Why We Homeschool? {Day 22}

I'll raise my right hand here at the get-go and confess up front that for most of my life I have been guilty of judging the entire idea of homeschooling. It didn't help matters any when Jeremy and I attended our very first home school convention in Indianapolis in 2008 and saw one particular momma-hen walking around in her denim jumper wearing a fanny pack that held her knitting supplies so that she could keep stitchin' while her brood (of stereotypically socially maladjusted children) trailed behind in a single-file line. Incredibly, that encounter didn't sway me nearly as much as the overwhelming evidence that, contrary to my presuppositions, Momma Hen was now the minority-- everyone else, well, we seemed to have an awfully lot in common. We left that convention excited-- and maybe a bit overwhelmed-- to begin our homeschooling journey.

When Peyton was four, we began doing "school" at home. I ordered a much-too-robust preschool curriculum, so we pared that down and threw in a few other resources that I really liked, and 1-2-3 our homeschooling journey began.

Fast forward to our move to Texas in May 2010. Peyton was on the cusp of Kindergarten when we learned about a little school run by YWAM (Youth With A Mission). We prayed about what do to-- and I labored over the decision all summer long, but ultimately we felt like sending him there for a year was the right move for our family. And we are soooo glad that we did! It was a phenomenal year.

So, you ask, "Why are we even discussing homeschooling again if you adored Peyton's school?" (FYI, I'm sitting here with my seam ripper and a sewing project alternating between typing and ripping...maybe I AM one of those "weird" homeschooling families after all. YIPES!)

Well, the answer is simple: It's just what we feel is the very best fit for our family at this season in our lives. We aren't opposed to private schools-- and we aren't opposed to public schools. For Jeremy and I, we just want the best fit for each member of our family during each season that we walk through. Different seasons may well bring different schooling options. But for now, we're about to dive into 1st grade and preschool at the Smith house this year. Thankfully, the Lord has surrounded this decision with the sweetest peace that I've felt in quite a while. I'm thankful to have the opportunity to spend this season with them (and I was thankful for the season of someone else pouring into Peyton last year).

As we gear up for the next school year, I'll post more about our curriculum choices, projects that we tackle, how in the world I'm going to organize our home school/family/work priorities, etc. It'll be fun to keep track of it all on here.

Can you believe that it's almost time for school again?! Yeah, me neither! What are your school year plans?

And for your amusement...what homeschooling post would be complete without this?