Before you start reading this blog I need to let you in on a dirty little secret. I mean this could make or break our relationship before it even starts. When I tell others, they look at me different. I don’t know why. I’m just like everyone else but nevertheless…it changes things. So I might as well say it up front.
I always wanted to homeschool.
There I said it. It’s out in the open now. But just because I always wanted to doesn’t mean my journey in homeschooling is always easy.
Actually, as I type this, I’m hiding in the bathroom…from my kids!
So why did I even stumble these words across this screen? Because people need to know the real deal and I’m going to tell you. From the beginning.
Alright you got me, not quite from the beginning but close enough.
The day was … okay, I don’t remember that either but I know I was in college because I was in one of those lectures. I decided to major in math education. Long story but just know I did NOT plan on that. There I was listening to this lecture from Dr. Mbyirukira (Dr. M because… well no one could pronounce his name right and in his mercy he said to just call him Dr. M… I always thought that was cool. I said from then on I wanted to be Ms. C… but Carter is not hard to pronounce… but I digress again). So where was I, oh yes. There I was listening to a lecture from Dr. M on the importance of education in the early years of a child’s life. He read:
Early Childhood Is the Most Important Period—Too much importance cannot be placed on the early training of children. The lessons that the child learns during the first seven years of life have more to do with forming his character than all that it learns in future years.
From babyhood the character of the child is to be molded and fashioned in accordance with the divine plan. Virtues are to be instilled into his opening mind.
The parents’ work must begin with the child in its infancy, that it may receive the right impress of character ere the world shall place its stamp on mind and heart.
The Most Susceptible Age—It is during the first years of a child’s life that his mind is most susceptible to impressions either good or evil. During these years decided progress is made in either a right direction or a wrong one. On one hand, much worthless information may be gained; on the other, much solid, valuable knowledge. The strength of intellect, the substantial knowledge, are possessions which the gold of Ophir could not buy. Their price is above gold or silver. {Child Guidance, EG White p.193}
It was then that I thought, If these first years are the most important, the most influential, then I wanted to be the one to mold my child’s mind. I wanted to be there first teacher. I purposed in my heart to homeschool for at least the first seven years and then enroll them in school after that. (Spoiler alert: I’m still homeschooling…and my children are currently 6, 8 and 11.)
As I look back. I realize it was not just that quote. I never really liked school as a child. I recall crying every day when my parents dropped me off at school. In my teenage years I had a song for my Monday morning blues “I don’t want to go to school tomorrow, please don’t make me go to school”. I sang it every Sunday in all kinds of weird notes that would make dogs howl. I did not want my children to experience that dejection as such a young age. So you see there were many factors that played a role in my decision to homeschool. They all worked together to help me purpose in my heart to homeschool from the start.
What’s your beginning?
Why did you start homeschool or Why are you considering homeschooling?