Rory and I don't have that concern when it comes to educating India. As a direct result of our parents' sacrifices, prayers and hard work, we are honored to continue the legacy they began with us. We pray that our daughter builds the same friendships, finds the same community and enjoys the same educational benefits we did. While we are different parents and different people than our parents are and while India is already all her own person presenting unique situations and decisions, ultimately our goal is to give our daughter just what our parents gave us.
What an honor.
Obviously, our parents were not perfect. I know it goes without saying that our childhoods were not from the fairybooks. But our parents laid a foundation, began the process of setting us apart while we were children and it has only blessed us. It inspires me now as a mom. And getting to go the annual Arizona Families for Home Education (AFHE) Home School Convention as a home-school mom, a second generation home-schooler, thrilled me.
Call me what you will, but I love home-schoolers. I adore denim jumpers (*note: I do not wear denim jumpers, merely admire and adore). I grin from ear to ear watching moms and dads huddle over curriculum books. I make special mention to tip my imaginary hat to the little boys in suits. I do not know why, but I just love it.
I love the uniqueness of home-schoolers. I am impressed always by their ability to remain set apart from the world. In it, but not of it. Loving it, but not living it. They are a special subculture, unique to themselves and no matter how many people try to document it, analyze it or demystify it, the lifestyle of a conservative Christian home-school family deserves respect. These people don't just talk it, they walk it. And I love it!
This year, Rory and I went merely as spectators, trying to glean and soak in as much as possible while still just getting our feet wet. But we ended up being pretty inspired!
The convention is a whole world unto itself--lectures, sales booths, a graduation. And the focus of it all? Christ. Jesus! Whether they are discussing how to make lap books or select curriculum or plan your day or budget your finances, it all comes back to serving Christ, remaining sensitive to the spirit of your child and serving Jesus. I think all Christians should hang out around here each year just because it is so spiritually rich.
Take for instance a lecture we heard on how dads can support moms in home-schooling. Blew our socks off. We expected the whole "Help around the house, grade papers, be the head of the household, call the shots and pray for submission." We ended up hearing, "If you are not listening to the heart of your wife everyday, that is wife neglect." "If your wife has to do the dishes, that is wife neglect." "If you are not hugging and sharing physical, non-sexual intimacy with your wife everyday, that is wife neglect." Huh? Well, sign me up for this lecture any day! He challenged husbands to put family before work (shared his own story as a top lawyer and how cutting back his office hours only blessed his efforts), called them to never expect submission but love as Christ even if she doesn't deserve it. He even, wait for it, called each husband to "shoot their TV" as Little Bear Wheeler used to. Some men raised their hands and voices at this--"What about sports? News?" He asked them how much their wife has sacrificed to home-school their children and told them television would be a drop in the bucket compared to what she has given up for the better of their family.
Oh yeah, preach it, baby!
Ok, so we got pretty inspired...
And that wasn't even the educational or directly spiritual lectures. Am I absolutely boring you with my gross enthusiasm?
Sorry. I can't help it!
We heard time and time again that education is discipleship and that discipleship is a scriptural charge to parents. That any establishment that teaches or advocates life without God is discipling in atheism. Scary, huh? But true.
When it came to educational philosophy, I was especially excited to find these women who were absolutely speaking my language. Educational philosophies are fairly scientific but intensely personal and you have to find what works for you. Charlotte Mason and the KONOS method are two symbiotic philosophies that have already given me direction with Dia.
And it's direction to simply let. her. play. Let her be young, be a child. And these women even had the scientific studies to prove its benefits--this is so helpful when you are making your own way with your own child! Not only do early reading and early preschool offer no educational benefits or "boosts", but it can actually harm them. While I am in no way, an "unschooler" (yes, this is a real term), I am completely of the mind that forcing education upon a young mind can only hurt both parent and child.
They shared the story of their daughter/sister who did not read until eight years old. Eight. I imagine that in formal educational training, this poor soul would have been allotted to the special needs group and never given much opportunity to learn. Clearly a bright child, she just wasn't ready until she was ready.
She's now a successful engineer. Extremely well-read and well-educated, she was given the chance to learn at her own pace and it ignited her academics. I want this for my children. Home-school is a unique venue to that end.
I could write pages (have already written pages...sorry!) about how this convention encouraged, inspired and united us. I am just so grateful for all the parents who forged ahead when it was even illegal to educate your own children. All those parents who kept on with it even when outside family members and friends frowned on and questioned them. I am so grateful for the parents who did what they knew was right even when no one else did. I am so grateful for my parents and my in-laws. They began the legacy and here we go following after them.
And being Gratitude Monday, let me continue my count...
91. My parents. Home-schooling lets you see all the ridiculous imperfections in both your parents and children--we came out loving each other all the more for them!
92. My in-laws. Dia and baby #2 will be richly blessed for the choices you made.
93. Celebrating the little things that really are big things when you're a papa and mama (and a husband who doesn't mind getting emotional with you over it).
94. The work of the Holy Spirit who gently leads you to an inconspicuous lunch spot only to be inspired to make a whole change.95. My husband--the papa who does everything FUN. (He sent me this picture while I was at Starbucks writing this...balloons and static electricity, I'm thinking...)
96. Unexpected faithfulness.
97. Enjoying my daughter's proud selection of clothing (She always enthusiastically nods her head and says, "ASKX?" when making sure it's okay...)
98. The grace of being able to go outdoors at least for a little each day first thing in the morning. Fresh air is good.99. A small fridge and the way it helps me keep budget.
100. Knowing you're not alone.
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