We're asked about ‘how we homeschool' often. I've enlisted the help of my wonderful husband, Stuart, to help create a new series of blog posts based around the philosophy and practicality of our home education to share with you what we've learned, what we do, and how we function as a homeschool family.
It’s with a little fear and trepidation that I attempt again to type out and put out “there” my thoughts on homeschooling.
Education or schooling seem to be one of those topics that brings it out in people. And in a world that seems to be able to hotly divide over most anything, I’m not too interested in throwing more fuel on the fire. I am also a little uncomfortable stepping outside my immediate local circle of people (I know, ironic right).
There are a few maxims that have come to help guide me and direct my thinking as I navigate life and its complexities. “Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should,” is one of those. I’m not an expert in education, and there are others that have thought longer and deeper about it.
So, who am I to pretend to add much to the conversation? And why would anyone care what I think anyway? And I’m fairly convinced that, other than my wife, nobody does. And that’s probably how it should be. I’m very comfortable in the place where nobody cares what I think, where I can just put my head down and take care of my own business (I’m the youngest of four; I did more watching than talking).
But some of my biggest encouragements in homeschooling have been through those who were willing to “put it out there”. Perhaps there are those out there, who frequent these blog pages, who would benefit from the thoughts and encouragement intended to come from here.
Even if you may differ, perhaps drastically, with some of what is said, perhaps we will find we are more like-hearted even if not like-minded. And that can be a good thing. You don’t have to “approve in order to accept.” That would put us in sad, boring little bubbles.
Another maxim I try to let guide me is “In essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty, in all things charity.” I recently came across someone's adaptation of that, “In essentials gravity, in non-essentials levity, in all things charity.” My pastor often reminds us to “marry your principles, not your methods.” All this to say, I think there is a way to address a topic that can be volatile (like education), but in a way that brings more light than heat.
But that takes a certain disposition, a like-heartedness, that is willing to stand shoulder to shoulder on essentials even while it may look as though we are doing two different things. This calls for a careful distinction between the principle and the practical. To be sure the two are connected. But without the proper principles, the practical is serving no particular end.
It does no good to make beautiful stained glass windows for a house with a crumbling foundation. I think it is often very easy to get caught up in the practical, because, like the stained glass window, it is easiest to see. But, unlike the foundation, it’s not structural and can come in many different beautiful shapes, sizes, and colors.
I do think, along with most of us, the education of our kids is one of those areas that should be taken very seriously (probably one of those areas most of us are unified on); so it has taken a place of priority in our home. And the decisions we've made regarding it haven’t been made lightly even if they are different than the ones others have made. But what I hope to do is bring some light to those who are looking for it.
In the past I have written some thoughts about homeschooling just as I have worked through them in no particular order. I hope to do something a little different with these post. I hope to tell more of a story, a personal narrative that helps make sense of how we got where we are today.
As I think about where we are today with our kids and homeschooling, I am more aware of how my particular experiences have shaped my thinking and what we do. I think that is important to reflect on. So, I’ll try to tell that story.
To wrap this initial post up, let me just say that I am under no pretense of self-importance. One of the backdoor risks of the interweb world is gaining a false sense of importance. There is nothing particularly courageous about writing a blog post from the comfort of my couch behind the safety of my screen. The real action happens out there, in your homes, with your spouse, your kids, your friends and community that can physically sit across from you and talk into the night.
That is where the real risk is, and that’s where the real payout is. So, be encouraged to cultivate your homes and community. TTFN.
SF Elliott
bw
i fully agree in the waiting on formal school and allowing them to play, explore, and learn from simply just living when they’re a child. this takes a lot of being present and intentional in the experiences you give your children but it’s so great to be a force in your children’s learning.
and i would hope that all homeschool type families can appreciate every family’s different schooling styles without comment. and sharing/learning from each other’s styles help to mold our own so i appreciate hearing how others do it.
Daria Morfin
Like I’ve said before, many times, you two are the real deal. I love watching your show. Thanks for always staying grounded and committed to your relationship with God and each other. It’s such a breath of fresh air, in the midst of chaos in this world. I would love to meet you two one day. It’s a dream of mine. Anyways, keep up the hard work, and always following where the Lord leads you!
Annah vanstrydonk
Enjoyed this first blog. I very much look forward to what is to come! I was home schooled, value that immensely, and when the day comes for my husband and I to start our family we will be home schooling. I am always trying to find people who have gone before me so that I can learn from them. Thank you for starting this!!
Rachel C.
Thank you for starting this series Stuart! I’m really looking forward to future posts. Thank you Shaye for convincing him to write.
Cassi Werner
Your humility is everything! Thank you for that example and, I’m guessing, everyday character! To God be the glory!
Cassi Werner
Your humility is everything! Thank you for the example and, I’m guessing, living with this everyday character! To God be the glory!
Beth Jones
Praise YHWH! Amen. And amen. 😉 love this. Thank you. 🙂
Kendall
Go be bold Stuart. Encourage those who might need the encouraging to make that big decision. It’s uplifting to see those who have walked the path, experienced the resistances and hesitations, and also the absolute joy and beauty that births. I can’t wait to hear your story. And I will flinch at all of the ill comments, and pray that you and Shaye shake it off and know that he’s always on the prowl eager to seek and destroy and to use words that tear people down. Praying the Lords grace over your family as you open up to the world the beautiful comfortable every day life you guys live. I’ll be at my farm in Pennsylvania, on the other side of the continent, cheering you guys on. With a latte in hand, obviously. 😉
Betsy
Well I will just say ditto and Amen to this post. I couldn’t have said it better.
Anna R.
Thank you for being willing to share your outlook in such a gentle way. What a nice way to publish your family’s homeschooling efforts as you do your unique best to love, nurture and educate your children. Beautiful photos. Love the mud moment.
Katherine Rhodes
This is great! I loved your video clip! We have homeschooled our 4 children since the “beginning” and now they are ages 9-15. My husband works outside the home so he is not very involved with the schooling. But we have tried to create many teachable moments like fishing, camping, visiting and helping grandparents, etc. It’s refreshing to hear your perspective as I often have felt guilty when we aren’t doing book work. But they are learning so much more through life experiences! Thank you for sharing!
Brittany Long
I am very excited for the coming posts on this! We have 3 kids, only one currently school age but my interest in homeschooling has recently become a strong desire so I’ve been diving into research. You two seem like a wonderful example to learn from. It is a very weighted decision with so many factors to consider so while you may have your reservations about putting it all out there please know your inspiration and guidance will be very valuable to those of us at the beginning of the journey!
Wanda Cheshire
Your videos are so awesome. I even have dreams of being with you on your homestead, doing things with you. My question is how do you make your incomes to support what you are doing. Farming now a days is so hard.? Thanks for your videos. I love watching. I do lots of gardening and I currently have 14 flower beds plus a huge garden and raised beds. I do lots of canning and preserving and venturing into straw bale gardening. That’s awesome!
Colleen Malone
As a veteran homeschooling parent, who have just sent the last of our six homeschooled children off to college, I can concur with you in spades as to the question of ‘how do we homeschool’. I remember those days being excited and giddy over a new shipment of books and hunkering down with my brood of six with candles lit, all snuggled together and becoming absorbed in a good story. Those were the days! Their early years were largely taught with reading and more reading. My focus was just that. As long as they knew how to read and the other two Rs, they could teach themselves anything they wanted to know and they did. I can’t say I was always confident in my own belief system but they did learn. Whether you want to call it being self taught, with some guidance or not, unschooling, structured learning, etc, it is still an education. The best kind in my opinion.
Hannah
Thank you for opening up and sharing. This is definitely a place I look to for encouragement and ideas. I so appreciate all the help!