I had an online chat with my best friend in college. Even after college, through marriage and childbirth, we’ve kept up with each other. Though not as regularly as we want to, it’s always a treat to be with each other. We pour out all our deepest desires and emotions to each other whenever we meet. We just love each other very much. Online casino Ireland. ###
Both of us graduated with a BS Degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management but she now works as a SPED Teacher in the USA. She said that she enjoys reading my blogs a lot and believes that I know more than all her other co-teachers. I said that I just learned all of those from all the reading that I do. She is strongly encouraging me to take up formal schooling in Education. Below are her points in italics and my answers.
1. It’s a fall-back for that future time, in case something happens to hubby and I’d be left alone with the four kids.
When she was just a few years married, her husband died in an accident. He left her widowed with a small son. She survived that period in her life through her faith in God and with the support of her family and friends. She was also blessed with a great career in one of the major fast food chains in Metro Manila.
I’ve often thought about that scary event. What if the same thing happened to me? I’ve been a housewife for as long as I can remember. We have four children now ages 2 – 14 years old. I always pray to the Lord to protect hubby and me and to allow us to grow old together, so that we can continue to guide and watch over our children. Our prayer is that we would still be alive and kicking until we have great-grandchildren.
But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does. (James 1:6-8)
Realistically speaking, do I have what it takes in case that unfortunate event happens? I believe that I do, even if I don’t have a teaching degree. There is nothing that God puts out in our lives that He also does not equip us to overcome.
Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. (Philippians 2:12-13)
At this point in time, we strongly believe that I am called by God to stay home and educate the children. I know that I cannot possibly do a good job of studying to earn a degree while also educating my children, taking care of my family and home at the same time.
2. I am so intelligent and talented, it’s a waste for me not to share it with others.
Truth to tell, ALL the mothers and fathers I’ve met who homeschool their children are all just so smart! These parents teach all subjects to their students for so many years. There’s also the fact that our children are just as intelligent and will continue to push us to give them more. Which then leads parents to study more and more in order to be able to give the best education possible to their children. Hey, it’s hard to have a one-room, multi-age, multi-level schoolroom. You have to teach according to each child’s learning styles, you have to learn every subject with your children, even those subjects that have challenged you in the past. I know I can speak for others when I say that we believe that our time and talents are not wasted teaching our children.
Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates, so that your days and the days of your children may be many in the land that the LORD swore to give your forefathers, as many as the days that the heavens are above the earth. (Deuteronomy 11:18-21)
3. I also have to think of myself and not keep putting the children’s needs first over mine.
My eldest just turned 14 years old today, and I wonder where all the years have gone. I feel that the years have passed us by so fast. In just a few years, I know that I’ll be sending her to college, and soon after that, she will lead her own life. Our kids are only with us for a short time. As much as possible, our desire is to be with them and teach them. After I’ve done my job with them, I know I’ll have all the time to pursue my own interests. By that time, hubby and I can also enjoy watching our children living their own lives, making their own decisions, and hopefully obeying the will of God in their lives.
In the end, so what if I place priority on my children’s needs over mine? These are young children who are just like wet cement. With wet cement, you only have a little bit of time before it hardens to the form that it will carry forever. You can only do so much with a child during the years that you can still mold them into people who will love the Lord with all their heart, mind and soul. And if I succeed with my work, then I can be assured of a blessed future for our children and even for Gary D. and me.
Let me make it clear, I do want to continue my studies. I plan to earn my Master’s and Doctorate degree in the future. BUT now is not the time for me to do it. This is just a season in my life that I am devoting to my children. When I have let my children fly, then I can go on and let myself fly, too, knowing that I have done the best for my children, I have equipped them to live lives that are pleasing to the Lord.
My eldest sister, who is almost in her fifties, took up her Master’s Degree in Christian Counselling about eight years ago. She worked hard while studying and graduated with honors. Now she is a very successful psychotherapist. Before she did all that though, she concentrated on bringing up her three children first. When all three were married, she started on her own studies. She is currently working on her Doctorate Degree. Has she missed out on all those years that she spent making caring for her family? No! Now, she and my brother-in-law are reaping the fruits of their labor in the lives of their children. All three are successful career-wise and are happy with their families. All have chosen to follow their parent's’ Christian faith.
I’ve known since I was a young girl that I’d want to stay home with my children. I did not know about homeschooling then but I’m sure glad that we’re living this lifestyle now. I’ve lived my single life before, now that I’m a mom, I want to perform this role in the best possible way that I can. In the meanwhile, I am pursuing things that interest me with my blogs and reviews, this already gives me so much satisfaction.
Just to be clear again, I’m not at all offended by my friend’s comments. I know that writing about it will help me more to solidify my thoughts about this and hopefully, it can help others as well. She has a good heart and is speaking out of care and concern.
I’d love to hear your thoughts about this as applied in your lives, please feel free to leave a comment here.
