Homeschooling (it's what we do)

I know that the title might seem just a tad obvious but for me that one word, "homeschooling" was ridden with angst, pondering and much soul searching this past year.  When we first de-registered Benedict from the school system as a result of his ongoing medical needs, someone mentioned to me that, "homeschooling becomes a way of life" and my inward reply at the time was "not likely!"  You see I had every idea that he would eventually enter the "system" and in turn Pip would follow in his footsteps.


Over the course of these past few years, I've enquired about schooling for Benedict and in my darkest moments even threatened to send him to school when he's not doing what I want him to do!!  I'm a bit of a slow learner in this respect and God is ever patient with me, much more patient than I could ever hope to be with Benedict or Pip, but as time has gone on I've realised that learning in an efforced and regimented way just doesn't work.  The brain shuts down, the listener switches off and nothing is gained whatsoever. 

 This doesn't mean that I do not value education but it has to be from where the child is at and taking into consideration their own individual learning styles, strengths and weaknesses.   Education is not a one size fits all policy.  With this in mind an interesting milestone was by-passed this week, for you see I had until January 15th to register Pip for a school place starting in September.


  Throughout the course of the previous autumn term I vascillated between homeschooling and sending her to school and in the month of December I nearly drove myself mad trying to reach a conclusion.  It was only during the course of the Christmas break that I was able to truly "grasp the nettle" and wrangle with this concept and I realised that the Good Lord was only able to help me once I had placed my feet firmly on the intended ground:


"If any of you lacks wisdom , he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given unto him.  But when he asks he must believe and not doubt , because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.  That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord, for he is a double minded man and unstable in all he does."

James 1 v 5-8

Once the decision had been made a peace swept through me and a silence enveloped my being.  I know there will be difficult days, there always are!  God doesn't promise us freedom from adversity, what he does promise is that he will hold our hands through trials and tribulations.  We are never alone.

So here's to another year of letting go of preconceived notions and ideologies and embracing our family learning journey wherever that may lead:

Impromptu den building complete with a makeshift "campfire" consisting of a rolled up towel and flannel!  That boy sure has a whole heap of imagination!