Many years ago (about 25 now) I was discussing homeschooling with a public school teacher.  She was patiently trying to convince me that homeschooling was an untried method and the “report card” on schooling at home wasn’t in yet.  I was a young and untried mom at the time so I just patiently listened to her – not taking her advice.

I have schooled the children at home since my oldest was in first grade and the report card on homeschooling is in for us.  While I don’t have any rocket scientists amongst my progeny, I am happy to say that all the older students are excellent readers and can hold their own in math.  They each have excelled in their chosen fields.

What is more, though, they have something public schooled students don’t have.  The ability to learn – anything!  That counts for more than any 12 year imprisonment just to keep kids out of employment and off the streets.  My kids may not have all their geographical terms down or know all the names of the US Presidents in order (well, my son, Matt, does and knows their wives, when they served, and whether they take milk in their tea!)  But they know how to find out!!  My kids can converse with the elderly in a friendly, cheerful way as they can with little kids.

You know what my kids missed not going to public school?  They missed trying to slide by the smokers who stand at the school gates.  They missed being taunted and teased for being different.  My daughters and sons missed taking showers in PE and how demeaning it is to be smaller, bigger, fatter, skinnier than the other kids.  They missed feeling left out because the guy/girl they liked didn’t choose them for the dance.

Well, I don’t apologize for that. Their dad and I didn’t purpose to raise them to be street wise but God-wise.  There is time enough to get wise to the world.  Innocence once lost is gone.  Sure it is awkward  or uncool to not know who Britney Spears is (I still don’t know or CARE!) when you are hanging out with people that spend all their free time zoned out in front of a video game with rock music thrumming in the background.

Homeschooling is becoming more and more the choice of parents, Christian or otherwise.  Parents are realizing that their kids will get better learning at home with close to one on one training in the 3 Rs PLUS lifestyle learning: planning meals, repairing tools, fixing a car, balancing a budget, dealing with peers and non-peers alike, …

Yes, the report card is in and as a choice for educating young people to become solid adults – it gets all A’s.