Our Reasons for Homeschooling: Part 1

Homeschooling. It's not for everyone, but for us it seems to be the right thing to do for our children and growing family. We have many people asking questions like why, how, what about post secondary education and aren't you afraid your going to ruin their future? I have also had people state that they won't get socialized, that I can't handle it and we should just put them in school, because it's convienient and I need to get a job.

Quite frankly I am getting a little tired with how rude and judgemental some people can be. I completely understand others being curious, I welcome questions from those who just want to understand why and how we do it. I don't welcome people making comments like "you are going to ruin their lives", yeesh talk about being dramatic. I am going to adress some of the questions and comments I have received so far. To give you a broader understanding of homeschooling and why we chose this path for our children.

Why? Why did we choose to homeschool?

It took us quite a while to decide which path we wanted to take for educating our children. We researched all options, spoke to other homeschooling families (past and present) and prayed about it. It's not a decision we came to lightly. The deciding factor is when we sent our daughter to a preschool.

She was not happy there, she fought us every morning, it was exhausting for all of us. Then when we picked her up after school, she didn't leave excited, like the other children. She was sad and depressed. It broke our heart to see our daughter going through so much, so young. When we approached the teachers they didn't have an answer for us, they blew off our concern, saying its normal. I disagree, a 4 year old should leave school happy, because it's about learning through play. It didn't sit right with us. We thought, is this what it's going to be like for the next 14 years?

She has been out of school for almost one year now and is so happy. She is growing and thriving. We are very happy with our decision.

How? How do you homeschool?

There are so many different ways to home school. Every child learns differently and every parents teaching style is different. We are so new to homeschooling that we are still trying to figure it out. There are so many online resources that you can find, and with a simple google search you can find many support groups in your area.

Right now since our daughter is only 5, we have been following her lead. Playing with her, teaching her through dress up and work books. Giving her as many opportunities to learn as we can.

We have joined a few homeschool groups. There we have been able to find support and have questions answered by other families who are seasoned homeschoolers. We have also found people who are new, like us, to share in our new knowledge and work together in figuring it out.

If homeschooling is something your considering, I urge you to research as much as you can and find these groups. Ask them questions. If there is one thing that homeschool families enjoy, it is having the chance to talk about their path in homeschooling.

The Miracle of Life

After the birth of my son, I realized I wanted to make a bigger impact on the birthing community. I decided the best way for me to do that was by becoming a Doula.

I've always had a passion for pregnancy and childbirth, even in my youth. My favorite class in high school was Biology and my favorite part of the curriculum was when we studied sexual reproduction.

As a child, my mom took a workshop and studied to become a postpartum Doula. Her stories of birth and babies were inspiring to me. Although, later she decided that it took her away from home for too long, especially since my brother was only a toddler.

I too have the same reservations, as both my children are quite young. I am afraid they will need me and I will be elsewhere. I am afraid to leave them with other people to care for them when I am called upon. I am afraid that I will end up missing out on so much of their lives.

I can't wait for them to grow up though, because I too will grow up. If not now, when? When they are older and in different extra curricular activities? When they want to be driven to their friends house to play or to babysitting jobs? No. Now is the time for me to get my career going. Its now or never.

Back to the subject at hand. Why? Why did I decide I want to be a Doula? I have a few different reasons why. I feel its a calling, the reason I am here. Is to help, women and their partners during the most precious time of their lives, in whatever way I am needed. To smell and possibly hold newborns, their scent is one of my favorites. To assist the family in their new roles. To help with any breastfeeding problems and give the new parents resources in the community, that may come in handy at later dates. To take care of some household chores, so they can bond as a new family with minimal interruptions. Those first few weeks are so precious.

My number one reason for becoming a Doula, is to play a small role in a big beautiful miracle. The miracle of life.