My child was accepted into pre-school, but we are homeschooling. And here's why...

Tweet

I have heard that this certain elementary school was a highly sought after school for preschoolers. So other moms would be ecstatic right now, but not me.  I want to homeschool my children. And unless it just does not work for us, I am going to homeschool. I do not want my children to be exposed to all that goes on in public school. You may be sitting there, sighing, thinking that public schools aren't that bad, but if I remember learning about sex in second grade from other kids 18 years ago, then I can only imagine what they are talking about now. Sure, we could enroll Little Bear in a Christian school, but right now, financially, that is not possible. (And for the sake of argument, I know that a Christian school will still have bullies, and talk that shouldn't be in any school.) I am really not trying to start a debate between public schooling and homeschooling. I know some awesome teachers. One of whom is in my family. If all the teachers were like her, a beautiful Christian woman who is caring, observant, and very detail oriented, then I would send them off on the big yellow bus without a worry. But unfortunately, that's not the case. 

I want my children to have a much better education experience than I ever had. I disliked school. I did not want to go, most days, especially in high school, I didn't. (Which got my parents and I a meeting with the truancy board.) I was highly interested in certain classes and activities but wouldn't dare participate if my friends were not participating. I joined the band in 6th grade. For many months I held the first chair in the clarinet section. I was good. But my friends made fun of me, and I was bullied by one of the flute players, so I quit. I know that what doesn't kill you only makes you stronger, but I don't want my children to base their decisions in school on what others think. My parents were very supportive and pushed me to be the best. My dad often encouraged me to, "walk to the beat of a different drum." But when a child is surrounded by their peers, they are likely to follow the crowd, unless they are the leader. I was not a leader, I was very much a follower. I regret so badly not staying in band. I regret not staying in trade school where I might've graduated with a trade that could have been useful to my family today. I know, it's not good to dwell on the past, and to have regrets, but these are things that I feel, no, that I know would have been different if not for the peer pressure, and lack of direction, or support from teachers.

So now I bet you are thinking, "just because these things happened to her, it doesn't mean it will happen to her children." No, they probably will not experience the same things I experienced in school. So that brings me to the biggest reason I want to homeschool. We are Christians. Prayer is a big part of my life. And prayer is already gone from school. I will not have my children getting in trouble if they decide to bow their head and give thanks to God during lunch. I will not have my children being taught that homosexuality is genetic, or that a person was born gay and they can't help their feelings, so it's okay. I will not have my children being taught that sex before marriage is okay as long as they use protection. I will not have my children being exposed to drugs and alcohol in school. I will not have a teacher mock my child for our beliefs. (Yes, people, it happens.) 

I hate that I feel I have to defend our choice to homeschool. So may people around me have already commented that our child will miss out on so much if we homeschool, or they will not be properly socialized, or they will be a wimp because they won't have the events at school to help them learn how to cope with bullies or hard situations. I know that I am not going to be able to guard my children from all of the bad things in this world. But I believe that by keeping them initially at home, then eventually (possibly) in a Christian school I can shield them from a good percentage of it.

Now, I am getting down off of my soap box. Feel free to comment, but please do not bash my decision or my beliefs.

Bible Verse of the Week - Fear Not

Tweet

Isaiah 41:10 NKJV

'Fear not, for I am with you; 

Be not dismayed, for I am your God. 

I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, 

I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.'

It is so easy to let fear slip into our life. The thing about fear is, it's not natural. God did not create us to have fear. Fear is negative faith, it works against what God wants to do for us. When we are afraid of something, we lose our faith over that situation becoming resolved, or getting better. We should try to wake up every morning with the thought that fear is not going to help us, only hinder what God can do for us. Remember that all things work together for the good of those who love God. Love God and remember that HE is our God and he will uphold us with His righteous right hand!

Bible Verse of the Week - Pursue Peace

Tweet

I am cheating this week... In weeks past I have written about verses that were near and dear to my heart that day, but this evening, I found a very good piece on peace. (ha, ha!) I have had a rather unpeaceful day today. My 17 month old was very cranky last night, and I had a persistent backache all night long. Needless to say, I didn't get much sleep. To go along with the sleepless night, both of my boys were very rambunctious today. Then there was the usual monthly drama on Facebook. One family member posting something about another family member instead of confronting them about it. Oh boy. Don't you just LOVE social networking? When the drama on Facebook started, I was close to taking my spiritual armor off and putting on my "Oh-no-you-didn't-just-say-that" armor. But I didn't. I tried to be neutral, and helpful, but it wasn't coming across that way, so I stopped it there.  I said a quick prayer, and decided to step out. My favorite part about the featured verse this week is, "Let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it". So, my choice to "do good" in this situation, is to say nothing at all. Both parties are now in contact with each other, and hopefully they get everything worked out.


http://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/Answers/
Pursue Peace 
By Bayless Conley
"In 1 Peter 3:10-11, Peter provides an important command in our relationships with other people, For "  He who would love life and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking deceit.  Let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it." 

I want to focus your attention on the last part of verse 11, "Seek peace and pursue it."  This means we are to pursue peace with people. This command is reinforced by the writer of Hebrews in Hebrews 12:14, Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord. I want you to take note of the first part of that verse,  Pursue peace with….  How many people are we to pursue peace with?  All people.  Does that include your neighbor?  How about your mom?  How about your dad?  How about your kids?  Your boss?  Your relatives?  How about that individual who seems to have a gift for getting on your nerves?  What about those who are rude and obnoxious? We are told that we are to pursue peace with all people. That is not a suggestion.  That is a command.  And that command is clarified further in Romans 14:19, which says, Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another. 

Things that edify (or build up) create peace.  Things that tear down shatter peace.  Keep that in mind next time you are having a heated discussion with your husband or wife.  Ask yourself, "Are the things that I am sharing at this moment building up my partner?  Or, are they tearing them down?" Pursue peace with all people by choosing words and deeds that will build them up."  

I am praying for God to help me bite my tongue, especially in family situations, where it can get sticky quick. This blog is titled "Christ-Like Mommy" and Christ was a peacekeeper, so shouldn't I be as well?

(Did you notice that I posted this as an actual post this instead of on the page? I didn't realize when I made the page that comments were not an option, so from now on, the Bible Verse of the Week will be an actual post, feel free to comment!)