Home School for Cool Kids

Trigger warning: Suicide, Rape, Abuse

Okay, I have something to say! and what better place than on my own teeny tiny slice of the world wide web! If you are reading this then either you know me IRL or you are facing the same choice to home school your child or send them off to school and want to know how others made their choices.

God put this on my heart long before I ever made the official choice to set up my very own homeschool.

I wrote a letter to my MIL who is a teaching professional and had some very strong opposing viewpoints. Up until this point, we have been very nearly the best of friends. Getting along and working out whatever comes up and although we have since resolved this difference I know it will still be something I’ll work to accept. Sometimes the right thing for you to do won’t be everyone’s favorite, but you cannot live for people. They most certainly are not living for you.

Before I let you read the letter I wrote and her response I would like to give you a little history.

I had the quintessential teenage experience of a girl without parental guidance from Orange County, CA. It was magical at best and deeply disturbing at worst.

I attended public school beginning from the age of preschool because it was believed children needed a pre school experience, you know, to be ready for real school. (WE KNOW NOW that preschool actually does not enhance a child’s success compared to peers who did not attend preschool and can actually cause increased problems with defiance, aggression, and rude behavior. Know a neighborhood kid like this? I know I do! source: https://www.parentingscience.com/preschool-stress.html )

From there I spent, my entire mandatory educational journey tied to a desk seat, bored out my mind, thinking only of cute boys, tomorrow’s outfit, and how to keep my hair straight and smooth all day long. I never went without a lab partner and I always had weekend plans with friends. (Usually partying at one of my parent’s houses.) I was involved in so many activities as a child that I remember begging and crying just to stay home one day. But you know, enrichment. My parents probably also just needed a safe place to stick me while they did whatever important thing was happening. Maybe work, still not totally sure.

In the end, I graduated with 500 of my closest friends and eventually went off to an elite private college, got a degree in Accounting, went to work at a downtown public accounting firm, bought a fancy house at 25, and basically reached every life goal set before then. Objectives Achieved.

Blah blah blah, I was popular in school and pretty and did whatever I wanted all the time. So why wouldn’t I want that cool girl experience for my girls?

BECAUSE IT WAS EMPTY.

So when a Homecoming Queen marries a Captain of the Football Team (yes, really!) and they start having children, the local public school should be an easy YES! But the truth of it is, it’s not.

The choice had been tossing and turning, humming and hawing, unsure of what to do. Unsure of what is expected or unsure of what is acceptable when it comes to schooling. Unsure of what was good and what was bad. So I lay it out as simply as possible in the letter below.

I’m going to share the letter I wrote and her response. Now listen. This is just my feelings, my thoughts, my reality. Your reality and circumstances may look very different from mine. In fact, I expect us to be different in many ways.

If you connect with this, give me a shout in the comments below so everyone can see they aren’t alone.

Read my letter below written with the most sincere intentions:

Dear MIL,

You are a professional educator with degrees and credentials and over 25 years of teaching experience. You are an expert in early childhood education and a technology specialist and I would like your blessing to privately educate your grandchildren at home.

God has called me to lift up these children so that they will be equipped to face the world someday rooted and steadfast in Truth. Right now, the best way to provide a strong foundation is to homeschool.

The public school system is failing children more than ever. More children commit suicide than 50 years ago. Bullying, sex, drugs, and adult content is being exposed to children younger than ever before in history. God has been removed from schools entirely- when we were once one nation under God. But not today.

Today, school shootings are so prevalent that we prepare school children for the occurrence. Teachers are arrested all the time for being pedophiles – either molesting children or involved in child pornography.

These are not risks I am willing to take in the name of education.

As a self-identified life long learner, education, the actual learning of new things is one of God’s greatest gifts to man. The ability to grow is something that should be nurtured and protected, fed and strengthened, following God’s will.

Starting now, by providing a TK homeschool curriculum to my daughter, age 4. Beginning September 2021, I will start the fall semester with a daily morning schedule of reading & writing, mathematics, bible, physical education and scheduled playtimes with other children. While I haven’t finalized curriculums, I would love if you reviewed my choices.

You are an experienced professional who knows more on this than I. Although I feel confident in my God’s ability through me to effectively, attentively, and lovingly administer a kindergarten curriculum.

Can you just imagine how incredible their education could be with your help? Any involvement you’d be able to provide would be valued. Even if it’s just a museum trip or administering an assessment.

I know how difficult this path may be and I know it is the path less traveled for a reason. I recognize that I will have to make some sacrifices to accomplish this tsk set before me. But the only bigger sacrifice would be to send my children to public school.

I’m asking you to set aside what you think you know about homeschooling and give us your blessing to tailor make an education created to support, enhance, and strengthen their unique personality and aptitudes.

I’m asking for your love, support, and involvement because God knows we’ll need it.

The child of a redacted has a life unlike that of other kids. They are taught resilience from infancy. To not fear the future and to find the joy even when they spend their nights aching for Daddy. This provides an opportunity to continue to fortify bonds made into adolescence. Instead of passing ships in the night, the children are home whenever Daddy gets to be.

I will work to ensure that all requirements and objectives are met for the brightest future available in the world. Higher education is top priority and I promise to always make the choices that will benefit them most, even if its not what I want – like getting vaccinated.

I pray God softens your heart to this. While I have some fear of embarking on this massive endeavor I have nothing but peace that this is what God wants for them. I believe that they will change our country someday in a huge, meaningful way. and this is where it starts. With a different view of the world, to learn about it from a different angle and to enter with perspective.

The Bible says that we are to be in the world but not of the world.

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7

With love, Britney

I hope you read that with a sincere tone. That was my intention.

Her response:

REMOVED FOR PRIVACY

So now it’s your turn! If you try this, tag me at @goldengluegun

Interested in how I built my strong belief system? Check out this post on Responsibility + Homeschool