The Question

Because NG is entering her last year of middle school, I have gotten the question, more than once, "What about high school?"  So, these are my thoughts about homeschooling, in a nutshell.

Obviously I am a firm believer of homeschooling otherwise I wouldn't be doing it.  I am a huge proponent of homeschooling in the elementary school age.  I think it provides a great opportunity to build a wonderful biblical and educational foundation.

I am also a firm believer of homeschooling in middle school.  Being a teenager can be hard.  So much going on emotionally, physically, spiritually and mentally.  It is a great time to give my kids short wings.  To experience some of life and to sow and reap etc.  But, we are always a conversation away.  When "stuff" happens and it does, no matter what.  We get to discuss much of it almost immediately.  There is still time for guidance and reassurance and some times redirecting.  Little by little preparing them to leave the nest.

As for high school, I am not planning on sending any of them to high school.  I would like to finish what we started.  But, I will never say never.  I have been alive too long to know that things change.  That being said, there are soooo many wonderful opportunities for high school homeschoolers.  Dual enrolment at the local community college, co-ops, writing and science classes offered.  Flexibility for work, travel, missions etc.

I don't have to know everything.  But, I know people who do know a lot of things about certain things.  And I will go to them as resources.  I also know that my kids know how to find out about things.  It is rare I answer a question for them.  They usually are expected to find out for themselves.  I was once told by a veteran homeschool mom while in the grocery store, "When asked by curious people about a certain subject, topic, date in history etc. just encourage your children, if they don't know the answer to reply 'We don't know the answer to that but we can certainly find out.'"  In other words, it is impossible for me, or any other teacher, to ever be able to teach everything to every student.  But, if we teach our kids how to find out information, how to research and know their way around a library and/or the Internet, we are doing more than OK.

So, we are a year away from high school.  And my educational plan has not changed.  Homeschool all the way through . . .

Hope Chest

I have decided that I want each girl to have a "Hope Chest."  I just finished googling hope chests and what exactly goes in them and what their purpose is.  My thougths and ideas on them were not too far off from what their orginal intentions were.

I am going to take what I read, moderize it just a little bit and start one for each girl using things that I feel will benefit them some day to be wives, mothers, friends and followers of Christ.

I printed off a basic list from the Internet.  I am going to put it in a file and I am going to make notes as things come to me.  I am not exactly sure what type of box I will use.  A lot will depend on each girls personality.  And how much stuff I am going to collect.  The actual box will not be as important as the treasures and wisdom on the inside.

I will include books that have pointed me in the right direction.  If I do not include the actual book, I will include a list of them with descriptions and why I felt they were helpful.  I will also be sure to include the names of my all time favorite books such as Gone With the Wind and Uncle Tom's Cabin.

I have told them what I am planning on doing and the first thing we are going to get is a recipe box for each one.  Little Mama is already telling me what recipes she wants to include.  There will be a basic cook book and maybe some items that we see that each girl takes a shine to.  Maybe a candlestick or special plate.  Definitely journals and stationary.  The bigger girls and I have started journals to each other.  One day I write to them something that is on my heart.  And then, when they desire to write back, they do.  Those journals will be included.

I have memory boxes for each child.  At some point I will go through those and put some of the more memorable art work, cards etc. into each of their hope chests.  Each child also got their very first ornament on the Christmas the year they were born.  I will pass that on when they leave the house to set up their own Christmas tree.  (And maybe an ornament or two that they especially liked.)

I think I will include a special bible and a list of poignant Scripture verses.  And, I will try to include as much as I know about our ancestry.  Also, as a gift when each girl was born they each received  their very first book.  That will be put in it as well.

I suppose the list could go on and on.  As I think of things that would encourage each of my girls to be a Godly woman, wife, mother and friend, I will make a note and work on including it.

It will be a work in progress over the many years we have together.  But, every thing around here seems to be a work in progress. . . .