Help
With Your Rule
Discerning School Choice
Dear Holly,
I am a mother of three small children: a 4 year old, a 3 year old and an almost-1 year old. My husband and I are facing a new "challenge" for us now that falls somewhere in a mother's rule of life - trying to decide what type of schooling we should provide for our children. Our 4 year old boy will be 5 in March and then almost 6 when school starts in fall of 08 just in time for kindergarten.
I need your advice in discernment and how do you know God's will: Private or homeschool? I honestly love the idea of homeschool but 1.) I don't think I could do it. 2.) My husband does not support it. 3.) Even if he did, his job takes him away from the family with many long hours. We could probably send our children to private school but my husband , who is not Catholic, is not to excited about that either.
I am Catholic, our children are and they will go to a Catholic school but how do you choose? Where do you draw the line? Do you choose a school that is close but could be "week in the faith" or a school that seems to have it all and is 15 miles out of the way and you would have to pile all the babies/younger children in the cold car to get your child to the school that seems like a good choice? Could you send me some tips in making the right choice?
Labels: 4th P Parent
posted by Holly at 4:21 PM
2 Comments:
First off, it is a sign of your conscientiousness that you are considering this matter now. But at the same time, you have time here to listen to the still voice of God over the next year or two. "Be not Afraid" is what comes to my mind first in response to your questions. God is with you, and He is leading you, and often, it is just before the decision is to be made that the door opens.
So, if there is any anxiety in your heart at this moment, remember that todays' troubles are enough for today, and letting God take care of the future is the first key to peace. And so too, it's the first key to discernmnet, since it is very difficult to discern God's intention (his whsipers) when our hearts are noisy with fears and worries and anxieties.
Your son is very young. School age in most places is 6, or 7. Find out the legal entrance age for your child, and let that be your guide as to when the decision has to be made.
Next, though, you have an interior attraction to homeschooling and a definite commitment to Catholic education. I would start there, for God usually inspires us with an attraction as an indication of his intent. And given the large amount of time available to you, you can afford to look into it without in anyway committing at this time.
Begin to read about homeschooling and begin to share your discoveries with your husband, informally, as a sharing, not as a proselytizing. Be in 'I'm Checking this out' mode.
Attend local homeschooling conferences and listen to the speakers, and talk to the mothers. Find out more about the lifestyle. So many of us were sure we 'couldn't do that' and yet have been pleasantly surprised to find God empowered us.
Next begin finding out about curriculum for your children now - Oh, not textbooks full of written exericises, but some of the many fun and wonderful pre-school resources out there, and those from Catholic perspectives (CHC comes to mind).
Experiment in teaching your children now, and see if you and they enjoy it. Do their abc's on the wall; go for nature walks; draw and paint; learn about Jesus together and make wall displays; do crafts to follow the church liturgy; read about the world and good stories from good books. See what happens.
I think this type of experimentation will directly show you whether you are called to homeschool - you will have an internal conviction grow and grow; it will also give your husband a chance to see the fruit of it; and if this door is to close, in the end, God will begin to point out other alternatives as you go.
In the end, I say, pray daily for God's enlightenment on this issue. Research homeschooling. Work with your kids to set up the learning environment you believe is beneficial to them as young ones; read, think and discuss over time with your husband. As the time gets closer for actual school time, you'll have a better sense as to whether you need school or not.
Remember too, sometimes there are other options too -part of the years can be homeschooled until you feel the child is ready and then he can go to school. Part time school is an option. But also homeschool groups and coops are available.
All in all, I think your own prayer, discusssion of goals with your husband, and checking out what's there, combined with your own lights will direct you sufficiently, given that you do indeed have time to make this decision. May God bless your journey!
As part of your "I'm checking this out" mode, I would go online and request some free catalogs. You can begin to get a taste of what different publishers have to offer.
I suggest:
1. Seton Home Study, work-a-text
2. Catholic Heritage Curricula, very gentle approah
3. Emmanuel Books, carries Mother of Divine Grace, lots of literature based learning
4. maybe go to a bookstore and flip thru some of Core Knowledge (What Your Kindergartner Needs to Know, What Your First Grader Needs to Know, etc.)
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