As I am writing this we are in our second year of homeschooling. This way of life usually either very much appeals to people, or people think I am totally off my rocker and should be examined by a professional. (Which probably isn't entirely untrue. But I'm sure you are well aware this has nothing to do with homeschooling.) You notice that we do things a little bit differently around here than some of the other kids your age, and in an effort to reveal more of myself to you I thought I would take some time to write down the top five reasons why I do what I do. Homeschool that is, not putz around the house sipping on Diet Coke. Because it can be argued that I do that a lot, too.
So, without further adieu... (drumroll, please.... C'mon! indulge your weird ol' mom!...)
Reason #5:
I get to be by you and touch you all the time. As you know (oh, how you know), your momma is a hugger. A squeezer. A "gimme a kiss"-er. I've been like this for as long as I can remember, and now that I have my own soft, squishy little ones running around, you kids get the brunt of it. If I am teaching you, I am touching you. Snuggling, playing with your hair, stealing kisses, pinching your buns (yes, yes, so embarrassing. Deal with it.), holding your hand, noogies, zerberts, the occasional session of throwing you on the bed if the situation calls for it... I love to show you how much you mean to me through the sense of touch. All day long. (And speaking as your teacher, when you are done reading this your next assignment is to find me wherever I am and hug the living daylights out of me. Don't make me take away your free time, because I will.)
Reason #4:
We get to cultivate a familial relationship that I believe would be harder to do if you were schooled traditionally. Obviously, we spend a lot of time together. Like, a lot. I'm sure you are so sick of seeing my sorry ol' mug day in and day out every day of the week. And (don't be offended) there are times, once in a great, great, great while, where I need some time away from you as well. But for the most part we are genuinely happy to be in each other's company. Yes, there are fights, between Dana and Eliza, and Eliza and Cora, and Jones and the dog (Maude, remember her? Such a stinker), and me and the computer/washing machine/oven, but nothing that isn't snuffed out rather quickly, because we get lots of practice doing it. We are really pretty good at conflict resolution over here. All of you learn so much from each other in every way, and you are more well-rounded for it. One of my great hopes is that when geography eventually separates you the closeness that you have shared over all these years will have formed an unbreakable bond, and you will continue to seek out proximity with each other of your own accord, because you simply do not know any other way to go through life.
Reason #3:
To socialize you. I'm sure if we continue with this whole homeschooling gig it's just a matter of time before you will hear people voice concern about your socialization. Namely, the uncertainty that you are going to be able to fit in with your peers. Which, as probably most homeschooling parents can tell you, is actually not very high on the list of things we worry about for your future. With all the extracurricular activities you are involved in there is rarely a day that goes by where you are not with children your own age in some capacity. To me, socialization is making sure that not only you can fit in with your peers, but that you can fit in with (and someday better) society. And what better way to do this than to have you function in society along with me; a wise, seasoned, experienced, wise, really wise adult. For example, at the tender ages of seven, five and three you have a decent outline of what goes into paying bills, keeping house, serving those in need, and working hard at jobs outside the home. (Except for you, Jones. At six months old you are incredibly lazy. But you've got big chubby cheeks, so we'll give you a free pass. For now.) You also have a really good idea how post offices and libraries and grocery stores (and Target and TipToes) and so many other everyday places are run, and I feel that these things would be difficult to find the time to teach you if you were not right there next to me. It is one of my goals that by the time you are all old enough to live on your own you will have the maturity and the know-how to do so without succumbing to any traps this world may offer, and you will also have the determination and the drive to become a contributing, valued member of society. (And I'm planning on you bringing me coffee and donuts on a regular basis. But that's neither here nor there.)
Reason #2:
Oooh, this one is a doozy. I really like this one. I homeschool you so that I get to know you. Granted, at the time I am writing this you are still all relatively quite young, but I can say with confidence that I know pretty much everything there is to know about every one of you. I know your likes and dislikes, I can predict how you will react to things before they even occur. I know what every face, every gesture, every inflection of every word means. I know you the way a person can only know somebody when their lives are irrevocably intertwined. Dana, I know that you struggle with 8's, and that you like to say your spelling words upside down on the blue chair. You are always the first one to raise your hand, and your eyes light right up when I call on you and you will (almost invariably) answer correctly. Eliza, you can only pay attention during devotions if you are nestled on my lap, while for the rest of our day together you are content sitting by my side. When you count to one hundred you will leave out the number 17 every time. You are heavily motivated by smiley-face stickers, and even though you know you're not supposed to ask for one, you will give me a sly smile after you've done some really good work and ask for one anyway. And I give it to you, because you're super cute. Dana, in Psalm 23 you recite "for His name is sake", instead of "for His name's sake", and Eliza, in John 3:16 you talk about God's only "forgotten" Son, instead of His only "begotten" Son. (We'll correct it someday. For now, it brings me joy so we'll let it slide.) Cora, you're not officially in school yet, but already I know that if there's any mention of fighting and/or wars in our textbooks you will want to see pictures, you like circles probably more than the average human being, you are obsessed with ocean creatures, and you have to wear a dress and dance around when we listen to our Bible memory verse songs. And my sweet Jones, you enjoy hourly getting passed along from one sister to another, with every smile you give wrapping them tighter and tighter around your little finger. You love it, they love it, I love it, it's just one big love affair with you. May it never end. My prayer is that as the years go by I will be able to draw upon what I am learning about all of you now, and what I will learn from you as this process continues, to help you navigate through this life. I pray that I can use what I know to be fundamental to your character to help you make choices which will be beneficial to you, and also to give me comfort and peace when someday you make decisions that may not be the best for you because I know, deep down, who you truly are.
Reason #1:
And finally, the number one reason why I do what I do. It is really very simple. I do this because this is what God has called me to do both in your lives and mine, and my most heartfelt desire is to obey Him and bring Him glory. If you would have told me back in college that someday I would be a country dwelling, homeschooling, farmer-loving mother of four I would have called you crazy and then gone back to laying out in the sun with my People magazine, planning out my next exotic vacation, and wondering when my roommate was getting out of class so we could go get a Big Gulp. But God had a different plan for my life. And though the homeschooling life is not for everyone, it is the perfect life for me. It may not be the most easy calling, and there is not a day that goes by where I do not question my ability to be your primary educator, but there is also not a day that goes by where God is not faithful in reminding me that He's got this. You belong to Him first. I am only one small part of the story He has written out for your life, and I just have to trust Him that you will get the knowledge and the instruction you need from me to carry out your story to completion. I often ask Him to teach you what He wants you to learn in spite of me, and I believe that even in those days where I feel I have not taught you a single thing, He has spoken to you through me in ways I may never know. I have heard it said many times that, "He doesn't call those who are equipped, He equips those He calls". And while your momma is definitely not the best teacher in the world, He has equipped me to be the best teacher for you. And that is a privilege and a blessing that I do not take lightly, and will never take for granted. I pray that as you grow older, it is your one desire to obey Him and seek to bring Him glory in whatever area He calls you to do as well. I can promise you that it will most likely not be the simplest path, and you may think He's got the wrong person for the job, but if you choose to trust and obey Him the rewards will far outweigh any hardships you experience along the way. (He's just totally awesome like that. See below. It doesn't get any better than that for this here momma, and you're all taking a copy of this picture to college with you as a gentle reminder of how much you love to be with me.)
OK, I think that about covers what I wanted to say. Hopefully this answers some of your questions, and gives you a little insight into your history as well as encourages you when you think about your future. Never forget that you are going through life smack dab in the middle of a whole bunch of people who love you and care about you and only want the best for you. And, (this is the really cool part) you are also being watched over and guided by the King, and He can not and will never fail you. (But if you don't do your homework I might. I kid, I kid!)
Now, if you'd be so kind as to go give those grandbabies of mine a kiss from their crazy Mee-Maw, I'd be much obliged.
Love you lots,
Mrs. Alberda (a.k.a. Momma)
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