ANY! If FlakyLMD can, then I KNOW any one else can. As I had shared in my novel on how we got started etc. See Here I was nervous about doing it "right" and not that it was the "right" thing to do. I also shared that my seventh grader has a college reading level, excels in all subjects, is well balanced and happy. He was my first, and who we learned on for home schooling right? My youngest, who's finishing first grade, is reading 4th or 5th grade level. He is also well balanced, and happy.

Now who's teaching them? As I share the following information, please understand I am not wallowing in any pity, nor do I have a severe complex. Don't write me and say, "Oh you poor dear!" Christ took a hold of me, grew me, changed me, and shaped me. I've ended up with a truly BLESSED life, equivalent of a college education, and I'm secure with my worth in this world, ok? I just want to share some of the details to kinda make my point. :o)

I was a juvy delinquent. I went though some trauma when I was thirteen years old. I never received any counseling, and it started me on a downward spiral. You know the usual drugs, drinking, trouble making. I never finished high school. I failed all the classes I managed to attend. When we moved and I started getting right with God, I quit school cause it would have taken me until I was twenty-one to graduate. If you want to hear how I "got educated" then write me. :o)

Years down the way I marry the man of my dreams, and we have a child. Now here I am, basically never even attended high school, much less graduated from it. Did I learn right along with him? Oh yeah! Plus I asked a billion questions of everyone I could latch onto. I PRAYED, I read, I looked up, and most of all I committed my heart to a lifestyle I knew was God's plan, would be BEST for my child. Any parent willing to commit, can do it!! Those things I was weak on, we found a way to adjust for. The parents main job is get their child motivated, and keep them focused. You certainly don't have to know all the material! After all there are answer keys. LOL!

One of the most simple but in reality "deep" things I learned was that it was NATURAL for a parent to teach their children. Who teaches them spoken language? How to walk? How to roll a ball? How to pick up after themselves, how to be kind, share, etc.? Who taught their children for centuries before the inception of "public" schools? This country home schooled their children to start with, then used private schools. As government got power hungry, they decided to take it over. (we all know how what a failure it's been at it) Your relationship with your child is "made" for home schooling. You have materials, resources, and support systems galore. You CAN do it, but WILL you?

Mistakes can be corrected and little blunders won't "ruin" any one. You think trained teachers always do it "right", all the time? There is testing, and other ways of detecting areas of need. One of the glorious benefits of home schooling is the time and freedom to work on weakness, and expand strengths. Besides the fact that they benefit from near one on one tutoring. Struggling through issues with a determination to overcome can be good. *tee hee* Some of my son's best school moments was when we were struggling through a math concept together. I had answer book, curriculum guides and we read, tried, and tinkered. *ding* A light would go on in his head and he would explain it to ME. He was the one to figure it out, and He loved it! We both learned, and he gained in a hundred ways. We had respect for each other, and rejoiced in our strengths.

I am proud of my children, and proud of all of us as a family. We have shown a character, a moral strength, a spirit of determination that is beautiful to behold. It's easier to say "I can't", to be afraid, to let someone else raise and teach. It's very easy to excuse myself, talk myself into believing someone else can do better, or say that it's just not "right" for my family. I could very easily say I can't do a good job, I'm not qualified, or even we can't afford it. There have been times when I thought I'd go crazy, throttle everyone, or weep my way into depression! We have done it, and and I wouldn't trade it for anything. Your child will only gain. As the years pass and you both look back, they will be so grateful for having parents that not only loved them enough to have and keep them, but loved them enough to raise and teach them.

I could write a whole separate article on what's wrong with public schools. I could show with overwhelming evidence the evil and dangers of the public school systems. I could make a excellent Biblical argument for any Christian to keep their children home. I could give studies, polls and solid results that show home schooling provides a better education, and happier kids. If you weigh the pros and cons in your own mind, you'll know it's the best choice for your child. It's all a matter of doing it. Committing to a lifestyle that won't always be easy, but is right. Determine to do your best to raise Godly children for Him. Always lean on His strength, wisdom, energy, and patience. Learn all that YOU can, take advantage of the resources available. God will bless your family, and you'll never look back wondering if you should have, could have, ought to have??

God has already equiped you to teach your children. He gave them to you to start with. Yes, even you can do it.