tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4593580278035370740.post2491953267357301760..comments2023-03-26T02:18:40.217-07:00Comments on Boundless Grace: A Long Post On A SoapboxJodihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13309539172041893568noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4593580278035370740.post-83865203372704920412009-06-09T12:14:34.186-07:002009-06-09T12:14:34.186-07:00Oh Kristen, I hope I didn't sound too preachy ...Oh Kristen, I hope I didn't sound too preachy or critical about Christians that don't homeschool their kids. I just had a lot on my mind after a few days of mulling things over and conversing and reading a lot. I had to get it out. :) Plus I am writing from an area where the schools have taken the kids to see the Dalai Lama and learn from his wisdom as a field trip when he was visiting Seattle. :/<br /><br />I know you guys have a unique situation with your health and everything. I admire you for your strength working through all of that with three kiddos!!<br /><br />I did want to address this one thing, mainly because I definitely don't plan on doing school all day:<br /><br /><i>The thing is, I'm know that if I was teaching them academics all day, I would tire of teaching them spiritual things, even if it was incorporated in their learning.</i><br /><br />The reason I found home schooling doable for us was because most families I know that homeschool don't do academics all day, or even anywhere close to it. The little ones who are just starting do about two hours max, and even the older kids are usually done between noon and two p.m.<br /><br />I'm not trying to convince you to home school (I hope it doesn't sound that way), and I totally get why you guys are going to do public school for your kids. I just wanted to put it out there that I really felt overwhelmed by the prospect until I saw some home schooling families in action and saw that it allowed the mom to be much more flexible with her time not having to deal with school schedules. And the families were really spending a small percentage of their day on academics.Jodihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13309539172041893568noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4593580278035370740.post-21015866724615170552009-06-09T09:15:18.672-07:002009-06-09T09:15:18.672-07:00I really like your point of view. I think above al...I really like your point of view. I think above all the most important thing we teach our children is about God and His sacrifice, love, salvation, grace, mercy.... It is my constant prayer that God draw my children to Him whatever it takes, and I wholeheartedly mean that.<br /><br />I cringe at the idea of people sending their children off to school in order to be missionaries. I just cannot imagine most children are ready for that until, like you said, their teens, and even then I think that shouldn't be the focus until they are adults whether they are equipped or not. Because until they are adults, they are basically still under our tutelage, and we are to be still teaching them the ways of God.<br /><br />What I found really interesting is how you said you are too lazy to reteach them. I totally see your point. The thing is, I'm know that if I was teaching them academics all day, I would tire of teaching them spiritual things, even if it was incorporated in their learning. I know I would be too focused on meeting all the requirements for their education. And I want to spend my energy teaching them about God.<br /><br />We started out thinking we were going to home school and now feel led to send them to public school. I'd love to send them to the private Christian school here (where they will attend preschool) for all of their schooling, but financially that is not an option. We are not sending them to public school so they can be salt and light, like some people would think. We honestly believe (at this point) that's what God wants us to do. We know that can change at any time or be different for each child. But when we really think about it, our motivation for homeschooling would be out of fear of the public schools, which is the wrong reason to home school. (I know that's not your reason.) And when we look at it all logically, it makes sense why God is leading us this way. For one, He has ordained that I have some serious physical limitations (especially at the moment). That is what He has chosen for us, and that means a different lifestyle for our family. And, honestly, I would be a terrible mom if I home schooled! I do not have the energy to educate, parent, teach spiritual matters, clean house, and be the wife my husband deserves. I want a good balance for all these things, which means finding priorities and cutting extra things out. Most people do not have to choose, though I'm sure no mom can do everything 100%!<br /><br />All that to say, I totally appreciate your point of view and love that you value these things for your boys. They are fortunate to have you and Steve for parents.Kristen Borlandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18428076923505790238noreply@blogger.com