| Education is a funny thing, particularly for | | | | able to support a growing mind than the family |
| homeschoolers and those who question it. One of | | | | members who know the child best? While not |
| the more common questions I am asked by | | | | every mom or dad is a natural teacher, the |
| non-homeschool families, believe it or not, is about | | | | plethora of materials and training tools, teacher |
| things such as graduation ceremonies and proms, | | | | resources and aids will allow any mom or dad to |
| as if those had something to do with the | | | | use their curricula effectively and to educate their |
| education process of preparing and equipping our | | | | child with integrity and intentionality if they |
| students for future studies in college and life. | | | | become learners themselves and seek out any |
| However, the point can be made that a thorough | | | | support they need from homeschool coaches or |
| preparation for life includes markers of | | | | other homeschoolers. |
| achievement and celebrations, so missing out on | | | | And so along with the abundance of rewards that |
| those things seems difficult for those who might | | | | come from homeschooling their children, |
| otherwise consider homeschooling. | | | | homeschoolers also have created opportunities to |
| But the issue of ceremonies and homeschooling is | | | | celebrate life together. There are community |
| not an "either/or" situation. Homeschoolers know | | | | graduation ceremonies and dances, coop classes |
| this, but non-homeschooling families don't seem to | | | | and sports teams. There is no shortage of things |
| understand or accept that you can do both. | | | | that homeschool families can participate in if they |
| Homeschooling is a choice in education, not | | | | wish, but these are not required parts of |
| deprivation. Homeschool families are not choosing | | | | education, so each family is able to make their |
| to limit their children's opportunities, but rather to | | | | own schedules and serve their own visions and |
| increase them through more intense preparation. | | | | goals as best fit their needs. Homeschoolers can |
| Homeschool families do not seek to omit life | | | | do volunteer work, community service, take on |
| celebrations, but they choose to mark them | | | | apprentice type positions in fields that they are |
| together, sometimes uniquely. | | | | interested in, and so much more. But, they can |
| Philosophically, homeschooling is about the desire | | | | also train up their children with solid academic skills, |
| to educate and train our children in ways that | | | | spending the necessary time to have each child |
| allow them the individualized opportunity to learn, | | | | master the content of any given subject before |
| grow in wisdom, gain intellectual skills, etc., but in | | | | moving on, and do so in a safe, loving, supportive |
| an environment that lets the family participate in | | | | environment where life is celebrated daily in the |
| the process more fully and be true to their own | | | | circle of family members who live it out together. |
| personal goals and objectives. Who will better be | | | | |