I am going to backtrack a bit here...when we (Brittany and I) began middle school I began to feel that pressure like all of us do...as a homeschooler...was I able to give her enough to "make it" in this world. Could I teach her enough to get her into college...would she be ready? All of these thoughts began to cover me and burden me and I ordered a boxed curriculum set and we began our middle school this way. It wasn't long before I realized that all my girl was doing was cramming for tests. Very little learning was going on...so, if I remember correctly...we took a long weekend, had a discussion of where we should go from here and I found Ambleside Online. I loved the fact that it was free as I had already spent a small fortune on a curriculum that I was not going to use. I was able to match up with a time period that we had already started and our school became a different in an amazing way. Fast forward to starting high school...still using the Charlotte Mason method, I was way more confident...and able to find books that worked for us...also, during this time, I began to pray in a different way.
I began to pray that God would lead us down a path that was designed strictly for her. I began to watch her and study her interests...when she developed an new one we explored it...some of them faded...but for the ones the stuck...we added them into our schooling. For the first time...we weren't doing "school at home" we were truly homeschooling...and she was thriving and everyday felt like an adventure. The Lord gave us what we needed each day to nurture her interests and help her mature in them.
These last few months...we have got the now dreaded question in our home..."What college are you going to?" And the looks of disapproval we get from those who ask, their upturned eyebrows when in fact my daughter tells them that she is not going to college. You would think that her plans were to become a couch potato...we try not to cringe...which is what was beginning to happen to us both...and trust in the One who has led us thus far. He holds to the key my dear friends to our children's future...
We do not have to mainstream our children into a system that tells us that we have to have the "college experience". In my daughters case...we have found alternate ways of certification that will not leave her with a huge debt upon her had after graduation. Her education and learning is far from over...it really has just begun. Thist feels good to me. I am not putting down college...not in anyway. For many if not most...this is the solution. For my daughter...we chose the alternative route.
The Lord has proven to us time and time again that His way is the best. She has now had two people take her under their wing in her dance teaching...last night she had an enlightening talk with her new boss...this woman is giving her opportunity to learn the ropes of a dance studio owner without any competitiveness...she knows that Brittany has a dream to own a dance studio someday...she is giving her opportunity to learn. It amazes me...that all of her favorite things that she has worked on these past years will again see her through her first job.
Being quiet...having complete trust that the God who created our children has a plan for each and every one of them...not allowing the pressure of the "world" to confuse us...but to truly listen to our children...more importantly our Lord. It is all in HIS plan!
As many of you are ready to begin your fall classes...I just want to encourage you this year to take the time to trust in Him. Enjoy your children, learn along side of them...find the adventure in your homeschool. Watch what God will do in the life of your kids.
Blessings!
Joyce Marie
Hi my friend,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your sweet comment this morning.
This post is so relevant to so many of us. It's something that has been an issue in my own home, between father and son. I always feel split down the middle. I know that God can take Ted anywhere God chooses - without a piece of paper to validate him. On the other hand, our world idolizes education, and have placed it at the top of someone's list of accomplishments. As a mom, I worry about the future and have a fear of Ted regretting his decision many years later.
Ultimately, I just want God's will for my kids.
Thank you for sharing your heart this morning.
I hope you have a wonderful weekend:)
Love,
Debbie
Hi.
ReplyDeleteMargaret is not planning on four year college. If she does take any college courses it would be with the local college and in the area that she wants to learn.
My husband pays (or tries to pay) his grown 30+ children's college loans. We wonder if it will ever get paid off.
We have a local four year university, Indiana Wesleyan University and I think the starting yearly tuition is somewhere in the $30,000.00's.
Times it by four, please.
With two more years (maybe less) to go, she has started getting the college question. We used to cringe. But since she recently started being VERY interested in herbs.....she just tells them she is planning on being a self taught herbalist.
Thanks for the encouragement, Joyce Marie!
ReplyDeleteThis post made me SMILE!
Thanks for sharing!
Leanne
Wonderful post, Joyce!! It's so true about the college thing. My boys are in a local college and still living at home which gets a lot of raised eyebrows from some. My answer is that this is what works for us and our boys. It's so important to know what works for your family and go with it, with God's direction, of course. You are so wise and thank you for sharing this!!
ReplyDeleteLove, Julie
You've given me much to think about tonight...and I really appreciate you sharing your experience.
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend!