This is episode # 2 Why We Decided to Homeschool

Are You Interested in Homeschooling?

Do you feel a pull towards homeschooling? Are you seriously considering this alternative? I did.

When the idea was planted into my heart, I was resistant. There are many things I did not want to give up. And I certainly didn't want to add more to my plate.

But I learned, that this adventure can be one of my greatest challenges and one of my greatest joys.

I've been homeschooling since April 2019, and I can tell you that it is all worth it! All the struggle, all the frustration, all the fatigue... It is ALL worth it. It's a small price to pay for what you will receive as you invest in your children.

It is my hope that when others see what I do and how I do it, that they will take that leap of faith forward and experience joy and success.

I'd like to tell you about... Our Homeschooling Journey.

I have been a homeschooling advocate for many years. Before I had children, I received a Master's in Education, and for my thesis I choose to write about homeschooling and socialization.

When my son turned 5, I tried to homeschool but I was inconsistent. We had a newborn at that time and shortly after that we moved to another state. After our move, we felt inspired to enroll our son in a Christian private school nearby. I was hesitant, but as I prayed about it I had the thought that I needed to “let go” of my son and allow him this experience.

As we researched this private school, we were very impressed. We felt that there was no better school we could ever send our child to. We were confident that we could trust the teachers and the faculty. This school offered our son so much more than we could offer at home.

After submitting our application, we were interviewed and hoped that our son would get accepted. Against all odds, he was accepted and started kindergarten the following school year.

We were delighted with his experience in Kindergarten. However 1^st grade was completely different. It seemed as though our son was being held back and was not able to progress at his own level and pace. Homework turned into a chore and power struggle. The level of education he was receiving seemed to dramatically drop and we hoped things would improve the following year.

After attending a parent conference night, my husband received the strong impression that the school board was making decisions that would take it in a direction we were NOT comfortable with.

Having my son in school during the day lightened my load. I did not want to give that up. I also didn't know how I could teach a 2nd grader and a Kindergartener, while also caring for a toddler and a newborn. The task seemed overwhelming. I didn't feel ready to start homeschooling, but I couldn't deny the feeling that keeping my son in school would be a mistake.

After a lot of prayer, in April 2019, my husband and I took our son out this private school and begin homeschooling. It was not easy, but proved to be was one of the greatest decisions we’ve made.

10 Main Reasons Why We Homeschool

1. Protection

This is a big one. We want our children to be taught light and truth. Mikael from The Monson Schoolhouse has a very informative video on this topic. Check out “Draw Your Line in the Sand. Now.”

2. Influence

We want to remain the primary influence in our children's lives.

3. Freedom

We are free to choose the curriculum and style that fits the needs of our family.

Our children can move through the material at their own pace. They are not stuck at a grade level all year. They also won’t be “left behind” or sitting in the classroom bored.

4. Flexible Schedule

We get to decide our daily routine and schedule for the year. We can take vacations when it's convenient.

5. High Quality Education

My children get one-on-one attention and tutoring. In addition, they get to learn high quality material that is wholesome, uplifting, and valuable.

6. Shorter and More Productive Days

Homeschooling does not take 7+ hours a day like public school. When they’re done with their work for the day, they’re done… There is no extra busy work or homework.

7. Stronger Family Relationships

My children spend the majority of their time at home instead of at a public school. Everyday is filled with quality family time.

8. Better Health

We are able to avoid a lot of sickness being at home. We have plenty of outside time and exercise everyday. Our children's nutritional needs are easier to manage at home, which is especially important since we carefully monitor our diets.

9. Increased Spirituality

We have plenty of time for Family Scripture Study. Daily we engage in gospel-centered discussions.

10. Social Skills

People often believe that homeschooled children don't have the same social opportunities as children that are in school. We have found the opposite to be true. Our children are not limited to interacting only with children of their own age. Instead they have learned how to make friends with anyone of any age.

The feedback we most commonly receive from others is that our children are very friendly, sociable, outgoing, and well-behaved. The key issue with putting 30 kids of the same age together for numerous hours each day, is that their social interactions reflect the (often inappropriate) behavior of their peers.

Videos: Check out why other Mom's choose to homeschool.

Why Homeschool? By The Good and Beautiful

Why Homeschool your kids? Why my kids are home? By Jady (500k Youtube Subscribers)

The Uncensored Reasons We Decided to Homeschool Part 1

Common Challenges

Is homeschooling a challenge? Yes! Absolutely! But the benefits out-weigh the sacrifices and struggles. Some of the struggles I've faced are the following:

- Multiple Children: It's been very challenging at times to homeschool multiple children while caring for a toddler and a baby. It can feel like juggling.

- Power Struggles: There are times when my children do not want to do their school work. This is tough and can cause delays and throw off the schedule. In these moments, I try to be more flexible.

- Distractions and Interruptions: The doorbell rings, Daddy walks in, little brothers are playing loudly nearby, etc...

I do NOT let these challenges stop me from homeschooling. These challenges remind me that I need help from above. As I work in partnership with the Lord, I know that I am not alone in this great work.

I am filled with so much gratitude that I have the privilege and opportunity to homeschool. It has brought so much joy into my life.

Video: Fears & Lies About Homeschooling/ Reasons Why People Think They Can't Homeschool

Thank you for taking the time to listen to my podcast.

This is episode # 1 The Importance of Creating A Christ Centered Homeschool

My name is Sally.

-My husband and I have been married for 18 years.

-We are the parents of four adorable boys.

-I am a stay at home mom and I have been homeschooling my children for almost 3 years.

-We are devoted disciples of Christ, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

-Our family mission statement is to “Build Our Eternal Family”.

These are the last days. We live in a very wicked world.

“We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world” (Ephesians 6:12).

We can NOT be causal in our commitment to bring up our children in the ways of the Lord (Ephesians 6:4).

The scriptures promise us, that if our foundation is built on Christ, that when the storms come, we shall NOT fall.

“Remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall” (Helaman 5:12).

This promised blessing requires a Christ Centered Home. And even better, a Christ Centered Homeschool.

Many homeschooling curriculums today are secular. There is no connection to God.

When we are disconnected, we forget who we are, why we are here, and our purpose in this life.

This is building a house on sand. And we know that the foolish man built his house upon the sand.

We must be more intentional in our teaching efforts.

The Lord has said, “Organize yourselves; prepare every needful thing; and establish a house, even a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God;

That your incomings may be in the name of the Lord; that your outgoings may be in the name of the Lord; that all your salutations may be in the name of the Lord, with uplifted hands unto the Most High (D&C 88:119-120).

We must strive to teach in the Savior's way. There is a manual titled “Teaching in the Savior's Way”. I highly recommend that you read it, study it, and apply it. It will teach you how to help your children build their faith in the Savior and become more like Him.

That is the ultimate goal. We want our children to become like Jesus. We want them to return and live with him again.

We want to Build an Eternal Family.

As a homeschooling parent, I know that you are very dedicated and devoted to teaching your children. You understand that this sacrifice and investment of time in your children is priceless.

As a group, we are walking the road less traveled.

As a result, we need support. We do not have to walk this road alone.

I created our website and podcast with the intention to provide you with support and to share my knowledge on how to create a Christ Centered Homeschool.

Our efforts to teach our children have not been perfect but the results have bought forth good fruit (Matthew 7:16).

People often tell us that our boys are very well-behaved, intelligent, delightful, and filled with the light of Christ. These people want to know WHY our children are so different and unique.

In our Podcasts we hope to teach you:

-How to have success in your labors as you raise your children, even as the wages of sin will be raging around you.

-How to create a home that is a haven of peace, love, and security.

-How to raise children who remain precious and “pure in heart” (Matthew 5:8).

-How to live in this world, but NOT be of the world.

-How to stand firm and be a “Light unto the World” (Matthew 5:14-16).

-How to stand a witness of Christ at all times, and in all things, and in all places (Mosiah 18:9).

Thanks for listening to the podcast. I'm excited to share with you what I've learned and what am learning about creating a Christ Centered Homeschool.