May 19, 2021 – Home Is a Wonderful Place

Mercy Every Minute

Deborah Wuehler, TOS Senior Editor

Home. Where They Belong

There are so many reasons why home is wonderful, and we have written about them for twenty years now!

We have seen the fruit of homeschooled children walking the aisles of college graduations and into successful adulthood. That is just one of the rewards of being raised in the most wonderful place called home. Other rewards are the freedom children have—to be who they were created to be, to learn in the manner best for them, to go as slow or fast as necessary, to discover a myriad of electives and skills, and to cut out all the busywork, all the peer pressure, and all the evil philosophies. On top of that, they gain strong, healthy relationships with us. It is worth it all. I have homeschooled for over twenty-five years now and still have another five years to go, and it is the best thing I’ve ever done with my life and for my children.

What is so great about home?

Home:
It is where we are privileged to teach that God upholds all things by the word of His power (Hebrews 1:3), that He alone reigns, and His Word is Truth—in all subjects.

Home:
Where we teach children to make it their aim to please God and to be Christlike in their service to God, their families, their churches, and their communities and to be able to share the glorious gospel of Christ.

Home:
Where we teach the truth of God’s Word that says God created the family as one man for one woman, and where family is strengthened and promoted.

Home:
Where we can teach the Ten Commandments; the Golden Rule; how to love your neighbor; the importance and power of prayer; and consistent and real Bible study. God is alive and well in our homes.

Home:
A loving and safe environment, free from worldly pressures and vain philosophies. It is where children daily “walk with the wise” and become wise and not become “a companion of fools” where they could “be destroyed” (Proverbs 13:20). They do not have to learn the way of the heathen (Jeremiah 10:2).

Home:
It is the school environment that teaches absolute Truth. Some would say we are living in fear by not sending our children away; I say we are living in the fear of the Lord which is the beginning of knowledge (Proverbs 1:7; and 9:10).

Home:
Where God desires me to teach my children that they might teach their children (Psalm 78). The obedience that keeps them home will bring the rewards of His blessing on their lives and mine.

Home:
Where They Belong.

~ Deborah

Freedom: It’s Why We Homeschool, by Deborah Wuehler

Why This Dad Loves Homeschooling, by Clifford Marlowe

Why Homeschool? History to Present, by Marla Szwast

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Todd Wilson 

Dorothy Was Right: There’s No Place Like Home

Home is a wonderful place. 

Home is the best place for your children.

I repeat home is the best place for your children.

The world may say otherwise, and you may sometimes doubt that sentiment, but it is 100% true.

God knew what He was doing when he placed those children in your home and gave them you as a mother. Cling to that truth when the days get hard. Cling to that truth if others try to persuade you to put your kids in school. Cling to that truth because it is true!

I’m done. Be real,

Todd

PS – You can get a free audio download of one of the most powerful talks I have ever given that speaks about this truth. It’s called This We Believe and you can get it here.

Pillar of Hope
Tracy Klicka – Pandemic or Not, Home is a Wonderful Place

Perhaps you’ve seen the statistics—since pandemic-related school lockdowns began over a year ago, suicides have been on the rise. While actual suicide numbers are difficult to obtain, there is data to suggest that the pandemic has contributed to more young people becoming suicidal.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in four adults ages 18 to 24 surveyed in June of last year said they had seriously contemplated suicide. That’s more than double the number of people in that age group who reported having suicidal thoughts in 2018.

So if it is true that the COVID-19 pandemic contributed to greater numbers of young adults seriously considering ending their lives, what encouragement is there for families who have decided to homeschool amid the lockdowns? Plenty!

Shortly after the lockdowns began last year, a study conducted by the nonprofit Let Grow, of children ages 8-13 in the U.S., revealed that, overall, children were less anxious during the lockdown than they had been prior to the pandemic.

That reduction in anxiety manifested itself in these children finding interesting things to do, sleeping more, helping at home, and gaining new respect and appreciation from their parents because of how well they were managing themselves. In essence, they were far more likely to be happy than sad.

Interestingly, the #1 response children gave to the survey’s open-ended question, “Something I like about this time is ­­­­­_______,” was More Time with Family. Being together as a family via homeschooling is a positive, life-changing opportunity to connect, to help your children grow as individuals, and as parents to affirm your child’s uniqueness, gifts, and interests.

May your children joyfully thrive as you intentionally invest in their lives together at home!

Sources:

Mental Health, Substance Use, and Suicidal Ideation During the COVID-19 Pandemic — United States, June 24–30, 2020 (cdc.gov)

Key Substance Use and Mental Health Indicators in the United States: Results from the 2018 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (samhsa.gov)

A Pandemic Lesson: Family Togetherness Makes Children Happy | Psychology Today

Tracy Klicka, widow of former HSLDA attorney Christopher Klicka, is a homeschooling mom of seven adult children. Seasoned homeschooler and gifted writer/speaker for over 22 years, Tracy has addressed thousands at homeschooling conventions and women’s events, contributed to Christianity Today, regularly writes for national homeschool publications, and contributed to her late husband’s homeschooling books. She serves as the Director of Development for HSLDA, through which their Compassion Program helps families homeschooling through hard times.