Homeschooling for Family, Freedom, and Faith

The Homeschool Seed Was Planted 

We moved from Nova Scotia to a small farm town in southern Saskatchewan in 2009 immediately after we were married. I was a newly graduated teacher, and my husband a newly graduated RCMP officer. We had hopes and dreams of having a big family. Our new church and community was full of large families, with an average of 4-6 children in each. Our small community also had a 4-day school week and several homeschool families. 

I am so thankful for the influence of other moms who were about 10 years ahead of me in the parenting marathon. I observed those homeschool families while awaiting children of my own. I noticed they operated a bit differently. The older kids and teens were easy to talk to and usually great with young children. The siblings were usually friends and playmates with one another, with less bickering than other families I was used to. The kids were usually very bright and creative. They were able to talk to me and other adults with ease. The homeschool mothers often had a bit more help around the home, and the children seemed to have greater responsibilities and greater independence than the average child.

All of this greatly impacted me and my whole view on family dynamics, child rearing, and education. As a child of two full-time working professionals, most of my memories are of school (which are not the fondest memories), babysitters, sports, and extracurricular activities. These were mostly fine experiences, but my happiest memories were the Saturday mornings at home, my father coaching my baseball teams, Sundays together at church, walks in the woods with my mom, and building tree forts and blanket forts with my big brothers. 

What I longed for most was family time and home. I think all of these factors worked together, along with a strong nudge from God, to convince me that homeschool was the right choice for our children.

Family Relationship

Over 10 years later, we are living in a northern Saskatchewan community with our 4 children  between ages one and seven. The homeschool dream has become a reality. We have very few homeschool families here, and the community is far less family-oriented than our previous one, but I know deeply in my heart that this is still the best choice for us. My seven, six, and four-year-old are incredible playmates. They have amazing imaginations and get along quite well, considering they spend their days together. They are compassionate, considerate, and very often helping with their baby brother. They are getting many hours per day outside, they are able to pursue interests such as piano, basketball, art, gymnastics, video games, martial arts, and math without the strain of homework or “not getting enough hours in the day“ to enjoy these interests. 

My husband, being a police officer with a crazy schedule, would rarely get to see our children if we sent them to school. Having them home in the middle of the week when my husband has days off, allows for them to see their dad and spend quality time with him. It, of course, poses some challenges and struggles as we have to be moderately quiet when he is sleeping off a night shift, and we never have a quiet home or kid-free time very often. However, the family bond, memories made, and quality time far outweigh the challenges. 

Freedom and Flexibility 

The freedom to make your own schedule is a wonderful component of homeschooling. We are at a chaos phase with a 15-month-old tiny tornado running around our home. So, we have the freedom to spend our mornings playing, reading books, walking the dog, or cleaning up the house. Then we can spend our afternoons doing a bit of book-work, where I can give the big kids more focused attention while the baby sleeps. That brings me joy and lessens the stress. 

Following a schedule that works for our family allows me to focus on my relationship with my children, pursue personal interests, and practice character building. We have the freedom to change and adjust it as our family changes and matures or when illness strikes or when we want to travel or go on field trips. A flexible schedule feels like grace and relief for a tired, busy Mom. 

Another part to this is when we have children who are gifted or struggling. I have a child who is struggling with reading and writing but very mature, intuitive, and gifted in other ways. I also have a child who is only preschool age but capable of third grade math or higher. However, he’s still emotionally immature and working on fine motor skills, like pencil grasp and cutting with scissors. Homeschool allows me to focus on each child’s gifts and weaknesses and offer them extra support in the weak areas and extra challenges in their gifted areas. 

Faith

Our children are entrusted to us for a short time then they are gone to live their own lives. To me, motherhood is one of the greatest tasks and ministries of my life. I want to commit everything I can to honour God through the raising up of these children. I want my children to see me live my life for God. I want them to hear His word read daily, hear prayers whispered, listen to songs of praise and worship, and spread His light to the people and neighbours He places in our lives. 

Educating our children at home can never ensure a child will follow God; but a biblical worldview, solid morals and values, and a hedge of protection around them from a world that is increasingly secular and anti-Christian is the best way I know how to parent them at this time in their lives. The world does not offer them hope, joy, or a life of faith. As their teacher and parent, we can show them an abundant life with Jesus at the centre. Homeschool life can be incredibly challenging, frustrating, and tiresome some days but absolutely worth it. 

Written by Holly

Holly is a homeschool mom, currently living in northern Saskatchewan with her 4 children, ages 7, 6, 4 and 1. She is married to Devin, an RCMP officer; a career which brings their family to a variety of places across Canada. She is a trained elementary teacher. Holly loves books, coffee, nature hikes, travel, and adventuring with her family. She often has a small handful of extra neighbourhood children in her home as an unofficial ministry. She is passionate about getting her family in nature and fresh air as much as possible. They are currently doing the 1000 Hours Outside challenge for 2021.