From the moment that we had our first child, I firmly believed that a mother belonged at home, caring for her husband, her children, and her house. I allowed my conviction to be stolen away from me by a perceived financial need, giving up home schooling in order to take a job. I regret that I abandoned my garden of “olive plants around the table” and did not stay home to continue homeschooling our two daughters. I know now that children continue to need their mother at home, even as they grow into adulthood. And now I am discovering that our loving Father, the God of second chances, has given me another chance to home school. He has made it possible for me to “home school” my adult children by giving me the opportunity to advise and encourage them as they labor in their own “gardens.” Except for my husband, our daughters are my dearest friends now, and we share laughter and troubles, encouraging each other as we go about our daily tasks.

Giving advice only when we are asked (usually!) and checking with our daughters before we make purchases for them, my husband and I contribute what we can to making their home school experience more effective. I locate learning resources, provide guidance and mentoring, and become part of the “teaching team” when requested. Whenever possible, we purchase books, toys, and games for our daughters that will be part of a rich home-learning environment. I share my hard-earned wisdom about child-raising and teaching (Again, I try to do this only when asked!).

I have made frontiersman costumes and “coonskin caps” for the boys, which they have worn constantly, and I am sure I have many more costumes in my future that will provide hours of pretend play. I enjoy doing art projects with the children and going for “discovery” walks with them. I have been known to crawl around on the floor pretending to be a bear, join tea parties under the table, and gallop through the house on an imaginary horse.

Grandpa, with his incredible ability to spin a great cowboy yarn, has become a tremendous source of delight for the boys. Soon he will have to start dipping into his creative abilities to make up stories for the girls.

We often keep the children and allow our daughters to have a much-needed break. We have also made our home a “grandchildren’s house.” There are toys and games in the living room, art and cooking in the kitchen, puzzles and baby toys in the den, Lincoln Logs in the dining room, and books in every nook-and-cranny. The grandchildren love to run, jump, play, and read to their hearts’ content. Our house sits on several acres that provide plenty of running-around space. In fact, our greatest summer pleasure is sitting in the front porch swing, watching the children play.

If your grandchildren are being home schooled, they would be richly blessed by the special threads that only you can weave into the tapestry of their little lives. Your children, too, would be blessed by your encouragement and your help. If you do not live near your children, you can still be a part of their lives by purchasing books, art supplies, and learning tools.

If you are a home schooler and your parents are not able to help you, consider seeking out some “first generation” home schoolers who are willing to mentor you and come alongside to inspire and support you.

Titus 2:3-5 says, “Older women should be reverent and devout, as those engaged in sacred service … give good counsel and be teachers of what is right and noble, so that they will wisely train the young women to love their husbands and their children; to be sensible, pure, homemakers, kindhearted, subject to their own husbands that the word of God may not be dishonored.”

It truly is a sacred service to be available to counsel and encourage our grown daughters who are building their homes on the foundation of the Lord and raising precious olive plants in their own gardens.

The post Investing in the Next Generation appeared first on Texas Home School Coalition.

Our brother and sister-in-law, Alan and Beverly, have chosen to keep their four children in public school in a small town in Missouri. While they have not opted to home school their children, my sister and I have their wholehearted support in our efforts.

Our parents have become an integral part of the education process in our homes. When they express a fervent desire to spend a little time with their grandchildren during the school term, they are keenly aware that it will involve bringing books, lesson plans, and other supplies. They welcome this additional responsibility and relish the time spent together. While visiting my parents with my sister’s three oldest children, our boys have honed their music skills by forming a band and writing some of their own compositions. My son, Jason (15), and Melissa’s son, Stewart (16), both lead youth praise bands at their respective churches on Wednesday nights. Courtney, my 12-year-old, and her 13-year-old cousin, Amanda, also sing with the band and occasionally perform solos in church on Sunday mornings. My husband, Clay, once playfully packed up the drum set Jason had received from his grandparents for Christmas and sent it with the kids to Grandpa and Grandma’s house along with guitars, etc. Little did he know that revenge on my parents would birth a group of musicians. The girls also write scripts for plays and enact them for my parents and an occasional guest. Ten-year-old Clark helps with the band as well as the plays; he is just happy to be with family and have a part to play. Sixteen-year-old Bradley also serves both groups. He is an excellent writer of songs and plays. He is also a great mediator when any conflict rears its head.

During the summer, our parents take the ten oldest children for extended vacations. This time is traditionally called the Grandkids-R-Us vacation. Much planning and forethought is given to this time together. My parents research travel books and websites to determine possible vacation destinations. The information is then forwarded to the grandchildren via e-mail. After their research is concluded, a vote is taken to prioritize the choices. Through this process, computer skills as well as communication and organizational skills have been developed.

In recent years, much emphasis has been placed on historical sights. The kids have camped at Goliad State Park, where they rang the bell at the Mission Espiritu Santo de Zuniga, saw many artifacts on display in the museum, and learned from a park ranger how to start a fire with flint. They have also visited the George Ranch Historical Museum in Richmond, the Lone Star Flight Museum on Galveston Island, the Blue Bell Ice Cream factory, and the Monastery of St. Clare miniature horse farm in Brenham. Side trips to plays for young people by the AD (Anno Domini) Players in Houston have been on the agenda as well as a trip to see The Promise in Glen Rose.

When the children were young, my parents dressed them in matching shirts in order to keep track of them in crowds. Now creative and artistic skills are being developed as the young people design their own T-shirts for the trip. Once the designs and logos are complete and the sizes and colors chosen, my parents have the T-shirts made. More than once, someone has stopped the group to inquire about where to purchase a shirt like they were wearing.

Recently my parents moved from Texas to Pennsylvania, but the history lessons have not ended. This year my children have learned about the history of the railroad, portage canals, and even the Johnstown flood. They traveled back in time on an old, narrow gauge steam train and a turn-of-the-century trolley. They also visited the Hershey Candy Museum. (It is important to know what goes into your favorite candy!) They toured the Gettysburg Battlefield and saw the place where Abraham Lincoln stood to make his famous Gettysburg Address. On the way to Niagara Falls, they discovered a beautiful, old, covered bridge and even visited Gobbler’s Knob in Sportsman’s Park in Punxsutawney where the famous groundhog, Phil, either does or does not see his shadow each February 2nd.

With an occasional stop for a burger or pizza and a lot of ice cream, the educational process goes on. I can honestly say both the kids and the grandparents have learned a lot.

The post Multigenerational Home Schooling appeared first on Texas Home School Coalition.

My first year as a home schooling grandma was full of delightful surprises. My biggest fears were smothered by the unconditional love of my grandchildren for me, and I enjoyed the experience more than I ever dreamed.

The rationale for my decision to help home school three of my seven grandchildren was embraced nearly thirty years ago when I first learned about home schooling from a missionary friend who taught her own children at home. I would have loved to home school my daughters, but the best I could do was to eventually send them to Christian schools. Later, as a Christian bookstore owner, I offered home school curricula and resources to my customers. With very few exceptions, the home schooling families that patronized my store were the best salespeople for home schooling. Their children were courteous and articulate, and they loved to read. I enjoyed talking with their parents about their experiences.

Last year when my elder daughter, Kimberley, asked me to help her home school her daughter, Chelsey (8), along with her single sister’s Nikolas (7-1/2) and Leiah (6-1/2), I was primed for the opportunity. After all, the “Elder” (as she occasionally calls herself) was making a great offer to her sister, Tammi to educate her children at less-than-public-school-prices (considering all the weekly $2 here and $3 there for pizza and ice cream plus ubiquitous fundraisers), not to mention after-school care at no additional expense. Kimberly’s husband, Craig, and my own husband were both supportive but set limits on each of us because of other responsibilities.

I worried that if I became one of my grandchildren’s teachers, I would lose favor as an affectionate, fun-loving grandparent and that it would no longer be fun to come to Grandma’s house. I was also apprehensive that the rather freewheeling atmosphere of going to Grandma’s house the kids were accustomed to would not be conducive to settling down for schoolwork. In order to avoid this issue, when my students arrive in the morning, they must walk halfway around the house to come in the front door by the dining room/schoolroom. I greet them at the door with hugs and kisses; they put up their backpacks; then we have breakfast in the breakfast room, saving the dining room for class. At all other times, they come in through the garage to the back door. Given a choice, they still want to spend the night at Grandma’s house. Chelsey goes home with Nikolas and Leiah one night a week or spends it at my house. After some time had passed, Leiah said, “Grandma, you’re my favorite grandma.” Another fear was cast into outer darkness.

One of my big concerns was the children’s relationships with each other. Each of the three has a distinctly different personality and learning style. Chelsey is an only child, accustomed to a quiet environment. She has her own room; Nikolas and Leiah share a small one. Chelsey easily entertains herself; Nikolas and Leiah, only a year apart in age, are accustomed to playing together. Nikolas is closer in age and grade to Chelsey, but he and his sister both vie for her attention and mine. Chelsey can become overwhelmed with all this sensory and emotional input and, depending on her mood of the day, gets bossy or cranky. Leiah works hard to keep up with the older kids, academically and in every other respect, and is easily frustrated. Nikolas is a rambunctious boy who needs to be doing stuff. I envisioned free-for-alls with me right in the middle.

To my delight, however, these three are a case study in democracy. With the strongly Christ-centered character guidance fostered by home schooling, they manage to work things out among themselves. For example, if they draw a chore they do not like, they try to swap; that usually works. If they cannot agree on some issue, they figure out a system for settling it and then they stick with it. Oh sure, they negotiate, but they seem to have a big surprise agreement to abide by the decision-making process. Problems among them have been few and far between, and they are learning to enjoy helping each other.

They cooperate in other ways too. When it is time for recess, they cannot wait to get outside to their current project. Last year, they built Noah’s ark. They painted it too, but that is their grandpa’s story. They created a house in a corner of our one-acre yard under the branches of some overgrown photinia. This is a terrific place for feet-off-the-floor time or listening to our Bible lesson. They continually amaze me with their creativity and resourcefulness. When President Bush asked our nation’s children to send $1 each for children in Afghanistan, our kids set up a cold drink stand on the corner to earn some money. Like many other families, we used this opportunity for math, spelling, geography, planning, marketing, and character-building lessons. In just two afternoons, this enterprise earned about $15. We were all thrilled.

One thing I did not worry about was the academic challenge of home schooling. Kimberley did a great deal of research before choosing the classical approach to education, which I totally supported and knew I could teach based on my own foundation. Both of my daughters excel in language arts, but neither is fond of math. Sure, Grandma loved everything BUT language and would teach math, history, science, Bible, and music arts. I was happy to do so and to find ways to integrate it all and make it fun in the process. (Do you know the maximum time you can expand a marshmallow in the microwave before it starts to shrink and harden?) We modify our format as needed to meet the growing needs of our students, and each of them is doing remarkably well.

A totally unexpected benefit of our home schooling experience has been the lack of illness among us. Last year the kids shared a cold picked up from another child at church, but they only missed about a day each, remarkable considering that Chelsey has asthma. When they were in public school, I was the sick-day babysitter. It is a joy to be able to teach them in such a healthy environment.

Another unexpected occurrence has been the encouragement I have received from several quarters. One set of the kids’ great-grandparents is solidly in favor of our endeavor and has provided valuable resources, not the least of which is their presence at some of our events. We are blessed to have four generations involved in this effort. Kimberley and Craig’s church is very supportive of their numerous home schooling families, and more than a dozen children on Craig’s side of the family are home schooled. My Bible Study Fellowship leaders both last year and this are former educators and have been marvelously affirming, keeping me in their prayers. There is another set of grandparents in my church who occasionally assists with their home schooled grandchildren, and my pastor thinks of projects for the kids every now and then. They love to show off their Greek to him. My sister-in-law, who has taught in a classical Christian school, sent us a whole box of materials. Her daughter spent some of her vacation with us helping me teach, and she now helps with the transportation, too. This is truly an extended family home school.

The bottom line for home schoolers may not always be as easily defined as for those who endure all the standardized testing and the teaching thereto. I am constantly wondering if I am getting through to the kids. Are they really learning the most important lessons? That question was answered for our whole family by an incident at the end of school last spring. Nikolas bounded through the front door of his home in a hurry to find his Bible. “What’s the rush?” his mother asked. “Caleb doesn’t know much about God,” he said, “I’m going to help him learn some more.” Once Nikolas was back out the door, Tammi moved to the window where she could see and hear what was happening on the front steps. Nikolas sat down beside his friend, opened the Bible to Genesis 1:1, and said, “Let’s start at the beginning.” After a couple of quick, teary phone calls later to her sister and me, we were all rejoicing.

There is no room left in my heart or mind for fear or apprehension. Almost through our second year now, I am filled with the joy of being a part of my grandchildren’s lives as one of their home school teachers.

The post Home Schooling Grandma appeared first on Texas Home School Coalition.

In 1981 when we began home educating our sons, some families were taken to court, and others endured the rejection of parents who were convinced that their adult children had really lost all good sense. Even with the acceptance of home schooling in recent years, you may be facing criticism from friends and family – especially the grandparents.

Is it only an idealized dream that generations in a family can be united in the task of home educating children? Can there be unity rather than division in an extended family? How do we move from tension, division, or even hostility in the family to unity, joy, and a combined effort and support that draws family members closer together? No, it does not take a village to raise our children, but it is closer to God’s design when we link the generations for the task.

Where do we begin? The very nature of home education is revolutionary in our time. It is a different education option than immediate past generations have chosen. Grandparents need time to absorb the idea. The responsibility to bridge that gap begins with us as we gently and patiently educate them about why we have chosen this education lifestyle. Grandparents have legitimate questions and concerns, and it is our duty to respond to them with grace while giving them time to reconsider their position.

We have come far! “Is it legal?” is no longer the first question asked. Twenty years ago grandparents feared the legal ramifications for their children and grandchildren. Today there are other concerns, but we must keep in mind that parents never abandon their concern for their children’s welfare, no matter how old the children are. Do we not see that in our own parenting experience?

Let us explore some other questions that grandparents might ask. Underneath we can often see a deeper parental concern or even fear.

Why do my children want to do this crazy thing? Public (or private) school was fine for them. Why is it not for my grandchildren?

Grandparents could be asking, “Did I do something wrong?” If you have spent time criticizing the schools, your parents might feel that you are disappointed in your institutional schooling and that it is a reflection on their educational decisions for you. In the majority of cases, the schools supported them in their efforts to train you, and they often do not understand how much the school culture has changed since you were in school. Our responsibility is to guard our words when we are around the grandparents so that we do not unconsciously indict them for their past choices.

My child isn’t a professional teacher. How will he/she manage to teach everything my grandchildren need to know?

We have emerged from a generation that views “professionals” with the highest esteem. Learning was often equated with being taught by trained, certified professionals, so grandparents might not feel confident that you are capable. They often are not aware of the many resources available today. Invite them to a curriculum fair or a convention. Take them with you to a support group meeting when there is a special speaker. Show them the many good books available today on the different methods of home schooling or on curriculum selection. Ask them to teach a special group class for home schoolers. Get them involved in whatever way is practical. One home school mom I know invited her mother to come to her house once a week to help with the teaching. Let your parents know that you value what they know. If the grandparents are former schoolteachers, ask for their opinions when choosing curriculum, or at least ask some questions. Broaden your own horizons to find new and interesting material. In whatever way you graciously can, remind them that you did not learn all you needed to know by the end of high school and neither will their grandchildren. Higher education and life further teach them, and you are only laying the foundation.

My daughter or daughter-in-law already seems overburdened with the children. I worry that she cannot handle home teaching also.

Often this concern comes from pure motives, especially if parents see you struggling in your home school venture. Remember that no family is perfect and that everyone struggles in some area. Whenever possible, allow the grandparents to help on their terms rather than yours. It is difficult to deal with overcritical parents or in-laws, but God often uses this to reveal that our sense of worth is in our performance as a home school parent rather than in the Lord. If you struggle in the area of confidence, may I suggest a wonderful little book, We Would See Jesus by Roy Hession? It changed my outlook from viewing my life based on my performance to looking to Jesus for my security and confidence.

Will my grandchildren miss fun school things? Will they miss the prom?

The socialization question continues to rear its head in spite of our best efforts! Grandparents might really be asking if their grandchildren are destined to become social misfits. Time and excellent training of your children usually resolves their fears, but in the meantime, patiently show them that your children find fun in many activities that revolve around the family. Include the grandparents as much as you possibly can, and they will witness how your children can relate to all ages. Be involved in outside activities, but choose carefully based on what you believe will benefit your children long term. It is easy to fill our lives with too much activity because of pressure from others who think our children are missing out.

Will my grandchildren be able to get into college?

Grandparents want the best for their children and grandchildren. Share any material you have with them about home schoolers entering college. A book that is fun and encouraging for the entire family is Hot House Transplants compiled by Matt Duffy and written by various home school graduates who tell their own stories about life after home school – including college, jobs, and various ventures. Arrange for them to meet home school parents who have children entering or attending college.

The grandparents may have differences with you, but you can show them respect even so. Listen to their concerns without a defensive attitude. They may actually have some good suggestions! What they offer most likely comes from a desire for the best for you and your children, even if they do not express it well.

Above all, remember that God values relationships. He cares about your family and your relationship with the grandparents. The grandparent/child relationship is one that you, as parent, can nurture and protect. Pray for the grandparents and thank God for them in your children’s hearing. Model a grateful spirit by thanking God for the things that you were taught by your parents.

You may have heard it said that the home schooling movement is more than an education movement – it is a family restoration movement. How true! God will use our home education choice to mold us in each generation into the image of his Son. He will empower you to be the element of change for your generation reaching back to the generation before you and forward to your children.

Scripture references are from the NIV version.

The post Linking the Generations through Home Education appeared first on Texas Home School Coalition.

1. Who was the worst grandparent in the Bible?

2. Who was perhaps the best grandfather found in Scripture?

3. Which Biblical grandparent missed the cruise of a lifetime?

4. Which New Testament grandmother made a big difference?

The answer to number one is Athaliah. Her story is found in II Chronicles 22:10. What horrid thing did she do to qualify as “the worst grandparent in the Bible”? Consider. When a mother kills her own children, she commits infanticide. Athaliah committed grand infanticide, because she murdered her own grandchildren. Her motives were pure evil; she killed them and other relatives so she could reign as queen. Ugly, isn’t it? Grandparents are powerful people. They may not rule kingdoms, but they can strongly influence their grandchildren.

Deuteronomy 4:25 warns of the danger of grandparents leading their grandchildren astray. Those who are grandparents and those of us who hope to be grandparents should take this calling seriously. We must be sure that our children’s children are safe in their relationship with us.

Moving to question number two: this grandfather was awesome, yet you would likely never think of him. That is because he is not him but Hur. A grandfather at the time of the Exodus, Hur held up Moses’ hands so the Israelites could win a victory over the Amelekites (Exodus 17). A short time later he was said to be one of Moses’ primary assistants (Exodus 24:14). Large clans and lineages of faithfulness were established through his descendants (I Chronicles 2:50-54). His most famous offspring was his grandson, Bezalel, the master craftsman and construction foreman for the Tabernacle and its furnishings (Exodus 31:2-4). Bezalel must have been young at the time of the building of the Tabernacle, perhaps even in his late teen years. Yet he completed a major responsibility successfully because the Lord “filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability, and knowledge in all kinds of crafts.” The Bible shows the significance of this grandfather/grandson relationship by listing Hur’s name in five of the seven passages where Bezalel is named. The relationship was important to the Lord. Let us all pray that He places the same value on our grandchildren’s relationships with us.

The answer to question three is an oldie but perhaps not such a goodie. Methuselah is best known for having lived the longest life, 969 years. Wow! Do you know how he died, or when he died? He died the year of the flood; in fact, he may have died in the flood. His grandson built the ark to save mankind; however, the Bible says that only Noah was considered righteous (Genesis 6:9-12). Where was Grandfather Methuselah? He and the rest of mankind died; only his grandson, his great-grandchildren, and their wives were spared. Not only did he miss the cruise of a lifetime but he also missed something even more precious. He missed the fellowship and bonding that occurs when men work together to accomplish a great task. It could have been a wonderful story: grandfather and grandson working together to build an engineering marvel. Methuselah had a unique opportunity to have a wonderful impact on his great-grandchildren and generations of descendants. Unfortunately the opportunity was washed away. It is certain that we will not have as many years with our grandchildren as Methuselah did, but we can commit to using the time the Lord gives us to enrich their lives.

Our fourth and final answer is Lois, a Jewish grandmother who started a wonderful thing. First she believed, and faith went from her to her daughter, Eunice, then to her grandson, a young man named Timothy (II Timothy 1:5). Timothy was taught the Scriptures from childhood (II Timothy 3:15) and became one of the great teachers and preachers of the first century church (Acts 16:2-3). All of this happened without the support of his father who was a non-believing Greek (Acts 16:1). Yes, this godly grandmother made a difference. All grandparents can. They can help pick up the slack, especially when things are not as good as they could be or should be. My brother-in-law has to travel a lot with his job; his absence is very hard on his family. It is fortunate that he and my sister live very near my parents who fill in the gap for their grandchildren. No, the grandparents do not home school as effectively as my sister does. No, they do not perfectly substitute for a daddy who is gone, but they do make a difference. Those grandchildren are a testimony of what a grandparent can do. May the Lord show us our place in our children’s families and the difference we can make there.

My wife’s parents live one mile up the road from us. They made the decision to be near their grandchildren and us and moved to our neighborhood about five years ago. I must confess that I have always really liked them. I found it very easy to “fall in love” with their daughter because I liked them and respected them so very much. The depth of their relationship to the Lord, their values and convictions, their unwavering love, and their willingness to cheerfully help us out of a jam (Company is arriving in sixty minutes, and the house is a mess!) have been wonderful blessings in our lives. Our youngest children ride their bikes up the hill to “Dar and Da’s house” every chance they get, and our young adult sons go up there to play bridge with them. These two oldest children were even blessed to have a few years with their great-grandmother. When they were tiny, she would spend hours upon hours playing games like peek-a-boo with them. How much we would be missing if our family were only two generations deep!

Let us add another question to our list. Are grandparents ever told to home school their grandchildren? Check Deuteronomy 6:1-9 for the answer. The command to teach children to love the Lord with all of their heart, soul, and mind was spoken to parents and grandparents (verse 2). We know of some grandparents who have taken on the task of home schooling their grandchildren in the absence of a parent who would not or could not do it. May God bless these grandparents who are making a difference. Others assist by teaching children skills that time-starved parents would never get around to – important things like fishing, sewing, or cabinetmaking. A grandparent’s greatest contribution to the home school is the encouragement and totally biased support that is given to their children and grandchildren.

As these examples in the Bible show us, the influence of a grandparent can be great or small, good or evil. The decision is left to the grandparent. Some might think the decision is made late in life, but in fact, it must be made early-on, many years before the children are grown. Generally, as we grow older, we do not change; we simply become more of what we have been all along – more joyful, loving, and faithful; or more miserable, negative, and irritating. If you were twice as much yourself as you are now, what kind of grandparent would you be? What kind of difference will you make in the lives of your children’s children? May I suggest that you begin to consider your role? Observe; listen; take notes; think it through. If you do not have a parent who can mentor you in this, seek some assistance and find someone who can. If God is so gracious as to grant us grandchildren, we should meet these little ones with books and heirlooms, stories and pictures, faith and love in hand. Let us pray that God finds us willing lumps of clay who want to be molded into grandmothers and grandfathers who bless generations.

The post Grandparents Making a Difference appeared first on Texas Home School Coalition.

In 1990 I began following with interest a home school chat site on the Internet. Quite a few interesting discussions ensued over the years as I was faithfully reading the posts there. My curiosity was peaked. Might this home schooling thing be for us? After all, I was a young grandmother, and I had a teaching background and full support from my husband and my daughter (Joshua’s mom). So, why not? But why?

I admitted that I began the venture rather selfishly. After years of parent/teacher conferences, making sack lunches, rushing out to buy poster board the night before a project was due, I was simply tired. Even being the young grandmother that I am (Have I already mentioned that?), I just did not feel that I wanted to go through that whole experience again. Much easier, I thought, would be to keep Joshua home and just go about our lives adding some extra learning opportunities along the way.

The turning point for me came when I read the book, Homeschooling for Excellence by the Colfaxes. It was so impressive and sounded just perfect. The idea of unschooling appealed to me; it just seemed so natural. After a few months of trial and error with that philosophy, Joshua let me know that it was not going to work. I tried what all the books suggested but just kept hitting brick walls. I was having a ball doing the projects that I was supposed to leave lying around for him to discover, and he was having a ball watching me do them, but never once did he actually touch one.

Back to square one? Well, maybe not. The many things we tried were, in a way, an education in themselves. After all, discovering what the learning style is not is a start on the path to learning what it is.

Now, seven years later, do we have the perfect formula? Of course not. However, I feel it would be far from perfect if he were in school. What we do have is time, a wonderful relationship, communication, memories, and experiences that we hope are setting a foundation for Joshua to grow to be a godly young man. No one can ask or hope for more than that.

As far as our day goes, Joshua rises at 6:45 am (his choice) to work out daily at the local YMCA with a neighborhood home schooled friend. Our studies begin around 9:00. This year seventh grade brings a schedule of algebra ½, Bible study, spelling, English, science, Spanish, geography, and medieval history. Our course of study decision is made jointly, even as to what books will be used. We loosely follow The Well Trained Mind philosophy. We usually finish lessons by noon or soon after. In the afternoon, we might play Scrabble or chess, work on a puzzle, watch an historical movie, or go on a bike ride around the subdivision. Living in the country definitely has its plusses as far as quiet and wooded areas to explore.

A little later, the neighborhood home schooled friends begin to show up. Our phone is constantly ringing, as is our doorbell. The house is full of boys (no girls yet), and they stay busy all afternoon. If Joshua were socializing any more, we would not be able to handle it. We all look at each other rather sadly when we see the school bus drop the neighbor kids off in the late afternoon. They have had such a long, hard day, and we have been relaxing for a few hours by now. I jokingly look at the boys and tell them, “School’s officially out; you can start having fun now.”

Boy Scout merit badge work from adds new activities of all sorts as Joshua works toward earning the badges. He is a Star Scout and is working hard to attain Eagle rank next year. Don and I are both active in the troop and go on most of the monthly campouts, which have taken us as a family to Tennessee, Colorado, and all over Texas. There have been canoe trips, whitewater rafting, rock climbing, and in a couple of weeks, my first backpack trip (Wish me luck!). It is at Joshua’s request that we are active in his scout group, and home schooling allows us the extra time to do so. When the time comes that he no longer wants us this involved, we will quietly step aside.

Home schooling has allowed us the flexibility to take trips during the school year and to spend time together as a family. We were able to spend a week hiking and climbing mountains in Colorado with our younger daughter and her husband. Joshua has lots of time to spend with family members even though some live two states away. A couple of winters ago, Joshua, his mom, his brothers, and I went skiing in New Mexico during a time when everyone else was in school. We do not do any schoolwork during the month of December, so we have time to spend traveling, making gifts, going to holiday movies, baking cookies, reading Christmas stories, and not stressing.

Joshua and I have body-surfed waves together in Florida, learned some Japanese with our exchange student this summer, gone ice skating and scuba diving, and experienced multitudes of other exciting ventures. There is more time and money now than when we raised our girls, so we take full advantage of the opportunities that affords.

Are there downsides to home schooling a grandchild? Goodness, yes! I get tired, but I just take a nap; I worry about college costs once again; I wonder if a boy will be well-adjusted growing up in his grandma’s shadow; and the list goes on. What I do not have to worry or think about are the peer pressures at a local school and what goes on there. I know who he is with and what he is doing. I also am able to see him relate with some of the boys who attend school. We discuss why they might do some of the things they seem to think are fine that we do not. Putting it into perspective is the best I intend to do. Completely sheltering him would rob him of another valuable learning experience. He needs to learn how to handle certain situations and people, but it would be best learned in a home atmosphere.

Would I do this again? I know I would not want to have missed the long talks we have daily about anything and everything. It has been a rewarding journey that is not finished yet I probably would do it again. No, I definitely would but am hopeful that one of the girls will not ask!!!

And to think we might have been through…Perish the thought!!

The post … And We Thought We Were Through … appeared first on Texas Home School Coalition.

The end of this month, I will participate in the graduation of my last two students, just as I have participated in their education for the last sixteen years.  I look forward to that day with very mixed emotions.  I have participated in two other such graduations of my older two children, but this one will be different because it will be my last in which to be so involved.

A commencement exercise is called that because it marks not the end of the student’s education but the beginning of a new time in his life–a time when he begins to be responsible for his own education.  My twins have been homeschooled all their lives, but graduation marks the time when their formal education is no longer my responsibility.  Whether they go on to college, participate in an apprenticeship program, enter the work force, or begin to manage a home, they will keep on learning.  My husband and I have given them the tools, and God has given them the abilities they have.  It is up to them to carry on.

This graduation, however, does mark the end of one thing.  It marks the end of a lifestyle for me.  I have come to understand that being a home schooler is part of my identity.  I have often said that home schooling is the hardest thing for which I ever volunteered.  (That first year of having twins was harder, but I did not volunteer for that job; I was drafted.)  Because it is so hard, I look forward to the freedom allowed by no longer having to prepare, teach, grade, keep records, pray over what curriculum to use, etc.  I can now turn my attention to being a full-time homemaker, as I did so many years ago before I had these blessings called children.  I can do my own things now–things that have been put on hold all these years.  It is time for me to spend some time on myself.

Is it, though?  As I have sought the Lord for direction for my life after that important graduation day, I have been reminded of some lessons impressed upon me years ago.  When my children were small, I cried out to the Lord for help–for an older woman to help and encourage me when I was so overwhelmed with diapers, runny noses, spit-up, and the like.  I hoped for someone who could maybe come in once in a while and keep my children while I went shopping, even if it was just for groceries.  It would have been such an encouragement to have an older woman drink a cup of coffee with me and assure me that this stage would pass and that my children would grow up and become more self-sufficient.  I needed someone to tell me that I was on the right path with the approach we were taking in discipline or to encourage me to do better.  It seems to be a common problem in our society that our grandmothers and older women have gone out into the workforce either to make extra income or to find a meaningful job where they can be appreciated.  Even if these women stayed home with their children as they were growing up–perhaps even homeschooled them–it seems that they cannot wait to get on with their lives and make their mark on the world.

As I think back over those early days, I remember that I made a commitment to the Lord that, if I survived my children’s childhood days, I would follow His command in Titus 2:4-5.  There He tells the older women to encourage the younger women to be keepers of the home and to love their husbands and their children.  I have now entered into the “older woman” stage of my life.  I do not know it all, but I have been there and done that, so to speak. 

It has often been said that by the time you figure out how to be a parent, your job is over.  Maybe that is why God gave this command to older women.  God knew what a help it would be to have someone with years of experience to encourage a mother just starting out. This gives a woman the opportunity to use all that information she has collected over the years.  So maybe your job is not over yet.

People have asked me if I am going to homeschool others, especially my grandchildren.  My answer is always an unequivocal, “No!”  I have done my job where that is concerned.  However, I do believe that I have a responsibility to be involved in my grandchildren’s lives.  I do want to teach them things-just not phonics and math.  I want to read to them and help them develop an appreciation of good books.  I believe that it will be my responsibility to pray for them and to encourage them in the Lord.  I want to take them on trips and teach them about God’s creation firsthand.  I want to help my own children by doing things with their children that they will not have time to do while they are so busy with diapers, runny noses, spit-up, and the like. 

Who are the older women?  Are they just people like me who have finished with home schooling?  A mother who has homeschooled for five years is older than one who is just starting.  The age may not be as important as the experience that can be shared. 

It is my hope and prayer that, just as so many are catching the vision of taking full responsibility for their children’s education, many, too, will return to obeying God’s word in the area of encouraging the younger moms and the new home educators.  As Isaac Newton once said, “If I have been able to see so far, it is only because I have stood on the shoulders of giants.”  I am no giant, but if my children and other home school parents can take what I have learned and build on it, just imagine what the next generation can accomplish!

The post Passing the Torch appeared first on Texas Home School Coalition.