My perspective was transformed in just one night. I came home from teaching school (I had a very tough class that year) and my three-year-old sat on my lap and asked me to read a book. I told him I was too tired to read to him. In fact, engaging in any learning activities made me want to cringe. I was completely exhausted with no energy left for the person that mattered most in my life.
Then the light bulb went off, I was giving 100% of my quality time and energy to my students (not by my choice, again, it was a very tough class that year) and I had nothing left for my son. I decided to begin my homeschool journey that particular night. I discussed it with my husband and then submitted my notice to my school the next day, which stated I would not be returning the following school year. All my colleagues were stunned but I guess that mommy instinct took over because this was no longer about me, but now it was about my son.
I was providing half of my family's income (and a young couple with a teacher's salary, you can quickly figure out that we were not financially prepared for me to be at home full-time.) My husband was still in college at night and he worked during the day. We had lots of debt- car payments, school loans, and a mortgage- and zero savings.
But I was bound and determined. My son was my top priority, not my income. The money issue never worried me. That is how I know God was in control because I naturally worry about money. Not a good quality, I know.
And we just made it work. We cut back on everything. No eating out, not even fast food. No cable. No extras, period, until we could recover from a 50% pay cut. I worked part-time during the week at a private school in the afternoons as a curriculum coordinator while my son played with the kids that attended the after-school program (for free). I tutored children on the weekends and my husband worked every part time job he could find, including remodeling and delivering pizzas (on top of working full-time and attending school full-time.)
It was a very busy time, but this time around, it was a good busy. God was faithful and provided. Looking back, we have no regrets. Over the years, we transitioned to having five children and I have not worked outside of the home for over ten years. My son is graduating high school this upcoming school year and we have so many wonderful memories together that I treasure.
I chuckle when people say they are waiting to have children until they can afford them. Well, I don't think I'd ever have any children if I had waited. I still don't think we can afford them. ☺ There would have always been something to take away any extra money that we had. I am so glad that I followed my heart and not my mind, which would have kept me filled with worry and fear. I truly believe that I had to step out in faith to be rewarded with the blessing of being at home with my children.
So why do I homeschool?
The answer is simple. I LOVE teaching and I LOVE my children. When I combine the two, there is nothing else I'd rather be doing.
You can also read My Top Ten Reasons for Homeschooling for a quick laugh.
