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Homework

From the Heart

LaTeisha Williams, contributing editor

So you’re going back to school, right? How long are you planning to do that? Really? Through high school?

I don’t get these questions too much anymore, but they were standard procedure with the birth of my first child and the decision to educate my children at home. I am aware that this choice is not one that everyone can make or wants to make. For me, it was the best choice, and one that I have never regretted. It's definitely not is sunshine and flowers all the time. But it is, however, love and devotion all the time.

Children are not children for long. The time seems to pass so swiftly from year to year. I see them growing and changing; the baby chubbiness is almost gone and the inquisitiveness is increasing. Questions about God, about the world, about why things are the way they are — times that are precious, irreplaceable, and fleeting. I see them reasoning, solving, cooperating, making friends, showing empathy and compassion, and making plans. And I love it. For all the mommy-time I crave sometimes, I still would not change my decision to be at home and homeschooling.

To answer those questions, I won’t be going back to school anytime soon, and I’m planning to homeschool through high school. Yes, really. Through high school. I was given the privilege to guide these little people into adulthood, give them stability and security, build their confidence, ground them with a strong foundation, and love them no matter what. That is exactly my intention.

I believe that is the intention of most parents whether they stay at home or not, or whether they homeschool or not. So, what is the common thread? Perhaps, it is this — knowing what is going on in your child’s life, being acquainted with their friends and their friends’ parents, setting boundaries, establishing and enforcing consequences, spending time together, being encouraging and forgiving, expecting them to put forth their best effort, letting them learn from mistakes, giving hugs, kisses, pats on the back, and a safe place to retreat. Being present and making the sacrifice to parent; that’s from the heart.

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