Vitamins

While driving past Whole Foods tonight I quickly asked myself if I need to stop and get more vitamins for the children. No, I'd already made the decision to get what I suspected was inferior but readily available vitamins at the local grocery store. (Making an extra stop with 3 children in tow is something I try to avoid at all costs, and in this instance, at the cost of my children's health.) As I drove past Whole Foods, confident that I'd provided at least sub-par health supplements for our kids, it suddenly dawned on me that if I die my children will probably never eat another vitamin. I don't think the necessity of vitamins has ever entered my husband's consciousness. It seems that this preoccupation with "optimal health" for the kids is exclusive to me. I fear that my husband would be content to feed them hot dogs and mac 'n cheese. Lord knows they'd never go to bed with their teeth brushed, or have their bed sheets changed... on the other hand, he'd read to them every night and make sure they had impeccable table manners. My husband is a good man. A good man that probably does not know how seriously our children need vitamins. In truth I'm not so sure they need them, (they have a pretty good diet) I just give them vitamins just in case. The more I think about it, the more comfortable I am with the idea that they'll be in good hands should I pass away. He certainly would make them brush their teeth in the morning. ;)

1st Post- How I became a Home Educator

I didn't want to be a Homeschooler. It was my husband's idea. We could afford private school for one child but could we afford it for two, possibly three or more? No, he decided I would be able to handle this task and save us tons of money. "Easy for you to say", I thought, "you're not going to be the teacher."

For Christmas he bought me books on the glories of homeschooling. Some gift! I tossed them in a corner. I was not inspired, nor did I want to be. My children's education was someone else's responsibility, wasn't it? I mean after colors, shapes and the alphabet, "the professionals" were going to handle everything. I just had to pack them a nutritional lunch and get them there on time. God, in his amazing wisdom had another plan for me.

We kept running into homeschooling parents, children, and adult products of homeschooling. I made friends with someone who happened to be a homeschooler. She lead me to a fantastic curriculum and co-op. I joined with the idea that I was saving my daughter from the bad influences of other non-christian children. At that time, I would describe my reason for homeschooling as being motivated from fear- fear of eventual drug use and teen sex, fear of increasing tuition costs, fear of losing the ability to be a strong influence in my children's lives.

The first year I was pretty clueless. I felt okay about that because she was in Kindergarten and learning things like the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, Skip-Counting and basic Biology. That was much more than I learned in Kindergarten! My reason for homeschooling changed from protection to academics. I truly believe we are giving our children the best education we possibly can. And it has nothing to do with money. Furthermore, I've learned homeschooling is more than what happens from 9 am to noon, it is a lifestyle choice. It spills over into everything we do. (I find myself getting a second education right along with the children!)

We are going into our fourth year and my philosophy about homeschooling has evolved. I enjoy it, the children enjoy it, and it works for our family. Although I don't voice it in the presence of my mother-in-law, we hope to homeschool all the way through high school. There are many success-stories out there that encourage us to press on. We can do this.

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. — Philippians 4:13