It is 4 a.m.; I cannot sleep. I begin to pray, as I do each morning. I look out my bedroom window and see the shadows in the night. I cannot quite make out what is before me; I am still sleepy. The trees that fill our property seem to be walking during this dawning experience. The branches hang low. However, underneath these branches I see a herd of deer—what a lovely sight!

I try to count them, although my vision is still not clear. I finally decide there are nearly ten of them, quietly nibbling on the grass that was softened by last night’s storm. As I gaze out my bedroom window, my favorite book, which I hold in my hand, falls to the floor. The sound disturbs their quiet meal, and they run off into the woods on the north side of our property.

As I continue my gaze, many thoughts flood my mind. I begin to think about my children—now older and more independent: Eric, Jr., who serves as a sergeant in the Army; Lawrence, who is in music school at a local college; Candace, who is studying to be a doctor; Candra, with aspirations of becoming a public relations director; and Victoria, whom I am still homeschooling.

When my husband and I were training our children, we were careful to teach them about their relationship with God. Scripture says that His sheep hear His voice. As I pondered this verse, I wanted very much for that to be true for my children. I wanted to train them to hear the voice of their Heavenly Father and also of their earthly parents. I knew that, as they discovered more of this world, they needed to be more sensitive to the Voice of good and excellent things. I knew that I had to be more tender toward my Creator so that I could be equipped to train my children.

This is the reason I rise early each morning. The morning is quiet. It is gentle and inviting. It is still. I wanted to hear from my Father about the right way to train and teach my children. So I asked for His insight and wisdom, and He instructed me in several ways.

Train them to know Me (God). Knowing God is essential. As our children’s foundation is built on our Creator, nothing is too difficult. No challenge is too complicated; no problem is impossible. The Bible is full of promises for successful childrearing: peace, discernment/judgment, wisdom, righteousness … These are fruits of our Father’s heritage. Children need someone to love and worship. Let it be God.
Train them to know that your heart will always be turned toward them. The hearts of the parents should be turned toward the child forever, and the heart of the child will continually reach toward the parents. This is a great truth filled with divine strength. Each year as we prayed about our home school project for the next year, we had a family meeting.

As a mother, I nursed and nurtured my children for protection and for closeness. This action was important for the children. It taught them to be family-minded and to stay close to the training of their parents. It reinforced the reason their training was important. I paid, and continue to pay, close attention to my children. I wanted my activities and interests to be limited so that I could give my young children what they needed during their formative years. Until our children were strong enough and firmly grounded, my husband and I knew that we were the protectors of our tender family.

As I think about the whitetail deer that populate our property, I am reminded of how close they are and why they move together. As our children grew older, we established strong connections with them before they were exposed to other people. Then we exposed them to good and fine people whom we thought would benefit them as they grew. My Heavenly Father taught me to value the old, good friends of my parents. This lesson was quite useful to me as I became an adult; this was what I wanted for my children. Now that we have done our part thus far, I look forward to seeing them continue to seek out the heroes of nobility, the heroes of faith, who defend truth and justice, heroes who love family and virtue.

The deer also remind me to be gentle with my children. Sometimes, as mothers, it seems as if we are carrying the load: the teaching, the training, etc. But our Heavenly Father knew this as well. He has equipped us with more than we need to do our jobs. Our strength is from Him. He gives us joy when our children are born and energy to nurture them in His way. Sometimes, as women, we try to force things. Let us do away with this negative energy. Let us focus on gentleness, graciousness, and our love for our families. This is the positive force that will change not only your family but also the world. This kind of traditional training is natural and suitable for children; it is truly in the children’s best interest.

Train them to be disciplined. Discipline strengthens children. It is good for their minds and bodies. It keeps them steady and centered. It provides an unmovable posture of which young children in this generation need more so that they can carry the torch.
Train them to be focused. A family whose core values are intimacy, prayer, and wisdom knows that godliness is priceless. Training children to be focused keeps them centered on the vision of their Creator and on the family’s value system.
Train them to be joyful. These days, joy must be taught. It must be possessed. It must be a priority. Many negative thoughts flood our youths’ minds; of this we have daily proof. Joy must be shared from a biblical perspective. Children should be inspired to do some tasks joyfully and without complaining. They will enjoy the benefits of joy: strength, endurance, and everlasting delight. Our children must realize that, as they listen and respect the counsel of their parents, they will then experience joie de vivre, the highest joy.
Train them to be honorable. Tell them that sharp and quick obedience is a deposit in their future. Impress on their hearts that good will and long life are consequences of obedience, and that honor belongs to them for doing well.

As I think about the herd of deer that graces our property and how their sense of hearing is so sharp and sensitive, I pray that my children will continue to know their Shepherd’s voice and the “holler” of their mother. When I was a little girl playing with neighborhood friends across the street from my house, I could hear my mother hollering for me. I could hear several things in this call: Where are you? What are you doing? It is time to come home—now. This is what I desire for my children, a listening ear.

In the midst of so much ungodliness, I boldly pray for all of our children that God would keep them from the evil that is in this world, understanding that some have been cheated in our present-day learning institutions. The Scriptures indicate that we cannot put new wine into old wineskins. Our children’s minds are new and open to creative things. Like fine wine, learning is premium—no more quick educational shortcuts! On to higher learning! We owe our heritage to the Creator, from whom great love evolves generation after generation. Learning should be slow and deliberate. Learning in God’s Word yields success. Nowadays, it should not happen any other way!

Sidebar:
When my husband Eric and I started National Black Home Educators (NBHE) in 2000, we had a vision for family. Our target group was African-American families, because many did not know that home schooling was a viable option for them. There were many myths mixed with this great home schooling movement that inhibited blacks from choosing this more excellent way of teaching children. Eric and I are always looking at opportunities and challenges from a different point of view, because we know what it takes to teach successfully and to turn passionate learning into great results. No one likes to be held to a low standard, and is not a fine education all about individuality and originality? It must be!
Now that our organization is seven years old, we have seen home education grow exponentially in the black community. I have homeschooled since 1989, and some of the same challenges I saw then, many black families face now: lack of acceptance, very little ethnic curriculum, sports, support groups, finances, etc.
The National Black Home Educators’ vision is to empower parents to educate their children for excellence by mentoring parents and training them. We believe that today’s black families can prepare tomorrow’s exceptional leaders through home schooling. NBHE provides encouragement, information, networking, and resources to enable families to realize this vision. NBHE is a service organization that is open to anyone who adheres to our vision. All are welcome, regardless of religious belief, political persuasion, or ethnic background. We seek to connect with other like-minded organizations in order to further provide resources to our families.

Eric and Joyce have homeschooled for nearly 18 years. They have served in leadership in the Louisiana state home school organization and founded the National Black Home Educators. The Burgeses travel nationally to speak about the family dynamic, and Joyce is the author of a new book entitled, Teach Me How To Teach My Child – Creating an Atmosphere of Learning for our Children – available at www.nbhe.net.

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I remember one Vacation Bible School when my class was singing “Jesus Loves the Little Children;” we got to the part of the song that said “Red and Yellow, BLACK AND WHITE,” and my oldest son jumped to his feet and proudly proclaimed “That’s ME!” I remember smiling as I saw his first glimpses of truly understanding his bi-racial heritage.  I have a unique place as a mother of bi-racial children.  I work hard to make sure they embrace their multicultural heritage.  I do not think there has ever been a time in history, such as exists now, that has been so significant in the harmonious blending of the two cultures represented in my marriage.

Politically, we have seen a growing grassroots movement of conservative minorities.  We have seen people of color, such as Condoleezza Rice and Colin Powell, appointed to high government positions.  We can honestly tell our children that their attainment of those positions had nothing to do with affirmative action but rather with hard work, good education, and the determination to do something meaningful with their lives.

Historically, the role models are endless: Harriet Tubman, George Washington Carver, Martin Luther King, Jr., and myriads of others.  The deepest heritage I long for my children to know is how their mom (a descendant of Jefferson Davis) and their father (a descendant of slaves in Mississippi, where his family received the surname of Irons), through time and the grace of God, were able to come together in a free America and build a family.  Another bit of trivia that we found interesting as we were getting married was that my maid of honor was a descendant of slave owners in Mississippi at the same time my husband’s family was in captivity in Mississippi. We were never able to determine whether there was a possible link there. We just found that an interesting bit of information.   Here we stand, over a century later, sharing the best of times and being the best of friends … all from descendants of the Confederacy — a slave owner and slave family.

I will forever remember my favorite hero of black history—one you may never have heard about.  My husband’s father is JC Irons.  He is one of the wisest men I know.  I sometimes get the feeling that he has absorbed all the wisdom Solomon ever offered … and then some. Some may think that impossible of a man who has only a third grade education, but his life experience and determination to make a greater future for his wife and their fourteen children is a treasure to our collection of family heirlooms.

He lives by simple convictions — trust God and be kind to your fellow man … and do not argue with Momma!  He knows adversity. He has a strong and sure faith in Christ.  He took the cards that were dealt him and played the game until he WON.  He took the skills he had in construction and built his own company from the ground up.  He took his third grade addition and subtraction skills and learned to keep a payroll and budget. He had the grace of God, hard work, and determination to see his children do better than himself.  So far, nine of his fourteen children have attended college and are currently working in professional positions.  He has a passion to see his kids do better than he did.

I recently overheard my oldest son tell his father that he wanted to be the first black President of the United States.  My husband said, “No.  I want to be the first black President of the United States — I expect you to do greater!” The possibilities are endless.  As a mother raising bi-racial children, I see that their black heritage is rich and their future strong!

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Texas Home School Coalition© May 7, 2002

Definition of Home Education – education in the home; a one-on-one tutorial method of training/teaching; an atmosphere of learning; a home based education

Who Can Home Educate – parents who are committed to educating their children at home because of their personal choice that this is the best thing to do for their child/children.

The following are what I see as the Five Ps of Home Education.

Parenting

Adults with children should not be afraid to parent. You have been given an opportunity to train, teach, and nurture young lives—to monitor the influences in your child’s life, to help your child explore new creative interests, and to help develop confidence. As parents, you are qualified to teach your children. Simply being their parent and wanting the very best for them qualifies you.

Patience

Giving time to a worthwhile endeavor always requires patience. Home schooling is no different. This effort entails commitment, dedication and sacrifice. However, the long-term seeds of influence that you are sowing into the mind of a child will prove a good investment. You are giving one-on-one attention. This requires eye contact—you have the chance to see to whom you are speaking and how you are making a difference. As your child sees your example, he/she will in turn give you a return on that in which you have invested your time.

Preparation/Planning

When thinking about your teaching tools, consider: what you want to teach your child, why you want to teach your child, and when you want education to take place.

Choose a curriculum

When choosing a curriculum, consider the difference between a good teacher and a great teacher. A good teacher follows the guides exactly and checks the child’s lessons to be sure of accuracy according to the teacher keys. A great teacher is guided by her heart and the connection with the child. She develops a course of study suitable for that particular child, tailoring the education to the specific needs of that child. The following terms and partial explanations are based on information from the Christian Liberty Academy catalog.
Traditional textbooks approach employs textbooks and tests from publishers such as A BEKA, Bob Jones, and Saxon Math.
Work texts combine textbook information with exercises in consumable, write-in workbooks. Such curricula are provided by Alpha Omega, School of Tomorrow, and Rod & Staff, to name a few. (Rod and Staff supplies both consumable and non-consumable curriculum publications.)
Classical Approach emphasizes that children progress from memorization of facts and development of learning skills to advanced logical reasoning and expressive use of language. Critical thinking and analysis are involved in this process as well. A study of Shakespeare, classical books such as the Jane Austen series, the works of C.S. Lewis, and narrative studies of Frederick Douglass and Sojourner Truth may be incorporated with this method.
Unit Studies use theme-centered modules that integrate information from several subjects, such as studying the Renaissance Period, the Solar System, birds, or classical music.
Books and Life Experiences can be rich sources of training materials. Other than the basic teaching, much learning comes through reading good literature and nonfiction books and normal, everyday activities with parental guidance supplement study and give it perspective. Some suggested books can be found in Books Children Love by Elizabeth Wilson and Honey for a Child’s Heart by Gladys Hunt. These books will assist you with some excellent titles from which to choose.

Develop a Course of Study / Lesson Plans

In your planning, consider the following: the ages of your children, the subject matter being taught, the number of children that you are teaching, the learning styles your children find most effective, and the varying abilities or special needs of your children.

Hire Special Tutors

Tutors can be valuable resources. There may come a time when you have to engage a tutor for subjects such as math, music, sciences, foreign language, etc. This can be a good thing because you are still the primary educator. You will simply be overseeing/monitoring another person should this become an option for you.

Institute a Schedule

A schedule is determined based upon a consideration of the uniqueness of the teacher and the child(ren). I believe that regimented learning should take place during the morning hours so the afternoons are free to pursue creative interests.
I begin school quite early:
7 a.m.-12:30 p.m. – Learning
12:30-1 p.m. – Lunch
1-3 p.m. – Quiet Time (listening to music, reading a quiet story, sleeping, doing a quiet craft – alone)
3-5 p.m. – Dinner Preparation/Chore Time
5-6:30 p.m. – Dinner Time
Evening is Family Togetherness Time, with early bedtime hours following.

Participate in Limited Field Trips

We usually schedule these on a Friday. Monday-Thursday are designed for studying and home life time; field trips should supplement your course of study or relate to the interests of your child(ren). In addition to your regular places of socializing such as libraries, church, neighborhoods, recreational activities, and music/dance/sports classes, field trips should offer positive socialization.

Progress

Certainly you know if your child is doing well because you give him one-on-one attention each day. Checking the progress of your child and your course of study reassures that you are on target educationally. Remember that you are the best evaluator of what your child has learned. Any test will only confirm your findings. However, you may wish to perform some of the following:
Standardized Tests – There are many testing options and many considerations to make when choosing a test: should I choose someone else to administer my child’s test, should I give the test, which test, will it mirror my curriculum, etc.?
Weekly Spelling Test – The four keys to accurate spelling are: Look at the word, say the word, spell the word, and say the word.
Daily Timed Reading Test – Test for accuracy and comprehension.
Daily Writing Sheets – Model writing for your child by writing thank-you cards and letters. Have your child narrate to you what he/she reads, and write it in your child’s journal.
Displaying your child’s work
There are places in the community where you can display your students’ work. Examples are libraries, supermarkets, and support group award/moving up ceremonies.

Purpose

Define your purpose by seeing the big picture. Strive to produce good, people-smart individuals who will be well-educated and able to make a difference; will be independent and people of good character; will fulfill their own dreams; and will work to make good lives for themselves.

The post Home Education 101 appeared first on Texas Home School Coalition.

Dr. Martin L. King tasted something out of the ordinary and eloquently conveyed that in his speech.  To impact, inspire, or motivate others, one must have experienced the same impartation, inspiration, or motivation. It is impossible to lead someone where one has not been.

I am challenged this year as we celebrate Black History Month to point us to the excellent and perfect example of freedom that Dr. King tasted and conveyed in his speech.  As Christian home schoolers, our understanding of that freedom will go a long way to bring us together, to bridge the gap, and to bring us as a nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood.  The freedom that Jesus Christ made available to all mankind through His sacrifice on the cross gives us a yardstick for freedom.  This sacrifice on the cross is far greater than any we may imagine, and it crosses every barrier imaginable no matter one’s color, background, race, gender, or nationality.  One can experience and have the gift of eternal life through the acknowledgment of our sins and faith in the shed blood of Jesus Christ, our sacrificial lamb.  The peace, joy, and possession of God’s promises in the life of anyone who has committed his life to Christ, is a strong proof that God indeed meant for all to have freedom.  This freedom in Christ is available to all.  As a former Muslim, I know firsthand this proof, that freedom in Christ is available to whosoever.

Let us make this year’s Black History Month celebration a time for all of us, no matter our color; let us reach out and touch someone in need of encouragement, motivation, inspiration, guidance, love, and acceptance.  Is it not amazing that no matter the color of our skin we all feel the same about love, pain, grief, sorrow, rejection, hope, and acceptance? I am impressed that THSC has celebrated in the last three years Black History Month through this special column in the Texas Home School Coalition RevieW in February.  This speaks volumes to the minority home school community in Texas, echoing that Texas homeschoolers are as diverse as God’s creation. It also shows that we are moving toward Dr. King’s dream in ensuring that our nation live out the true meaning of its creed—“We hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal.”

This 2004 Black History Month, I strongly encourage that we use the words of Dr. King; that we work together to protect our home school freedom not only in Texas but also in this nation; that we pray together so that we may all live peaceably; and in addition, that we all stand shoulder to shoulder supporting each other in our noble call of home schooling. Freedom is freedom when it is available to ALL.  To read a complete text of Dr. Martin Luther King’s speech, visit www.freemaninstitute.com/Dream.htm.

The post Freedom in Light of the Cross appeared first on Texas Home School Coalition.

It is unbelievable that it has been nine years since we started our home schooling journey. We began when our oldest daughter, Lola, was two years old. Why would any parent want to home school a two-year-old? You will have to know our family history to appreciate the direction behind it. At age two, Lola was talking very fluently for her age and showed great interest in learning. She had already exhausted the typical preschool curriculum – the alphabet, counting to 100, colors, and shapes.

My demanding veterinary profession at the zoo kept me so occupied in those years that my wife, Feyi, was faced with the task of keeping Lola occupied for the day. We decided to get more educational resources for Lola to satisfy her thirst for learning. She devoured everything we got her; at age three she was already reading fluently. Unbeknownst to us, this would begin our home schooling journey. By then, Layo was born. At age two she also showed keen interest in learning and wanted to do what her older sister was doing. She too began reading fluently at age three. Lade was born, and it was just a matter of time before she followed in the footsteps of her older sisters. It became apparent that God had entrusted some talented children to us. The rate at which they were grasping things and their academic levels made us realize quickly that we would not be able to find a public or private school that would adequately meet their needs. We did try one for Lola for a year, but it never fulfilled the need to challenge her.

We knew that we were privileged as parents to provide the academic background they needed. My seven years of professional training in veterinary science and animal nutrition afforded me the foundation for math and science. Feyi’s professional training in microbiology and science education balanced out the other subject areas, but that was not our focus as we began our home schooling journey. Being able to pass on a legacy of faith in Christ Jesus meant so much to us. Coming from a Muslim royal family, my encounter with Christ twenty-four years ago had given me an eternal perspective in every area of my life. It became our mission in our home schooling journey to build godly character in our children, bringing a balance to their God-given academic abilities. Every year we focus on a specific spiritual theme to build and develop in our children. This year we are building and affirming the virtue of biblical love. We combine the interdisciplinary approach with the traditional method to meet our children’s academic prowess.

We settled for one income and made good on our conviction to home school. It has been an enriching lifestyle for us. Although we are still in the trenches, we are fulfilled in knowing that our children are catching the spirit of Christ in us. They also have the opportunity to develop and hone their leadership skills as our family serves other minority home educators. They are catching the truth that biblical leadership is all about serving. From the behind-the-scenes of stuffing envelopes to collating copies, they are learning about Leadership 101.

Lola is tackling junior high curriculum; she is working toward her internship this coming summer at the Duke University Talent Identification Program. Layo has one more year to complete the elementary program and is participating in a leadership program with her sister; she will be traveling to Kenya on a mission trip to address issues of concern to Kenyan children. Lade is enjoying herself in the fourth grade and benefiting from the path her sisters have been able to pave for her. The blossoming in each one of them is inspiring as they walk in what God has destined for their lives.

The scenery along the way has been very beautiful and breathtaking. We are overbooked with opportunities for socialization (that big anti-home schooling word). It has not even occurred to us that there has been any missed opportunity because we have home schooled. We have never stopped to worry about socialization with all the resources that are available: 4-H Club; AWANAs; the coop program with our local support group; a leadership program at church; volunteer opportunities at the library, the Red Cross, and the zoo; a mission study program; interscholastic competitions; violin and piano lessons; literary programs; summer talented and gifted programs; sign language classes; and acting, filming, and taping opportunities. It has been challenging, especially for Feyi, who does the bulk of the teaching, to have three highly curious minds desiring answers to all their questions, inquiries, and searches in every realm. Feyi is giving daily what it takes to provide our children the godly guidance they need as their curious minds are being satisfied and nourished.

In 1998, the vision to encourage, enlighten, motivate, and promote home education among ethnic minorities (African-Americans, Asians, Hispanics, Jews, Native Americans, and Anglos with adopted minority children) who wanted to train and nurture their children in the way of the Lord and in the spirit of excellence was birthed. This vision was established as the Minority Homeschoolers of Dallas Metroplex (MHDM). A burning passion was ignited in our hearts to promote home schooling among ethnic minorities and proclaim that, indeed, home schooling is for all. Our home schooling lifestyle then brought us in contact with many minority home schooling families who had questions about home education, who wanted more information on the legality of home schooling, who wanted a place of fellowship where they could meet other minority home schooling families, and who wanted a place where their ethnic backgrounds and diversities could be celebrated. The support group started with three families, and today it serves well over sixty-five registered families that participate in what it has to offer. The 2000 Annual Home School Bookfair held in Arlington was able to provide an avenue for minority home educators in the North Texas area to network (thanks to Kirk and Beverly McCord). This led to an expansion of the vision. At the 2001 THSC State Convention and Family Conference in Conroe, we carried our message to another area of the state. What started as a local support group in the Dallas area four years ago has now expanded to provide the same opportunity for all minority home educators in Texas as the Minority Homeschoolers of Texas (MHOT). We realize that ours have been lives of a sovereign and divine endowment by God to enjoy and fulfill what He has designed for our family. How amazing and humbling the entire journey has been – the journey of our family’s home schooling and that of serving minority home educators as they strive for excellence in training their children. We can say with all confidence according to Philippians 1:6 that He who began a good work in us will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

To God be all the Glory!!!!

The post Meet a Texas Home School Family – The Johnson Obamehintis appeared first on Texas Home School Coalition.

When a social worker says, “Who is going to protect the children from their parents?” it goes to the heart of social work education. There is a presupposition that parents do not know anything about what children need.  The Family Outreach agency for which I worked actually sent workers to families’ homes to offer our services free of charge to teach them parenting skills!  (Of course they had to agree to the agency’s “style” of parenting to use their services.)  Most accepted!!

I was so bothered by this occurrence that I did my senior thesis research paper on When Government Intervention Becomes Excessive: The Rights of the State versus the Rights of the Parents.  (I gave a special focus on the parents’ right to educate their own children.)  I had to present this research orally to the entire graduating class of social workers.  It was not very well received!  My professor got up and walked out during my presentation.  It was by doing all the research for this paper that I began to feel convicted about home educating my own children.  I saw too much undermining of parental authority with my work as a social worker in the public school system.

As I said, it appears the more things change, the more they stay the same.  Recently I was watching the evening news and saw a glowing report of this new  program in Texas called Healthy Families. I had to chuckle a bit at the thought of this being a new  program and then chuckle some more at the high praise the program was given by the reporter.  I just shook my head in disbelief at the public acceptance of a program like this and its long-term implications for the families of Texas.

When I was an intern, I was told that our agency serviced families strictly on a voluntary basis.  Families could decline our services if they felt the services were not needed. It sounded all nice, neat, and tidy!  As I got more acquainted with how the agencies worked, however, I learned that our client base was fed to us straight from CPS.  CPS would get a referral from the hotline for child abuse or neglect.  Then the intake social worker would determine if the case was suitable for a full-blown CPS investigation.  If they determined that it was not serious enough to investigate, they would refer the family to Family Outreach or Healthy Families.  From there another social worker, not related to the state, would make contact with the family in a very non-threatening way, offering all sorts of free services.  To the many low income, minority families with whom we had contact, this offer was very appealing and inviting.  We were invited into their homes and welcomed with open arms.  The only problem was that the agency never fully stated its intentions for offering all these wonderful, free services.

If we had been up-front and honest with the client families, we would have told them that we were a monitoring agency for the state of Texas.  We were there to make judgment calls and enforce our brand of parenting and discipline in their homes.  We never told them that was our purpose for being there.  Instead, we had seduced these families with all kinds of incentives such as free medical services and transportation to appointments, a mom’s fellowship (really a state-appropriate parenting class), and much more.

With the seduction under way, we worked our way into the hearts of these families and gained their trust.  We had weekly get-togethers at their homes, met with their children and played, and just had fellowship with these moms.  The families agreed to sign contracts and release forms with our agency that allowed us access to any medical information, school records, and psychological evaluations. They also gave us permission to report abuse or neglect, should any be found.  They signed this freely, without a second thought, because they were isolated, alone, and very hungry for fellowship.

As an intern, I had investigated a number of families by recommendation of CPS.  My immediate supervisor was an employee of Texas CPS, so in essence, I was reporting directly to the state about these families. CPS was an ever-present shadow over our work.  There were many instances in which I differed in opinion with my supervisor over what constituted true abuse and neglect within these families.

One case in particular had a seven-year-old boy who walked daily to the corner convenience store by his house to buy gum and candy.  Occasionally he got caught stealing.  The store owner contacted CPS, which referred the case to Family Outreach.  I was assigned the case.  The family eagerly wanted my help (rather, my companionship) and invited me into their home and their lives.  By my observations, there was no abuse or neglect of the children—just extreme poverty.  They made parenting decisions that I personally would not make for my own children, but that in itself is not abuse or neglect.  My supervisor, on the other hand, felt that the parents’ “slow” mental abilities, poverty, and the fact their seven-year-old walked less than a block from the house to the store constituted neglect.  I did not.  I did not think it was the wisest or most prudent decision by a parent, and I shared that with the parents, but emphatically it was not  neglect!  My supervisor referred this case back to CPS.  I was off the case, and the mother was truly hurt that I was no longer able to come by for our weekly visits.

Thus began my understanding concerning the ambiguity of what constitutes abuse and neglect.  Each social worker and each supervisor has his own basis of what he personally considers abuse.  Some think spanking is fine; others feel it is abuse.  Some believe poverty is unfortunate; others feel it is abuse, and children should be removed from homes.  It is never easy to tell what the values of any individual social worker will be. They vary vastly among the profession.

These agencies are trained to locate the “at-risk” families.  Those “at risk” are supposedly more prone to abuse or neglect their children.  Have you ever read a list of the criteria that makes a family “at risk”? These are just a few:

• more than two children in the family
• claim a religious preference
• single-income family
• single-parent family
• home schoolers

The list is so broad that I have never met anyone who was not  an “at-risk” family!!  The agenda of the state is rather hidden.  If CPS refers a case to a sister agency like Family Outreach or Healthy Families, its goal is still accomplished.  Families are monitored, and reports are made to the state concerning private family matters.

I strongly encourage and admonish each home school family to hold fast to its freedoms.  Never give an inch.  If you find yourself in need of support or outside intervention, I strongly encourage you to seek out your local home school support group.  If you are not able to have fellowship with a support group, seek out an older woman in your church to spend time with and mentor you. Be alert and aware that there are agencies out there that will want to “help” and support you, but this help comes with the hefty price tag of your freedom.  Guard your hearts—and your freedoms—with all diligence.

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