People worry about bad things that might happen to their kids in public school – kids getting fat due to unhealthy food, kids being bullied, kids getting shot. But they don’t seem to worry about the certainties: Their kids will be institutionalized, and taught that they are nothing, less than nothing, in fact.
A few years back we took a trip to visit a famous museum, where I was appalled at the exhibit “proving” that we are all products of nothing more than “oxygen pollution.” Yes, there are worse things than being highly developed apes. One can have affection and regard for an ape. But to be nothing more than pollution? You can try all the self-esteem training in the world, but it won’t take over deeply-embedded programming such as this.
The truth is that every one of us is unique in all the world, uniquely qualified to do something marvelous for God and man. This is the goal of education: the love and adventure of learning of who our Maker is, why He made us, and the equipping for the task.
Pastor Keith Moore recently said, “We need to be delivered from this desperate need for others’ approval.” I submit to you that we got that mentality in public school. We learned to follow the crowd, to strive for the grade, to fit in and be “cool” in public school.
Yes, of course all this happens in most private schools as well, but many private schools are Christian, and therefore do not denigrate the child with anti-Creation messages. However, there is one way to be certain your child is taught the intrinsic value of every human, and that is to believe it yourself and teach it at home.
Oh, you’re doing that? Once in a while. And you think you can counter that pervasive message from “educators” just fine. And how about the influences of children whose parents have failed to teach them kindness and respect?
We recently visited friends whose pre-schooled child talked back to her mom and it was like listening to a rebelling teenager. I was so grieved. A child that age should be over the moon in love with her mommy.
So what do I suggest? Home schooing. Of course.
Before you start your tired mantra: I can’t, I couldn’t, I’m not qualified, I have to work, I’m a single parent, my kids drive me nuts . . . Just stop for a second. Consider the idea. What if you could? What if you at least prayed about it? What if it’s true that where there’s a will there’s a way?
You may not be qualified, but it’s probably not for the reasons you think. I once read about a woman who decided against home schooling and was glad she did when she saw her kindergartner standing in line. She knew that had she home schooled ,her daughter would never have learned this “skill.”
When our kids were young teens we enrolled them in Karate. When the instructor told the class to line up our kids just stood there. John laughed and I rolled my eyes. Hannah later said she knew what a line was, but she just thought she should be first and everyone should get behind her. How’s that for a different perspective?
Back to the woman who thinks standing in line is an important life skill. This woman is not smart enough to home school. But you are, or you wouldn’t be reading my blog. If you potty trained that child and taught her to talk and how to tie her shoes, you can teach her to love learning and be a life-long performer in the dance of life.
The Home Front Show 
I love your message here.. I have to say, I’m one of those moms who never thought I’d homeschool, worries I’m not qualified, and frankly, just didn’t plan on spending those years teaching school.. But with the way the schools are now, I know that’s probably the best option… It would just take sacrifice for me to take it on. Anyways, that’s a few years away for us, but it’s never too early to start thinking about these things, and I love that you’re encouraging people to consider this option.
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Thanks. It’s encouraging for me to know someone is encouraged!
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