Comments on: I’ve Been Homeschooling for Three Years and My Kids Still Haven’t Won the National Spelling Bee

By: Mrs. Santos

Mrs. Santos — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 20:06:35 +0000

This is great. I especially liked your scipture reference. My family (we homeschool also) has recently been going through the “valley of humiliation”. I just posted a blog about it…that even IF Mr. Santos was the owner of a giant corporation, we lived in a large fancy home, and (our kids were geniuses)…our boasting would still be (must be)the same as it is in our humble state – we boast in The Living God. Thank you for your post.

By: Meghann Jones

Meghann Jones — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 19:11:07 +0000

Amen! Great post!

By: Doug M

Doug M — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 18:25:24 +0000

Thank you so much for this post. This is just what I needed to keep me grounded.

By: Germaine

Germaine — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 20:17:18 +0000

Thank you for this blog. It helps me feel like I am not so nutty after all. Many of the points expressed, I have experienced.
My children are quite average as well. And they sin just like the kids that go to the public schools. Sometimes they excel in a very unexpected way. My biggest concern has always been in the Spiritual area.
One of my heartaches is the odd uncomfortable feeling that comes about sometimes when we meet new Christians that have not homeschooled. There are different responses, but sometimes it seems, we are looked as the type that may think we are better than they are. In time, they may find out, we are not like that. But, sometimes, that first impression doesn’t shake off. Still, even though, I am not looking to judge fellow Christians for not homeschooling. And even though, my kids are not as holy as I would have liked them to be sometimes… I still cannot bring myself to put them into the public schools.
I don’t have the words to explain it all as well as I would like. You ladies have written your thoughts well. Thank you for sharing.

By: Kim from Canada

Kim from Canada — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 04:35:02 +0000

It’s funny the different things that homeschooler’s feel inadequate about when comparing our children to other homeschoolers and public students. Recently I was pushing Duck to learn skipping – it just occurred to me that she NEEDED to accomplish this skill and that she was missing out on something that other girls know by her age. After a few ‘lessons’ she looked up at me and said “how is this going to matter in my life?”
Student bypasses teacher, very humbling. Great post.

By: Kathy

Kathy — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 13:50:50 +0000

Once again. . . well said. It’s sometimes difficult, but oh so important, to keep everything in perspective as we homeschool our children. It’s actually helped me to not be too involved with other homeschoolers so that I could plow ahead with our family’s goals and values without being overly influenced or guilt ridden by theirs.

By: botanyhead

botanyhead — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 13:01:00 +0000

Awesome article! I totally am with you. I’m printing out some of this for clipping and taping to my kitchen cupboards for inspiration.

By: Organizing MOmmy

Organizing MOmmy — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 05:55:39 +0000

Oh my dear, dear sweet Mrs. P! I wish I had been able to articulate the argument as you have when I was at that stage of the game.

There’s nothing quite as offensive is the big pride feather that poked out my “rear”?? as I contemplated being able to “brag” about my smart kids, even before I had taught them anything! (gasp!)

I will say this. Our kids are “incredibly average” in just about everything. I’ve even thought about writing a book about how “average” we are, but it would be so boring and unimpressive that no one would really want to read it. The hard thing to admit is that whether or not I’ve had overly academic visions (at times) or overly spiritual visions (at other times), both have in their own ways have simultaneously succeeded and failed in what I had originally thought.

It’s hard to explain. We all have visions for our children. If we didn’t we’d be deadbeats, you know. It’s that big goal out there that sort of keeps us going. But it’s really odd when God tells us our surmising of the situation is either a) too high or b) too low. Too high? I was an extrovert in high school. I expected all of my kids would bloom earlier than they are doing.. I expected they would be more outward about sharing the Gospel and meeting new people.
Too low? Their standards of personal holiness are higher than I could have expected. Academically? I was just hoping they would be either: on grade level or a year behind OR below. I specifically did not want our kids in college early. I know others who have done it successfully, but it was not going to work for our family. Non-drivers do not have permission to go to college in our family. Sorry. If you are that bright, read a book on the topic.

Music. I have no musical ability whatsoever. I am always amazed how the kids have picked up playing instruments and such. Computers and electronics: I still don’t know how to put in a DVD. They do everything.

Life skills: When are they EVER going to learn to multi-task?? or make a meal?? or clean up the kitchen properly?? And IF my daughter is going to be a wife and mother some day, when is she going to clean up her room??

So, I think all parents struggle with this. The struggle is good. The results keep us humble because we can ONLY thank the Lord for any results we see.

Blessings.