Rescue Your Children

     Do you feel like you’d rather chew tinfoil while handcuffed underwater than homeschool your children?  Well, that’s exactly how I felt.  That is, until my daughter came home and told me that her teacher accused her, in front of the entire class, of killing people because her mask was not covering her nose.  If that wasn’t bad enough, she then went to her history class and spent an hour hearing about how wonderful Karl Marx was.  Forget that nearly 200 million people have been murdered under communist dictatorships.  But hey, it’s public school!  I knew then I had no choice but to remove them.  
 
     I rescued my children from the Child Indoctrination Machine.  I feel much better about their futures now, and so can you!  I’m here to tell you: Homeschooling need not be feared!  It is not as difficult as you think.  
 
     The greatest hurdle to overcome is the fear that you won’t be able to do it right.  For years, I was afraid to homeschool.  We all have similar fears: I’m not organized enough; my children don’t take instruction from me very well; I have to work; I need some time to myself; etc.  The excuses are plentiful, and the whole thing can feel overwhelming. 
 
     There are so many great resources online now though.  There are also some not-so-good programs though, so do your research and talk to other parents who homeschool.

     ​We signed up for Enlightium, a Christian program.  They do more than just put together a curriculum.  They assign daily work, grade it, and keep everything on file for future transcripts.  Though the curriculum is online, they have real teachers who engage with them and are always available for extra help.  There is a parent portal that enables you to monitor their work, interact with their teachers, and even talk with other parents.  They offer wonderful reading lists for extra credit and provide you with many ideas for volunteering and extracurricular activities.  ​

     If you’re afraid that your child will be isolated, reach out to other homeschoolers in your area and start after school activities such as a music/art co-op, a chess club, or a weekly hike.  Remember, your child can always participate in the public-school sports and maintain friendships at school that way.  
 
     In our home, we set some very basic ground rules. They include being at their desks by 9:00 a.m., dressed and ready to go, and no schoolwork in bed.  Since they don’t have to travel to school, they can get a little extra sleep in the morning!  Kids appreciate sleep, and few children receive proper nutrition if their eating the school “lunches”.  
 
     The most critical thing to remember is you will have both good days and bad days.  It’s okay to have bad days. You will not get this perfectly right, especially at first.  It’s a learning curve for both students and parents.   
 
     ​Bottom line: your child’s worst day of homeschooling is still better than their best day at a Marxist Indoctrination Center with a muzzle on their face.  You got this!

- Joanna Carothers, Mom