Admittedly, homeschoolers don't often find themselves on the defensive
in Christian circles. Their critics are more likely to be those with a
liberal, socialistic viewpoint, or family members who object for
personal reasons. However, such criticism does little to dampen their
enthusiasm. With a profusion of homeschooling books, magazines, support groups
and curriculum fairs on hand, it's no wonder that homeschoolers heartily
endorse their choice!

 Diane of Georgia currently teaches her 6-year-old son at home. "We
homeschool Nick and chose to do so after raising our three grown kids
and going through the public school system [with them]!" she said. A
passionate supporter of homeschooling, she continues, "I wish I had
known about homeschooling back then!" Diane likes being able to adjust her
teaching to her son's capabilities. "Nick will be in first grade in
September," she says, "but we did 2nd grade math during kindergarten.
In public school he would be forced to fit into what the other kids are
capable of doing."

 Stacie of Oregon, who plans to join the homeschooling movement as soon
as her two sons are school-aged, adds, "The one-on-one [teaching]
really appeals to me, as well as knowing exactly what is being taught to my
child." The interesting thing about Stacie is that she was once
anti-homeschooling! "I was totally against homeschooling and so were my
parents," she says. "You know, the sheltering thing and all that. I
know now that it's a personal choice that parents have to make. I know that
if I do homeschool they will be ‘sheltered' to a degree, but there are so
many opportunities to interact with other kids – sports, band, AWANA,
ACTS, Sunday School, youth group – I'm not even worried."

 Marissa* is currently homeschooling, but that's just part of her
unique story. "We have had our oldest in Christian schools, a private school,
and we now homeschool," she explains. "We are homeschooling because
that is what is best for him at this point, but we are planning on taking it
one year at a time for that decision." Is public school an option for
the future?  Her answer may surprise you. "My heartfelt desire is for him
to have a burden to be a witness in a public high school and request to
attend one," she says. "We'll see how he progresses." Will Marissa use
the same approach with her younger son? "We are doing preschool type
activities with our next one at home. We are also taking things one
year at a time with him." Does that mean she's not totally sold-out to the
idea of homeschooling? "I love doing school with my kids – it is a real
joy to me and I can't imagine not wanting to continue, but I do want to
seek the Lord's face every year to be sure that we are doing what is
best for each child. For now, I'm loving every minute of it!"

For those who choose to send their children to private, Christian
schools, the criticism may come from a particularly zealous
homeschooler, as well as those who let a bad experience with a private school color
their thinking.

However, Lynne of California is perfectly satisfied with her son's
private Christian school. "He has been there since kindergarten and
will be in the 3rd grade this fall." She remembers the day she registered
her son for kindergarten. "I checked the school out and it met all my
expectations," she explains. "I got up at 4:00 am that Monday morning
in March to go register him. Many people had spent the night in the
parking lot so they could be towards the head of the line. I remember realizing
that I had never come up with a Plan B in case he wasn't accepted. In
my heart I just knew this was where the Lord wanted my son – after much
prayer, of course. Since the school goes from K-12, I'm sure my son
will remain there until the Lord reveals another plan."

Kathy of Hawaii is also enthusiastic about the Christian school her
son has attended since kindergarten. "We definitely wanted our son to have
schooling with a Christian influence," she says. "He will be in 3rd
grade this fall. His school is small, K-12 with about 300 students. There is
a real family atmosphere with the older kids looking out for the younger
ones." Did she and her husband consider other options? "We had thought
about homeschooling," Kathy says, "but after some struggles with doing
homework, I firmly believe we have made the right decision."

 How does Lynne feel about homeschooling? "I have many friends who
homeschool and I really admire them for doing so," Lynne says. "That
choice requires a lot of sacrificing for sure! I don't have the
patience to do it, so I'm thankful that isn't what the Lord laid on my heart."

 For some, private schooling is considered a luxury they just can't
afford, but that's not how Lynne sees it. "For us it's just another
expense, like the gas bill or the water bill. We don't think of it as
optional or as a luxury. But of course," she concedes, "since the Lord
has only blessed us with one child, it is more affordable for us than
it would be for some others." 

 Those Christians most often put on the defensive about their choice of
education are the parents who send their children off to be educated at
public school, but the reasons behind this decision show the thought
that was put into it.

 As Marissa* said earlier, she hopes that someday her son will ask to
attend a public high school. She and others of a like mind see the
public school system as a mission field where their children can shine the
light of truth like candles in the dark.

Others, like Melodie of California, studied the options and decided
that not only was public school the only viable option, but that it could
meet their need for excellence. "My kids' middle school is voted number one
in California," Melodie says, "It's only 4 years old, a beautiful school
with great programs. They have a full computer lab, and this last year
my 11 year old had his own laptop computer at his desk. They have been
supplied with the best, and I'm thankful for that."

What about Christian schools? "We would have put our kids in Christian
school," Melodie admits, "but we cannot afford it. The Christian
schools out here in California are very high, and I have four kids." For
others, the local Christian school simply may not offer the electives they
desire.

Did Melodie consider the homeschooling option? "I will be the first to
admit that I am not the homeschool type and do not feel led to do it,"
Melodie states. "My kids love school and the interaction with the other
kids. I like our school year routine and feel very blessed to at least
have them in a wonderful public school system."

 Each one of these Christian women considered the schooling options
carefully before reaching a decision. Each one spent time in prayer.
How then can anyone argue over their choices? Obviously, when it comes to
the education of our children, every choice could be the right one,
depending on where the Lord leads.

* This woman's name was changed to protect her privacy online. To
protect the privacy of the other participants, only their first names were
used.