When we attended our first homeschool convention in 1982, we had the privilege of hearing Raymond and Dorothy Moore speak and teach about the benefits of tutoring and teaching your children at home. We read all of their books, and our resolve was strengthened to home educate our sons. Our oldest was only two at the time, but in the years to come, this conviction never wavered. 

While there is obviously a teaching component to schooling at home, we began to see that home education was as much a Christian lifestyle as an academic alternative. We simply did life together. Being together 24/7 provided an opportunity to not only teach reading, ‘riting, and ‘rithmetic, but model our faith as we read and studied God’s Word together.

Our commitment to follow Jesus was and is the governing motivation in our hearts. When someone would ask us why we homeschooled, we responded that our primary purpose as parents was to raise our children to live forever. Home education was an extension of our faith. As such it was not a preference which we reevaluated each year, but a deeply-rooted conviction that this was the best way to prepare them for life on this earth and for eternity. 

When I chose to follow Jesus, I was the first one in my family to make this choice. I did not ask my parents what they thought; I had made a decision. I was always a lone ranger and not averse to making decisions regardless of the cost. 

Looking back, I wish I had sat down with my parents and shared what we had learned about the positive aspects of home education. It would have been so healthy to hear and understand each other’s concerns. This could have been a wonderful time to hear each other’s heart concerns as well as an opportunity to show honor and respect to my mom and dad. But, alas, our family rarely addressed potentially divisive subjects in a healthy fashion. This was not something we did well in our home. I wish we had, but, sadly, this kind of sharing was rare. 

In addition to my own independent spirit, my mom was a public schoolteacher and a professional educator. Our decision to homeschool her grandchildren must have been hard for her to swallow. But I will never know; for we never did sit down and discuss those early days. I recall some unhealthy salvos which were fired during the first few years of our journey, but eventually the grandparents were won over by the fruit they saw in the boys' academic, moral, and emotional development. It didn’t hurt that our first-born son was reading at a junior high level when he was five.

My counsel to families now would be: Do your research; be fully persuaded in your own mind; then sit down, and be prepared to give a reason for why you desire to teach your children at home. “In your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15 ESV*). Honestly lay out your reasons; then with gentleness and respect, listen to their concerns. 

You might also consider inviting your parents to a homeschool convention. Some states offer free admission to grandparents. Let them meet other homeschool families, hear the speakers, and see the resources and options available to families today.

“Eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:3 ESV*),

Steve

Steve Demme is the author of Math-U-See and the founder of Building Faith Families. In addition to his weekly podcasts, he produces a monthly newsletter and other resources to strengthen and encourage parents. Learn more about these at www.buildingfaithfamilies.org.

*The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®) Copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved. ESV Text Edition: 2016 

The Smart Circuits: Games & Gadgets Electronics Lab, from Smart Lab Toys, is a fun learning kit intended for kids ages eight and up. It includes plenty of components, including a microprocessor module, battery module, variable resistor module, tricolor LED module, speaker module, photodiode module, tilt switch module, six-LED array module, two push button modules, thirty-one jumper wires, six base boards, and a forty-eight-page book with instructions for building a variety of projects!

In addition to the fifty projects in the book, you can also download eighteen additional projects from the website! Now that's a lot of fun! The first eleven projects in the book are very simple and are intended to be completed in order so that the user can learn the basic principles of electronics. Then the others can be done in any order you choose. This kit is available for just $49.99, and there are certainly plenty of activities there to keep any child busy for quite some time! The projects include a variety of games and gadgets, such as a sound box, a drag race game, a motion-sensing room alarm, a dance party light show, an electronic drum kit, and so much more! (. . .)

(Read the rest of the review.)

YOU can WIN this kit for your homeschool! 

TO ENTER: Email Kathleen with your name, mailing address, and phone number for contact purposes, with the subject line, “Smart Circuits” for a chance to win* it for your family! 

If you liked today's Homeschool Minute, please email the editors and tell us what part you liked most. It's a huge blessing to receive feedback!