With the exception of a few initial hiccups, we have homeschooled our children since our oldest started kindergarten. Our oldest has now finished those high school years!
We have faced the same trials many homeschoolers face: “is this crazy?,” fighting doubts over “socialization,” wondering if we were doing enough, being tossed here and there by various approaches, struggling to stay off every curriculum bandwagon that passed our way, meeting the challenges of handling criticism for our choices, making time to get it all done, homeschooling through deaths in the family, illness and moves. While there have admittedly been a few ups and downs, we wouldn’t trade this journey for anything. The Lord has used this time to grow our family closer Him and to each other. We are truly blessed!
Our focus at HomeHearts has always been on homeschooling from the heart. As Marilyn Howshall said some time ago, “It is our own character and heart that must be trained and then that of our children.” While we realize there are as many different ways to homeschool as there are families who homeschool, we are partial to those approaches that appreciate the giftings of each child, allow them to grow as individuals at their own rate, and above all to “do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with [their] God” (Micah 6:8). We have prayerfully looked at each approach to homeschooling, borrowed what was best for our family and left the rest. We would encourage you to do the same!
We don’t claim to be experts. We might be a bit further down the road, perhaps able to more clearly see some of the potholes. Whatever we have learned along this journey, we would like to share, and hopefully give a lift to other families coming along behind us.
May God richly bless you and your family on this journey!
