O
OrdainedPraise
Guest
I have experienced that homeschooling my children is a cross of love and possibly a door through “the narrow gate.” I am currently witnessing many possitive results in my children.
- Status
B
buckr02
Guest
Well, because I’m still not sure if I am called to marriage or priesthood, I cannot say for certain. But I know that if I do get married, I definitely want to homeschool my kids. I’ve known several families that have homeschooled and I have seen how much a difference it makes compared to being sent off to school, as happened to the rest of my family and me. The only problem is that I feel like it would be much harder to find a wife who wanted to homeschool, although I can’t say if this is the case for sure, as I haven’t even started dating yet.
O
OrdainedPraise
Guest
You already have a good perception of what has taken place in our public school system as a large proportion of the population has developed a tolerance for inappropriate things. Whether you get married or go into the priesthood - you will carry this armor with you. Either way, you will have the power to influence the young. The priesthood is a very high calling. Marriage is a cross of love. I guess you could switch those around too. Don’t worry. The Holy Spirit will guide you in the right direction. Never stop praying for his guidance! If you ever feel the need to find out more about homeschooling - feel free to ask.
C
Cari
Guest
I constantly remind myself that homeschooling is a vocation I was called to. On very, very bad days it’s like a mantra in my head that keeps me from running out the door 
On good days, it’s sort of a wonder-filled statement of fact.
However, just like being called to religious life isn’t a vocation everyone is called to, neither is homeschooling. Just like a priest wouldn’t look down on married couples for NOT entering religious life, neither should we look down on those who are not called to homeschool.
As a former public school teacher I have seen “behind the scenes” of the current public school system in a way most people don’t. That means I’ve seen the horror stories that manage to stay quiet as well as many unsung acts of heroism and selflessness that all too quickly get glossed over. Not every aspect of public, private, or homeschooling are perfect. But we, as parents, should all have the same end goal- to prepare our children for eternity.
On good days, it’s sort of a wonder-filled statement of fact.However, just like being called to religious life isn’t a vocation everyone is called to, neither is homeschooling. Just like a priest wouldn’t look down on married couples for NOT entering religious life, neither should we look down on those who are not called to homeschool.
As a former public school teacher I have seen “behind the scenes” of the current public school system in a way most people don’t. That means I’ve seen the horror stories that manage to stay quiet as well as many unsung acts of heroism and selflessness that all too quickly get glossed over. Not every aspect of public, private, or homeschooling are perfect. But we, as parents, should all have the same end goal- to prepare our children for eternity.
O
OrdainedPraise
Guest
Homeschooling is not always easy to describe because there are benefits in most all forms of education for children. One thing is true though. Anytime a child witnesses their parent devout their time to the child’s formation by carrying the cross to serve their children when the child’s mind is young and is thirsting for knowledge and learning - the children experience one of the most profound ways of participating in the love that flows in and from the blessed trinity (Father, Son, & Holy Spirit) (father, mother, & child). The child takes this first hand knowledge and experience of loving service into their own way of living and giving to others. Family unity and bonds are strengthened. This is not always easily detected while one is going through the process of homeschooling. Tough times can be encountered too. Nevertheless, results from homeschooling efforts slowly emerge as your child grows. I see some friends of ours children who have received a public education who are doubting their Catholic faith. The Catholic Church’s role in History is significant and is downplayed in public education. (Really - it is ignored or portrayed as some sort of problem in society). Our rich Catholic Faith combined with homeschooling has allowed us to pray together while studying our various subjects. We have chosen to put our faith first - above all other subjects. This has been a real blessing for our family.
O
OrdainedPraise
Guest
I constantly remind myself that homeschooling is a vocation I was called to.
On very, very bad days it’s like a mantra in my head that keeps me from running out the door
O
OrdainedPraise
Guest
G
gardenswithkids
Guest
I’m glad you mentioned this thread on another thread. I don’t often visit the vocations area of CA forums.
I guess I hadn’t really thought of homeschooling as a separate vocation. I consider it part of my vocation to marriage. The vocation to marriage called us to be open to parenthood. All parents teach their children, whether they officially “homeschool” or not.
I was a reluctant homeschooler. We sent our children to private schools, then moved to an area with supposedly “good” public schools. We disliked the public schools and found homeschooling the only other available option. Several years later, we continue to homeschool our younger children, but our high schoolers attend a private Catholic high school.
When I first began homeschooling, I thought it was something I had to do, something God called me to do, but I didn’t expect to like it. I was surprised by how much we enjoyed homeschooling. However, this past school year, it felt like more of a chore, as I orginally expected it would be. This was in large part because I faced challenges teaching one of my children who doesn’t learn in the same way or at the same pace as my others.
We just started our almost-summer break, so I’m back to being just another parent whose children are off school. We’ll educate on a much less formal level over the summer. Once I am feeling rested and re-freshed, I plan to re-examine my teaching methods and the materials we use. I want to re-gain the initial joy that I felt when I first began homeschooling. Maybe if I remembered to view homeschooling as something God calls me to do, as I first did, I might find the joy again.
I guess I hadn’t really thought of homeschooling as a separate vocation. I consider it part of my vocation to marriage. The vocation to marriage called us to be open to parenthood. All parents teach their children, whether they officially “homeschool” or not.
I was a reluctant homeschooler. We sent our children to private schools, then moved to an area with supposedly “good” public schools. We disliked the public schools and found homeschooling the only other available option. Several years later, we continue to homeschool our younger children, but our high schoolers attend a private Catholic high school.
When I first began homeschooling, I thought it was something I had to do, something God called me to do, but I didn’t expect to like it. I was surprised by how much we enjoyed homeschooling. However, this past school year, it felt like more of a chore, as I orginally expected it would be. This was in large part because I faced challenges teaching one of my children who doesn’t learn in the same way or at the same pace as my others.
We just started our almost-summer break, so I’m back to being just another parent whose children are off school. We’ll educate on a much less formal level over the summer. Once I am feeling rested and re-freshed, I plan to re-examine my teaching methods and the materials we use. I want to re-gain the initial joy that I felt when I first began homeschooling. Maybe if I remembered to view homeschooling as something God calls me to do, as I first did, I might find the joy again.
D
DewiSant
Guest
Home schooling is a vocation. Our decision to do so wasto help our children grow in faith through knowing and loving God. We also felt that we were the best people to decide on the education decisions of our children.
O
OrdainedPraise
Guest
It is wonderful to hear from you. A vocation is a summons or a strong inclination to a particular state or course of action. Many homeschoolers have said that God has called (summoned) them to this. I have to add something to arrive at this point. Maybe it just comes from being a mother. For me - the decision to homeschool was like a strong inclination to meet the needs of my children. Maybe God called me through the eyes of my children. My children seemed to be crying out, “I NEED YOU.” Years ago, we enrolled my oldest at the public school for kindergarten. Unfortunately, I encountered some things I wasn’t happy about that acted as a sort of catalyst for our homeschooling decision. I felt that my children were too valuable to have to experience any unnecessary ‘fires’ to be put out. We were also on a mission for God and didn’t have time to limit our quest for knowledge and our learning to serve others on someone else’s schedule. We were already learning about humility from a Christian’s perspective. I found it to be very helpful in taking that initial step to homeschool as one is leaving something (assistance/teachers/school/etc.) that appears to be very attractive. On the outside, you become much smaller when you homeschool. But on the inside, you can encounter that “pearl of great price.” I too had an initial feeling of joy the first year we homeschooled. It’s always nice to think about rekindling that ‘heaven on earth.’ Don’t worry if it is different from year to year. I guess it can be like rekindling your love life too. As husband and wife - we appear to be no longer “in” love (that puppy love feeling in the beginning) - we now have “become” love. It is like paving a path to encounter the closest thing to the pure love of God. Yes, Christ has opened the gate - but we can help pave the path to get to the gate. Are we buying the “stairway to heaven?” Not with money but with our daily encounters of giving to those who need and accepting our responsibilities as parents. Listen to this song and get lost in its meaning.
B
buckr02
Guest
This may be how you found your own situation to work, but mine is different in that I already know I want to homeschool. It’s actually a very important aspect for me, and I’m thinking it may be a determining factor in my decision to marry a particular person. I just have to wonder how many women want to homeschool? It seems like the added work may be unattractive.
E
Eden
Guest
Yes! I homeschool my children, too.
O
OrdainedPraise
Guest
I’m not sure what work your referring to. Sometimes when one works to hard for a mate - it can be frustrating. Let the Holy Spirit guide you. Do you know what work your referring to?
O
OrdainedPraise
Guest
It is interesting to think about homeschooling as a vocation. When one finally chooses the college courses for a career path they usually receive a strong inclination for their particular field of study. I can say that there are similarities that attracted me to my chosen field of study, homeschooling, and my faith. Think about these things in your own life. Maybe I can delve into this more later as my children need me at the moment. If anyone has ideas - please share.
O
OrdainedPraise
Guest
I was typing too fast. My faith never really had to attract me. It was always there and feels like it is part of me. More important than the air that I breathe. Nevertheless, If one is a convert to the faith - this may apply to them. Maybe this mistake is good. For further analysis, we have our chosen field of study, homeschooling, and faith to think about. Why isn’t motherhood/fatherhood in here? We can add it.
O
OrdainedPraise
Guest
My faith requires me to begin with the area that is the most overlooked and the source from which family life flows: motherhood and fatherhood. Just as a homeschool mom attends to the child with the greatest needs first - the area that many struggle with and is overlooked at times is the one that seems to need attention. There exists a strong inclination in many many people to enter into motherhood or fatherhood. This is normal. Which should come first (or is there an order): 1) the desire to be a mother or father, or 2) the need to find a spouse? Can thinking about this prevent some of the sexual promiscuity in our society? My husband and I are experiencing the requirement of showing our children how to be good mothers and fathers along with their academics. Even if they do not get married - they will quite possibly serve families in some way. Families are the foundation of our society and we need to keep the family as God intended it to be. “The two become one.” Which two? The only two made for marriage are husband and wife. There are no other two. It just so happens that in our family unit - mom (me) is best at meeting the needs of the younger children a good part of the time (not all). We’ve been blessed to be able to send our 2 high school sons to an all-male Catholic High School. I noticed that the boys got to the point where they were not receiving enough stimulation and I was too busy with the younger ones to effectively provide this to them. A stimulus is something that rouses or incites to activity. Boys seem to need this - but - what is the stimulus and what is the activity? It’s gotta be the right thing. I’ll have to leave you on this note.
P.S.- If I sound sexist, you can tell me. Please be kind. My baby has been up and once he sees me - he will climb out of the crib. (Not with Daddy) Do they make bigger cribs yet? Am I stimulating him?
P.S.- If I sound sexist, you can tell me. Please be kind. My baby has been up and once he sees me - he will climb out of the crib. (Not with Daddy) Do they make bigger cribs yet? Am I stimulating him?
O
OrdainedPraise
Guest
LOOKING FOR ADVICE: Can anyone recommend good ways to stimulate your sons’ interests toward the proper areas and effective ways to get fathers involved in homeschooling?
O
OrdainedPraise
Guest
I think I misunderstood your statement. I thought you meant the extra work finding a mate. Did you mean the extra work to homeschool? If this is what you meant - don’t think of it as extra work at first. Know that this is where your treasure lies. In the souls of your children. The hard part isn’t extra work - but - for me - juggling active young children when the older ones need more stimulation in their subjects. This is the challenge. Some babies are better behaved than others too. Mine all seemed to require alot from me as toddlers. All kids are different. My oldest son could have homeschooled because he is very independent. My #2 son needed more assistance. We are fortunate to have been able to find a very good school for them though while I attend to the three younger ones. I admire families that homeschool through the high school years. We just couldn’t do it at the time. It is so rewarding to be able to talk about the Lord with your child. His name, or something about his message, can come to mind in many areas. I have a huge stack of journals from my children where we just picked out the good qualities/virtues from the books we read and drew and wrote about them. Oftentimes, I think of my extra work as the housework not my homeschooling. I’m sorry I answered your question wrong.
W
wifenmommy
Guest
I LOVE hsing!! It is a vocation, and one that I love! I could not see myself doing anything but taking care of my little family and hsing! I truly in my heart feel this is a calling from God for me!
O
OrdainedPraise
Guest
One thing that may help you is that discussion and analysis became the heart of my curriculum from the kindergarten years. We had our religion as the foundation in all of our discursive reasoning as we focused heavily on writing. My children have been immersed in methods of thinking, arguing and expressing their conclusions using their faith as a guiding principle.
- Status