Homeschooling and why!

We took a big leap 7 years ago and began to homeschool our children. I have to tell you that I sincerely thought, before that day, that all homeschoolers were off their rockers! Really, why would you do something that the government supplies for free and with qualified, amazing teachers!

My oldest son is an inspiration. A Psychologist might have different adjectives, though the last one we saw did say Patch was a fantastic and bright young man. Our son is classically autistic something that if you have never met him might sound scary, however, God has given Patch so many rich gifts that the challenges autism puts before him each day are not that noticeable these days. We have gone through difficult seasons of learning about who God has made Patrick to be and Patch has struggled greatly at times accepting those challenges but these days he is pretty laid back about life.

Homeschooling came about due to the fact that the school the kids were attending, though wonderful in every way possible, were not sure if they could continue to get financial support for Patch i.e. a 1:1 aid going into grade 3. You see, his autistic designation did not come until he turned nine years old. Before that any doctors that we saw could not seem to get past the fact that he had become a Smith through adoption and not only that he had come from a former Soviet Union Country! We knew his issues were more how he learned rather than not being able to learn from early on. At aged five we were informed that he would never get past a grade one reading level, (he is currently doing grade nine curriculum and coping fine, thankyou!). We always used to say,
"it is as if he is wearing a pair of glasses that somehow show him this world from a completely different point of view"
That's a bit like what autism is!

These days, due to his designation, (By the way, I tend not to use the word diagnosis as it implies that autism is a disease giving the impression that it can be cured but we don't agree with this, we feel that it is a case of the brain being differently wired that neurotypical people) we get extra funding, or rather our school does, which enables us to have a teaching assistant at the house. Patch's TA is amazing! She has become a member of our extended family and now helps teach both my boys, (Patch, math & English, and Noah, Math, and all three of my kids Science. I feel that we are very blessed living in BC with all the choices we have regarding how our children are educated. For us, right now, this system works really well and I get the bonus of seeing our kids grow and be involved in what they are learning and how it is presented to them. Maybe we will homeschool right the way through, this we have not determined. As a wise friend of mine always says,
"one year at a time."

There isn't a right or a wrong way, there is your way regarding education. We feel that for us, God has us in this season of homeschooling right now and we delight in the benefits we see each and every day in our kids. It is a huge committment but we love the flexibility. The school to which we are registered is wonderful and my teacher to whom I am accountable has become so much more, I count on her as a friend and mentor, nothing is ever too much trouble. The special education department have been incredible. Their support has gotten us where we are today and for that we will forever be grateful.

I am definitely a type A person but slowly, as I get older, I am trying to relax. I realise that God is really in control. I am trying to lean on the proverb that started all of this,

Proverbs 22:6

Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.


God is not a deceiver, that He should offer to support us, and then, when we lean upon Him, should slip away from us.

Augustine
Works and Biography



Hope this finds you encouraged, and able to look forward and upwards today.

Sue :0)