy it", or "it fits our lifestyle." However, secretly I have always felt bad for the children of those who respond with "I could never do that." The implication (or the out right statement) is that they (usually a mom) could not spend all day everyday with their kids. These are usually the same moms who dread summer vacation or rejoice when school starts again in the fall.

I point these things out not to say that I am better than them. On the contrary, I point these things out to say I don't homeschool because I have super powers or super patience. I point these things out to say that it is only God's grace in my life that enables me to homeschool.

We homeschool because it is an conviction from God's Word that it is the best way to disciple, train, and educate children. Yes, there are other benefits... my older two can know and enjoy Little Brother. If they were gone all day they wouldn't really be a part of his life. My older two are going to Washington DC soon with Grandma and Grandpa and participating in a drama camp that occurs during our local district's spring break. We spent some time with Grandma and Grandpa last week and are looking forward to time with other Grandparents in April. They would not necessarily have as close intergenerational relationships without homeschooling.

But my point is I am not super mom. I don't have a cape or super powers. Sometimes I want time alone. Sometimes I raise my voice to my kids. Sometimes they make me want to bang my head against the wall. Most of the time I can't get everything done. My house is not always clean, my garden is not always weeded, and our yard would never make it on the cover of a magazine. I am not perfect and I will not be until eternity. I only have my children for a short time. I want to enjoy them. I want to have a relationship with them. I want to know what is going on their lives. I want them to love learning (not dread school). Most importantly I want them to love the Lord and desire to live for Him. That is why we homeschool.

We sang a hymn in church this morning that sums it up well, "And now, let the weak say I am strong. Let the poor say I am rich, because of what the Lord has done, for us."

And if you are one of those who has said, "I wish I could do that," I will be the first to encourage you and say you can, with God's grace, you can.