Homeschool High School? Yes You Can!!

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When we first started homeschooling, we had a 7th grader and a 4th grader. It was only "temporary", right? We were being relocated temporarily for my husband's job and when that was over, life would return to normal, right? Hmm...fast forward about two years. We were supposed to be back in our home state by now. An "extension" on our relocation has spread our time out another year and a half.

Each time I "made" plans, or worried about re-enrolling the kids in school, it seemed the Lord, (thankfully), had other plans. I didn't want to re-enroll them mid-year. EVER. The extension dates kept getting bumped so that IF and WHEN we would go back home, it would be after the school year had started. 

So, here we sit, finishing up our third year of homeschool. This year we had a 9th grader, 6th grader, Kindy, and Preschooler. Suddenly, homeschool became a lifestyle and very "normal" for us. I stopped planning for public or private school re-entry. I began to see this new life as a blessing.

Lately, I have been reading so many posts about moms who are afraid to continue to homeschool through high school. After all, that is when it "counts" right? WRONG. Each year counts. Teaching the early stages of reading and math, as we did in Kindy this year, "counts" too. We just don't need a Transcript for it. 

I was terrified for most of the year. 9th grade AND Kindergarten TOGETHER? AT THE SAME TIME? HOW? But then God....isn't that how it always goes?

• Reminded me that it was He who called me to do this. Why should I fear? Why should I fear other's opinions, other's choice of education, and why should I fear "messing" my kids up? He gave them to me after all. I was seeking Him in homeschool. He who had called me, would do it: 1 Thessalonians 5:24.
• My kids were learning in spite of me. They have a love for learning, and will find ways to learn all on their own, even after the fancy curriculum is put away.
• I was stressing for nothing over credit hours. So many were required to count for credit, and exactly 5 hours beyond that was when I began to worry. That is when He reminded me that I had the hours--stop stressing and start enjoying
• Every time I began to consider sending them back to school, another article would come across my feed about "new policies", "new curriculum", or some horrendous quote from our government about our children. God gave me this opportunity "for such a time as this." (LOVE the story of Esther!)
• My kids would remind me that they WANTED to stay home and school. They were enjoying learning again without all of the negative issues at school.
• "Socialization?" They are not dogs. Honestly-those of us that came from the public school system-think back. What KIND of socialization did you learn? Mainly from peers your own age? How to give a wedgie? How to talk bad about your parents? How to name call each other and bully the outsider? My kids are VERY social kids. God provided MANY opportunities with this move. Their "socialization" is, for the most part, very positive. They are just as active, if not more so, than they were in public school. They can "socialize" with people of all ages--from babies to the elderly--not just kids of their own age. They don't stare at their phone all day and completely ignore everyone around them. Of course, they aren't allowed smart phones until they are old enough to pay for them on their own. They teach ME a lot about socialization.

I just want to say today, that each and every time I worried about "how my kids were going to turn out", I was blessed and amazed by each one of them. Their kind and servant hearts towards others, not just their family. Prayers for mommy when she is feeling bad by my four year old. Close bond between ALL of the children, even though they are so spread apart in ages--14, 12, 5 and 4. They talk about the Lord and desire to know Him.

High school? It's just another year. Trust God to put your kids where HE wants them. Trust God to provide for your school. I know it's hard. Boy, do I know. God is trustworthy, but sometimes we get fearful. Am I there yet? Not all the way-I am a work in progress. But God has been so good and so patient, that day by day, I am learning to trust Him completely.