I always knew I'd be a homeschool mom. I trained as a teacher, worked as a teacher, and always looked forward to teaching my own children. Our homeschooling family is now active in the Spanish homeschool movement, and I have even enjoyed speaking to homeschoolers and writing a Spanish homeschool curriculum.
So why on earth would we stop homeschooling in the middle of the year?
Let me start by clarifying that while we love homeschooling and yes, even promote it, we have never held to or proclaimed the idea that homeschooling is the ONLY way to educate children or that it is ALWAYS the BEST way.
We DO believe strongly in parental involvement, oversight and responsibility, regardless of how you choose to educate your children. And we believe parents are in the best position to decide how each of their own children should be educated at any given time. That being said, here are the reasons we are not homeschooling this semester:
Reason #1 – Life
This semester we have chosen to embrace life over education. This is what Marianne Sunderland calls a Grace Year. In this pregnant season of life, with four young children and a baby on the way, the thought of schooling three different grade levels while entertaining a toddler and tending a newborn on top of our ministry and business obligations is completely overwhelming. We didn't feel that I (or the rest of the family) would be able to enjoy any of it, for the pressures of having it all to do. We believe God is giving grace to choose to enjoy life over formal learning for this season.
Reason #2 – Language
Our two oldest children are attending a local Christian school this semester, not because of the academics, but because every class and activity is taught in Spanish and every child and teacher there speaks Spanish. This will be a great boost to their language acquisition, and it comes at a great age, as they are young enough that any educational gaps can be quickly brought up to speed in the coming year.
They will also be taking music classes there, and participating in a children's choir. Great experiences that we just simply haven't had time for yet at home. We may still do some science and history together a few times a week, and read alouds are not really school (are they?). But for this season, we are choosing language for our biggers.
Reason #3 – Little People
Our two youngest often unintentionally get pushed aside while Mommy is busy with the biggers' daily instruction. They get included as often as we can include them, but they hear “Just a minute, Mommy is busy.” way too often. Because we are not homeschooling the oldest two this semester, I have more time to devote to my little people. Playing, giggling, listening, cuddling, training, and teaching Kindergarten skills. I am choosing to enjoy my little ones more in this season.
Reason #4 – Leave, Maternity Leave, that is.
Our baby is due in a few weeks and no matter what your profession, you know that maternity leave, rest, and recuperation is a necessary part of this exciting and life changing event. Our older two will not lack structure in their days. Our little ones will get the privilege of helping out more in the mornings while the biggers are in classes. And Mommy will not have to feel guilty about resting and enjoying the new baby because there won't be nearly so much on the to-do list. We are choosing to enjoy our expanding family for this season.
Reason #5 – Logistics
I googled the word logistics and found this definition: “the detailed coordination of a complex operation involving many people, facilities, or supplies.” And it has as synonyms: organization, planning, plans, management, arrangement, administration, orchestration, coordination, handling, running, and more. As a ministry family, we have several big projects and events coming up this year that may never be repeated, and that are going to need quite a bit of logistical work.
I am not super woman, and though he is my Hero, my husband is not super man. By making certain prayerful and conscious choices for this semester, we are choosing to guard ourselves against possible burnout, in an effort to do all things well.
Do we have plans to continue this non or partial homeschooling trend? No, we fully expect that this season may never come again. And we are looking forward to personally teaching all of our childrens' academics once again for the next school year with renewed vision and fervor for having had a season of rest from it. But we are also embracing with joy the experiences, the learning, and the growth that God is providing for our family in this season.
Why are you homeschooling, or not, this year?
What about you? Why are you doing what you're doing as far as your children's education is concerned this year? Is God telling you to homeschool and you don't want to? Is he telling you that you need a grace year? or a grace semester? That you need to let someone else assist in your child's education in a certain area, or for a certain time? Don't be afraid to follow God's plan for your family.
To everything there is a season. And homeschooling, while great, for the most part, is not the most important thing in life. Life, as God wants you to live it, is the most important.
Carol Meyer says
What a wonderful opportunity!! We put our oldest in Mexico’s Kinder for one year before starting homeschool. She loved going to school each each day, making friends, learning new things. It was wonderful. I hope the experience is the same for yours and that you have a wonderful second term with the littles and the new baby!
Katie Hornor says
Thank you Carol, for your sweet comment.
Christina says
Thank you for this. We have been homeschooling, and I still recommend homeschooling to others. Today My older children enrolled in school. It is what our family needed, for several of the reasons you listed, even though it wasn’t what I expected. I needed this to show up in my feed today.
Katie Hornor says
Blessings on you Christina. I hope this semester will be a great one of joy, rest and sweet times for your family. No one is better because they homeschool or not as good as others if they don’t. The most important thing is to follow the Lord’s leading for your family. Happy you are doing that.
LauraOinAK says
We are a hybrid homeschooling family this year as one son is attending a local charter school. (I wrote about it here: https://daybydayinourworld.com/2013/09/becoming-a-hybrid-homeschool-family/) Next year I might have a second son going to a school (boarding school) as they offer a program we could never duplicate in our home.
I think what we need to remember is that what is best for our family will change over time and we should lead where the Holy Spirit leads us. Wishing your children well in their new environment.
Katie Hornor says
Thank you Laura.
Shecki says
People always look at me with shock when they find out I homeschool some of my kids but not all of them. Our motto is: Education is a year by year, child by child decision. I have one in private, one in public, and 3 homeschooling. It’s working for us.
Kudos to you for making the decision that suits your family the best at this stage.
Katie Hornor says
Shecki, that is wonderful! Thank you for sharing your encouragement!
Sharla says
I totally agree with Shecki. For us, it is a year by year, child by child choice – to some extent of course. There are a few of our kids that will likely never go to school but one of our kids is in the Christian high school and has been there for two and a half years. It’s working really well for him and it’s what we needed to do at the time for our family. He knows he’s welcome to come back to homeschooling if he ever decides to. Our younger five are still homeschooling and for this year, it’s the perfect environment for them – well, maybe not perfect, but it’s working! Blessings to you and your family as you go through this big transition of a new family member!
Sybil Brun says
I have not heard about the term grace year, as specific as that, but it fits exactly with an open-handed approach I believe in for life in general… I am curious to read that now! We have had many different seasons in our homeschooling as well and have needed this grace! Glad you are following the Lord’s leading in your life! Congratulations on your upcoming baby blessing!
Katie Hornor says
Thank you Sybil.
melyssa says
So relatable to me! I put my three kids in a Waldorf charter school last year (to the shock of some family and homeschooling friends). Not only has it been wonderful, but I am still writing columns for Homeschooling Educating Family, and a homeschooling guide for MaryJane’s Farm. Just because I am not doing it myself at this point, doesn’t mean I can’t be a strong advocate and leader in that world! Next year, we will probably bring the eldest back to homeschooling, and keep the other two in school. Keep on keeping on, little mama!
Katie Hornor says
Thanks for the encouragement Melyssa.
llmom says
I just found this post but wanted to say thank you for saying what many homeschoolers dont want to admit. After homeschooling for the last 19 years, a ll of my remaining 5 children will be in school (4 were in last year with only one at home) It took me a while to do what God was asking because of such a big change, but it has been so good for our family.
Katie Hornor says
Good for you! You are unique and your family is unique. You must do what God has called you to do for your family. Our allegiance is to him, not to an educational system or method.