Homeschooling IS Working! (Part 1)

Everyday I worry if Luke is learning enough. Everyday I worry if I am going to fail him. Everyday I worry that I am not doing this right; right for Luke or right for me. (Not to mention if it is right for Ian who doesn't get two hours of dedicated learning each day!)

I absolutely love being a homeschooling family. In these short seven weeks I have seen lots of positive changes in Luke, changes that I firmly believe would not be happening if he was spending seven to eight hours a day away from our family unit. Luke has become a great team member to Ian, he often has his back and will tell us, "Just give him one more chance," or "Just let him do ___." He is teaching Ian daily, from teaching him totally new concepts to continuing to review the basics (colors, letters, numbers). He gets overly excited when Ian demonstrates a new skill, often clapping or cheering, sometimes slapping his hands over his mouth in surprise and joy! Luke often encourages Ian, "You can do it, it is hard, but you can do it." "Keep trying."

Yes, my kids still fight, they still grab from each other, Luke still pulls on Ian's clothes and Ian still hits Luke. But they share better, they are kinder, they hug and say, "I love you," daily (sometimes with prompting, but always with sincerity now). Luke might wish it was still just the three of us sometimes, but he does love Ian. A lot. Some of this is I am sure attributed to the loads of attention he gets while we do school. Who doesn't love "The All About Me" Show?

I suppose I could argue that if I would have just been more committed to lots of one on one or special time we would have seen these same improvements sooner. Maybe we would have. But I didn't give him two hours of undivided or almost undivided attention daily after Ian was born. I can't change that course. I know though, without a doubt, if Luke was in school, he would be getting even less attention from me...I honestly believe his rough relationship with Ian would have suffered more. Instead Luke sees our family as on a special journey, he has changed in the last seven weeks and it is beautiful.

Our primary reason for homeschooling is we believe learning character is far more important than learning any school subject. If our kids learn nothing except how to be kind, honest, loving, compassionate people, we will have succeeded. We would much rather our kids drop out of high school, but be kind, be honest, choose love before each reaction they give, and share joy in this world, than be a successful college grad with no passion for love and kindness. Of course, our academic goals are at least four year college degrees before age 23. But if we only get one (academic or character achievement), we will take love everyday of the week. So far, I feel like we are achieving that.

Homeschool is building the character we want to see in our children. Are we there yet? Not by a long shot, I am not even there. But this is the beginning and already we are seeing results.

Homeschooling is hard, exhausting, draining. It requires me to be "on" almost all the time. I am desperate for a break by the end of the day. However, I love it; the beauty and joy, the time together, the memories we make each day are far bigger and much more powerful than any of the challenges. Luke growing in love for his little brother is all the proof I need that we are on the right path for our family.