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Current Issue
2003
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The
Gifts of Homeschooling
by
Janie Bowman
One has only to glance at
the latest numbers to realize homeschooling is not a passing
phase. Homeschooling is here to stay. A few years ago, we had
difficulty purchasing curriculum programs from educational
publishers. Now, we have been discovered and are being pursued
as new consumers on the boardwalk. But is this how we should
define homeschooling: by our choice of curriculum? Or test
scores? Or the number of hours spent in a given topic?
I don't think so. Each family is unique, but we have gifts in
common. These gifts make us mentors and role models for others.
Let's explore these gifts briefly. As you continue reading, stop
and think what gifts your family possesses and share them with
others. . ..
The gift of time
Our world is experiencing an explosion
of information overload. What used to take days or weeks now
takes seconds. As time passes faster, the media and cultural
expectations erode our sense of grounding. We are encouraged to
over-schedule and live life at warp speed. As homeschoolers, we
can say "Stop! Slow down." We can learn to simplify our lives by
safeguarding our time and family space.
The gift of diversity
Public school advocates would have us
believe the only way to be exposed to people of other cultures
or with different beliefs is to sit all day in a classroom. (But
don't talk or walk over to your friend's desk because you might
be sent to the principal's office.) Homeschooled children are
encouraged to interact with each other and with the adults
around them, including grandparents. This is a natural extension
of their homeschooling lives as they grow to accept and
appreciate diversity naturally. What a great gift to pass on to
future generations!
The gift of interdependency
In my opinion, while public schools
focus on helping students become independent, homeschoolers tend
to focus on being inter-dependent. We don't live on an island.
We need other people, and other people need us.
The gift of breaking
dependency cycles
We have the
freedom to break the cycle of dependency we have on public
schools and the systems that feed into it. Homeschooling is an
educational choice that dilutes the power of public schooling by
helping others realize there is more than one way in which to
learn. When we break this dependency cycle, we look to our
families, instead of strangers, for nurture, love and
encouragement.
The gift of
childhood
Yes, even as adults, we can be kids
again. We can be spontaneous and free to learn right along with
our children. We can watch our children grow naturally according
to their own inner biological schedule, and we can give them
room to explore their true selves. Children are valued and
cherished, and their feelings and ideas are respected.
The gift of appropriate risk-taking
Appropriate risk-taking can challenge
our minds and our bodies and help us to be of service to others.
A few years ago, my husband and I attended the graduation
ceremonies at the Washington Homeschool Organization Homeschool
Conference in Tacoma. The numbers of young people who had
already completed missions or service projects, going into areas
of poverty and disease worldwide in order to help others
impressed us. Some became involved in ecological issues, helping
to save our environment. Taking the leap into homeschooling can
be a risk. This is uncharted territory for some families.
The gift of reclaiming your family
In my opinion, when we homeschool, we get to know our
children far better than if they're gone six to eight hours a
day. And without peer pressure, they get to know us better, too.
We learn what's important and what's not. My family no longer
spends precious evening hours pushing our children to finish
their homework. Our time is ours. We can play games, read or
talk with one another.
And the most important gift of homeschooling? We can change the
future, one child, and one family, at a time. |
