Homeschooling is a calling in ones life to dye to self. You have to sacrifice daily your own desires, wants and even sometimes needs. It is a passion, a calling, and a drive to climb those "mountains" of life placed before you. It's knowing that no one can be blamed for your short comings in rearing your child, because you and your spouse have taken all the responsibility upon your shoulders (with God's help) to raise up this child and educate them completely. It's waking up in the morning and putting not just the "Mom" or "Dad" hat on, it's also putting on the Teacher, Chauffeur, Playmate, P.E. Instructor, Activities Director, Principal, Custodian, Cook, Disciplinarian, Guidance Counselor, Wife or Husband, Referee, Nurse, Prayer Warrior, Secretary, Laundress, Maid, Scientist, Mathematician, Historian, Computer Tech hats just to name a few, each and EVERY DAY. There isn't a day that you get to choose not to wear a certain hat. Sometimes you even find yourself wearing a hat that you didn't have a clue existed up to this point. You have to be able to adjust quickly and do what needs to be done with the best outcome possible. You learn your child inside and out, you are with them 24 hours a day, 7 days a week BY CHOICE! Amazingly you also end up learning a lot from them too.
This is no flash in the frying pan, fly by night type of decision. It's something that requires lots of prayer and knowing that there is going to be great sacrifice for at least 18 or more years. What type of sacrifices you ask, all parents make sacrifices you say. I do not deny you that, that is true every great and loving parent does.
Homeschoolers make sacrifices that not just effect the here and now but the future. They sacrifice dreams of exotic vacations, luxury cars, vacation homes, expensive yearly family vacations, large expensive homes, two incomes (going to a soul bread winner in the household). They tend to willingly, lovingly, graciously give these things up with a smile. They know that these years are the most precious in the life their child(ren). It's worth it all in the end. They wouldn't change a thing.
Yes, Homeschoolers are different. They tend to have a different approach and outlook on things. They are usually unique and think outside of the box. They love each "season" of their lives.
Let me quickly say that what works for one family, may not work for yours and what works for yours might not work for another. That's part of the beauty of having the freedom to choose.
Homeschooling is a life changing event. It's a choice! It consumes every second of every hour of every day. Everything in life becomes an experience. You look differently at everything from doing a simple choir, baking a cake, going to the doctor, taking a trip to buy groceries, ect. Everything is and becomes a learning experience, a field trip of sorts, a time to spread wings and grow. It takes over every aspect of your life, and you become grateful for it.
A family who homeschools, life revolves around it completely. Just like the family of a dancer, a pianist, a history buff or football player, life tends to revolve around their schedule, their hopes, their dreams, and your dreams for their future. You talk about it, it's just normal part of your life. Homeschoolers are the same way, it's the normal for their lives. Just because they talk about homeschooling doesn't mean that they are putting you or your schooling choice down. It's just telling you about the major every day part of their life. They live it, breath it every day, all day long.
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