Gratitude Challenge Day 14: Homeschooling

It's Day 14 of the Gratitude Challenge! I'm thoroughly enjoying this series - both the reading and the writing!

Today, I am thankful for the place that homeschooling has in our lives. It's a fantastic blessing that I could not have imagined in my wildest of teenage dreams, and I wouldn't change it for a second.

I've already written a bit about our homeschooling history as well as what we are using this year. This post will have a very different feel. But, it's where my heart is today.

* Psst.... Disclaimer Here *

In no way does my love of homeschooling or views on parenting mean that I am sitting in judgment of those who choose a different education for their children. I am thankful that we live in an age where we have choice... homeschooling, private school, or public school. No one choice is perfect for each family. Though we are committed to homeschooling we are more committed to following the Lord's leading. Our journey doesn't need to look like yours. Just a little side note for my non-homeschooling friends who read this blog!

Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it. Proverbs 22:6 (NIV)

We firmly believe that it is our duty as parents to train our daughter: to be a strong Christian firm in her beliefs; to be an educated young lady with the ability to find the information she requires on the path the Lord gives her; and to be a polite and responsible member of society. Homeschooling is how we choose to do that.

To be a strong Christian firm in her beliefs...

How wonderful that we live in a country where we can still stand up for our beliefs without becoming a martyr! Granted, things have changed and continue to change, but this is a post about homeschooling not politics. ;) We believe that it is first our duty as parents to teach our daughter how to understand and respond to Scripture and the Lord's leading. I've beaten myself up over the years for not teaching this or that in such and such order. Then one day it hit me. I am not strong enough to take down God's plan for her! I can't mess her up if I am choosing everything through prayer. If we teach her to do all things through prayer she will also learn how to follow His leading in her future as well.

To be an educated young lady with the ability to find the information she requires on the path the Lord gives her...

I feel so blessed that we have so many materials at our disposal in this day and age! A big thank you to all of those moms and dad that homeschooled prior to the day of the Rainbow Resource catalog. Because of you and your desire to ferret out and request high quality information and materials for your children can those of us in today's homeschool community choose from an immeasurable amount of curriculum sources. (Ok, so we could could them. I don't want to try. And, I don't know who has yet!) Thank you, THANK you, THANK YOU!

To be a polite and responsible member of society...

Whoever thinks that homeschoolers aren't socialized needs to read a few articles or have a few conversations with a homeschooler or two! Yup. We're a chatty bunch. Though most expect us to be home all the time we actually beg for a home day or two a week! We are so blessed to have so many opportunities for our children. Art classes at the rec center... homeschool groups for a variety of needs... field trips all around town. That's just the start of it! I know that not all cities are likes ours. We have so many opportunities in our local homeschool community and though I frequently lament about how I miss the South where I grew up (and I do!) I have to remind myself that we have such a blessing in our local community. I am also thankful to have an active church community that can help her in that goal as well.

Homeschooling has blessed us during times of struggle and times of triumph. We are so thankful that we have the right to choose homeschooling for our daughter!

Head over to check out today's entries in Garden of Learning's Gratitude Challenge. You'll be blessed!