I wrote this guest post about our decision to send our children to public school eight months ago.
The comments in that post really softened my heart to being open to God’s leading – to make the best decision for each child when it comes to school. But, we “knew” where He was leading. That’s why I wrote the post.
Wouldn’t you know, six months later, He spoke something very clear into our lives that was TOTALLY different than what I posted. TOTALLY.
So we listened. And talked. And prayed. And read. And listened some more.
And made a big decision.
For family and educational reasons, we have decided to homeschool Big J next year. I wasn’t excited about God’s push in that direction at first {I was a public school teacher for five years}, but He has changed my heart and now I can’t wait for the school year to start!
Just to clarify again: We are NOT choosing to homeschool for religious reasons at all. I still 100% support what I wrote eight months ago that we can raise strong Christian children AND send them to public school. The two don’t have to be mutually exclusive.
But I am now much more in tune to making educational decisions based on what is best for each child, and this is what is right for Big J right now. We’ll be evaluating what is best for him, Little J and our whole family each year, and trusting God to show us the way – He has for everything so far!
With all of that being said, one book that I was able to read early on in our decision-making process was an amazing resource.
The Ultimate Guide to Homeschooling by Debra Bell is an all-inclusive resource for anyone getting started in homeschool or a veteran looking to get re-energized or more organized. There are tips for every age student, every subject, every budget! And this revised, updated version includes recommendations for use of the internet and technology in homeschool.
I really appreciate the author’s honesty and humor in this resource – it was fun to read and that is a good thing when you’re looking fresh ideas and helpful tips in a whole new arena! I felt like I was talking over homeschool with a good friend as I read it!
The Ultimate Guide to Homeschooling is published by Apologia, one of my favorite companies for parenting resources – some of Sally Clarkson’s books are published by Apologia, as well as her daughter’s book, Read for the Heart (EVERY parent should have this book!). The Apologia science curriculum comes VERY highly recommended also!
So, as I eat my words from the earlier post and trust God, off we go, into the throes of planning for homeschool next year – another new adventure here at Home with the Boys!
{Say a little prayer for me?!}
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I received a copy of The Ultimate Guide to Homeschooling from Apologia at no cost to review. I was not compensated in any other way for this post, and all opinions are 100% my own.
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And here I am, joining in the Hip Homeschool Hop for the first time too!
I'm Erin, a wife, boy mom x 3, writer, and runner in Nebraska! I'm excited to share all my favorites relating to faith, family, fashion, and fitness in this space! Enjoy! 
As a homeschooling mother of 4, I know how challenging it is to take this leap of faith, but it is so awesome, and I am confident God will bless your journey! Blessings to you!
Thank you for the encouragement Kris!
That is so exciting! I will have to check out that book. 🙂
Thanks Heather! You will love the book!
I’m anxious to read your other post. I have 4 kids. 2 are in PS. 2 are heading there next year. We’ve always talked about homeschooling though it was never a goal…just always a possibility. I think we’ve made the right decision in sending our kids to PS…although I have a lot of fears about HS’ing…I don’t think I was missing God’s leading.
before we sent our oldest to PS, our HS discussions were all for spiritual reasons. however, it was more about fear really.
now oldest is finishing 3rd grade. we are back in the HS discussion this time. however this time it is different. it is ALL about education. when I sit and cry after a homework session because i see how far he has fallen behind in certain areas…and no one seems to care….i know that God may be leading us to that ever so overwhelming road.
so next year…I will have 3 PS school kids and 1 HS kid. at least that is the plan I believe:)
We will have to meet at relevant to see how our journeys’ are going:)
We will! I’ll be praying for you on the journey as well!
Erin, I was really surprised when I read your post, since I had read the original last year. We’ve been really happy home schooling our children and I’m definitely here for you if you have questions or concerns. God has a way of changing our thoughts, doesn’t He? Cody and I are in the midst of some major perspective changes and He’s leading the way into foreign territory as well. Blessings on your journey!
Surprise is right! Thanks for your encouragement Liz! And blessings to you in the foreign territory as well!
Erin! Even though I have known of your decision…I am still so excited for your family! One year at a time…one year at a time…that is what I keep telling myself. I will have to buy that book…I have a copy of something similar but it is really outdated.
Thanks so much Julie! Excited to be in this together!
good for you doing what’s best for your son! 🙂 Will be praying for you.
Thank you so much Randi – you are so sweet!
We have been homeschooling for 8 years. I will have one graduating this year. It has by far been the best decision we have made. However, you do have to follow God’s leading and take it year by year. That is what we do! If you have any questions about homeschooling, please just ask! I love to help new homeschoolers on their journey!
What a blessing Joy! I’ll be picking your brain 🙂
I fought the push to homeschool as well- but pulled them all out, and LOVE IT!
I love hearing that! Thanks for your comment!
I really can not think of anyone better suited to homeschooling than you. I have no worries for you at all. Enjoy!
Ok, you are too nice Mindee, but I appreciate the kind words 🙂
Stopping in from the homeschool hop! I just want to applaud you on truly listening to your heart and to God in regards to your children. Bravo…
Thank you Sarah! Glad to connect with you!
Wow – love your post, especially since I could have written it two years ago. 😉 We homeschool after having sent our oldest to public schools for almost four years. I can tell you it is A LOT of work, but it is so rewarding and I never dreamed my children would be this excited about learning. Many blessings to you!!
Oh Mary, I appreciate you sharing that! I know it will be a lot of work, but the rewards will be worth it! Thanks for your comment!
=)
I think you will do a FANTASTIC job homeschooling! This is our 3rd year officially homeschooling (7 1/2yo just started 3rd grade this month). Just this year made the leap into picking a lil’ from here and a lil’ from there (instead of using a all-in-one boxed curriculum) AND schooling year round.
It’s a lot of work … but you can do it! It is so exciting and such a blessing to be able to teach our daughter … and in a couple years our youngest daughter too (well, with official curriculum … we’re *always* learning around here lol)
I’ll be praying for you as you plan and prepare! I’m still “on the fence” with Jenny, but the plan is “currently” to home school her in the fall too.
Congrats on your decision to homeschool. Have fun!
Stopping by from HHH!
Wow- way to open up your heart to HIS guidance!
We are in our 4th year of homeschooling, 2nd year using Sonlight- we have had mostly positive experiences but those few negative ones appear from time to time. {Just normal stuff}
I hope that it will be a great and joyful journey for your family as it has been for ours!
For years, I told my homeschooling friends I could never homeschool for various reasons and then….well this is our 2nd year homeschooling our daughter, because it’s the best thing for her right now. And we love it!!! However, our son attends school, because it’s best for him right now. Kudos on knowing what your son needs right now.
So glad to have you as a friend and neighbor to be in cahoots with as we begin this journey along side of you!! ((and I may have to borrow that book!))
I love how flexible and open you are toward where God may lead. We’ve homeschooled all but two non-consecutive years. If you told me, when we launched this journey, that I’d be homeschooling high school students, I’d have laughed so hard I’d have started to choke and ask for a few minutes to compose myself and take some sips of water. But here I am!
I had that Debra Bell book (an older edition) and appreciated her advice. About two weeks ago I sent it off via PaperbackSwap.com to someone else who may be beginning his or her homeschool adventure!
Hey friend! I’m SO excited that you joined us for the first time and I’m even more excited you’re going to be homeschooling. Really excited! We can go through K together 🙂 How exciting!
Congrats on making the right decision for your family. I am a homeschooler of eleven years –with one child in public school and another graduating this year through an independent study program and three more at home. different things are right at different time.
Yeah for decided to homeschool next year! GREAT REVIEW!
I actually did send my oldest son to public school for 4 years and then God told me to home-school too. He opened the doors to make it possible and I took the leap. In trusting in God and following His requests, he opened an even bigger door for our children. Homeschooling wasn’t his ultimate plan, private Christian School was. Either way, God is calling more and more families to protect their children from the secular stronghold that public schools have on our children. When they are in church it makes it so much harder to break through that stronghold that the world has on our children. Bravo for listening to God. He’ll bless you in more ways than you can imagine.
So glad to see you featured on HHM today! Great blog! I am so glad you are homeschooling. I can’t wait to see your posts a year from now and how it has impacted your family.
Nice to meet you via Hip Homeschool Moms! Your site is fabulous! And congratulations on your decision to homeschool. I have four children and I’ve learned so much by having them home with me. I look forward to following your site and encouraging one another.
Carrie
Just doing some blog reading and saw this post! I can SO relate, as our decision did NOT come easy years ago, and I taught pubic school for 5 years also!!! Now, years into it, we KNOW this is what God wanted for our family. We take things one year at a time and one child at a time.
Prayers for you as you enter this new world!!! 😉 Carisa
Hi there….stopping over from the Homeschool Hop. I love your honest heart and your open heart. Listening to what the Lord tells us is soooo important to educating our children.. I am a homeschooling mom to 3 (my 1st older son was not homeschooled)…and love it, blog about it and cant get enough of it! Although my husband and I are not “anit-public school” we are “pro homeschool”…
Peace to your heart and praying for your journey!
Melissa