So yes, we do homeschool. It is something we decided to do before our first daughter became school-aged. Do we believe every parent should homeschool? No. Do we believe our kids are more apt to follow Jesus because we homeschool? No. Are we better or more mature Christians and parents because we homeschool? Nope. We simply chose this road for our family.
BUT, through the years, we have been asked the same questions repeatedly. Some of them are from genuine interest, some have a bit of sarcasm in them, some are condescending, and some are from mere ignorance. I thought I'd share them with you.
1. Are you planning on homeschooling all through High School?
I would say this is the number one question we are asked? I always think the premise behind this question is, "Ok, now that you've had your fun homeschooling your kids through elementary school, don't you think its time to get serious now? Time to stop fooling around." Or "You can't seriously think you can do the job homeschooling through high school?"
Again, we are asked this so often that I don't think people realize what they are asking and what they are inferring behind the question. It's funny though when we answer in the affirmative, people simply say, "Ohhhhh..." There isn't much that follows.
2. What about socialization?
We received this question when we first started homeschooling quite often. Socialization does matter. But again, I think this has more to do with parents than kids. Parents need to consider this a priority, and so we have put our kids into all sorts of situations where they have to interact with other kids, from sports to girl scouts to leadership opportunities in different clubs and choirs to church youth groups to service opportunities.
3. Aren't you afraid they'll turn out to be weirdos?
Received this one too. For those who know our kids, I don't get too many strange looks at them thinking they're a bunch of little freaks. We don't dress them in coveralls and head coverings. They enjoy soccer and baseball and Clash of Clans and reading and playing board games with friends. They're invited to plenty of parties and gatherings. Not too many people think, "Oh, let's not invited those Shin kids. They're a bunch of weirdo homeschoolers." At least, I don't think so. They have plenty of friends they enjoy and I think those friends enjoy them, friends who are not homeschooled. And I have yet to hear anyone tell my kids they are freaky, homeschooled kids.
4. Are you equipped to teach your kids all of the subjects of homeschool?
In the early years, yes. But as the kids get older, no. I stink at math and science and my wife isn't much better. So we do outsource all of our classes when the kids get to high school. There are some really great low cost classes offered by community colleges. And there are plenty of other programs that are offered that enable our kids to have quality education, much better education than I even had and I want to a private school that was fairly rigorous (and much more expensive).
5. Aren't you afraid you'll "mess them up"?
I don't think fear should be the motivating factor of anything we do or do not do. But really, I would at least be equally afraid if not more afraid that my kids would be messed by friends or a renegade teacher at school than by our educational philosophy. But again, I'm not really afraid of either situation. That's what parenting is about, preparing kids for all circumstances.
6. What about missing out on evangelism opportunities?
I think this is one of the best questions I have been asked that needs to be addressed. There is some truth to this. However, like socialization, there are other plenty of opportunities outside of school. One simply needs to make this a priority. If parents don't see evangelism as a priority, they probably wouldn't care to share the gospel at school.
7. Aren't you limiting their college choices?
When my wife and I first started homeschooling, the one thing we wanted to do was to provide at least the "opportunity" for my kids to be able to go to any school. So on the homeschooling spectrum (yes there is a spectrum), we are probably more rigorous with our kids study than other homeschooling families. While going to Christian colleges, which is what many homeschooling families choose for their kids, can be a tremendous blessing, my wife and I wanted to give our kids the choice to be able to be used by the Lord wherever they go. So we are preparing them for all possibilities and we do not want them to be limited in their college choices. Again, not all homeschooling families feel the same about this.
8. Do you compare yourself to other families who aren't homeschooling?
My honest answer to this question is yes, and I believe it can be sinful and idolatrous. I have always asked myself, "What if so-and-so got into Stanford and my child got into 'lowest possible tier college,' would I have any regrets about homeschooling?" Or if my child went to a top-tier school, would it "validate" our choice of homeschooling? The temptation is real to answer "yes" to both. I battle this heart all of the time. I want to say, "All I care is that they follow Jesus all the days of my life." I believe this, know this, want this, and yet, the fleshly side creeps out and wants to say, "Jesus, can they get into a top-tier school AND follow you." So, all I can say it is a battle and I fight it through the gospel. Even if I had nothing, in Christ, I have everything.
9. What do your parents think?
My wife and I were not homeschooled. So truly, homeschooling is a foreign concept to them. But they have been generally supportive throughout, which frankly, is REALLY surprising.
10. Would you recommend it to others?
Yes and no. Again, this has to be a personal conviction. It is certainly not one I would in any way make prescriptive. But for those who have done the research, who find it is a good option for themselves, we would do all we could to share and explain our personal journey with them.