Intangible Currency and a Simplified Life

 

When did it become virtuous to work oneself to death? Why has overcommitting and under sleeping come to mean we're "doing it right?" I'm guilty of the same thing- of finding ways to stay busy without any real intentionality. And, its exhausting. And frustrating. Because, the more we push ourselves, the more we struggle to do our tasks well. The more we succeed by the world's standards- throwing more and more balls in the air- the more we feel like we're failing, as our nearly perfect performance becomes more and more flawed with each new commitment. For Christians who are also trying to "be still" as the Bible tells us to, it's another reminder of all the things we are failing to do well. 

I've wrestled with this a lot. Because, the world measures worth in money, achievements, and busyness. In the absence of one, it makes sense that one would need to double up on another. As a stay at home mom with no significant financial contribution, aside from what I save us in would-be childcare, fast food costs, and skincare expenses, I've tried to increase my "value" in other ways. 

I have come to understand that everything is limited- time, strength, mental and physical energy- like a kind of intangible currency we spend to achieve the things we prioritize. When we spend it in one place it reduces the amount we have to use in another, and if we come up short we have to compensate by pulling from other areas. Overexerting in one area often means taking from another for a less than perfect end result. If we're mentally overworked, the task we're attempting often takes longer; if we feel exceptionally stressed in any area we often become irritable and short-tempered. It is discouraging to feel like you're completely spent and still came up short. But, how many of us feel like this every. Single. Day? Is it any wonder that some people give up trying?

This has been one of my hard-learned lessons over the past several years- that "be still" is not another task to accomplish, but permission to pause and breathe. What is it that we are really trying to accomplish? What tasks are causing more stress than they're worth? A question that I ask a lot when it comes to homeschooling my kids is, "what is necessary and beneficial for learning, and what is busywork that can be skipped?" 

One of the reasons, I think, people get overwhelmed by the idea of homeschooling, is because school has become such a big, complex, amorphic monster. Like so many other things in our lives, education has become a construct of rules and rubrics- a check-the-boxes-to-make-sure-nothing-is-missed deity that is a necessary evil people tolerate because they have to. I think it is time to re-evaluate this perception. All of the books and computer programs, worksheets, and teaching aids are great, but they should be tools we use, not the immovable, apathetic dictator they often become. 

What do children absolutely need to know to succeed in life? Academically, they need to know how to read and write and do math. For a long time, those were the only things that were taught in school- everything else was taught at home, learning the family trade and how to keep a home. Do you know those things well enough to teach them with the help of aids? If no, are you able to find someone who can? Suddenly, the big scary monster is a manageable size, and you are free to fill in other lessons and activities that are of interest or you feel are important. This is just one example of practical simplification, and how it gives us the freedom to enjoy our work. 

"Be still" does not mean we are meant to be idle- there are many passages in the Bible that talk about the importance of work. But, I do think it means slowing down and being intentional; clearing our minds enough that we are able to be present and engaged- with those around us and with God. Perhaps that is one of the greatest gifts children give us- engaging with and teaching them necessitates that we slow down and act intentionally. When we try to get them to move at our pace there is frustration and resentment, maybe even anger; but, if we can slow down and help them at their pace without feeling the pressure to accomplish quickly, in the end we are able to accomplish so much more with minimal discord. 

And, isn't this what Jesus taught when he was on earth? More tasks, rules, and rituals does not make a person "better." Rather, it's important to focus on what really matters. In his case it was to focus on him as the only means of salvation, but the concept applies to other areas of life, also. When we understand what matters we are able to be more efficient in the work we do, and ultimately we can accomplish more with our sanity intact. 

And so, I encourage you to be still, even in your work; to be intentional, and strip your work down to what really matters. In the end, that's the most satisfying part anyway- knowing you did something that mattered, and you did it well. 

The Academic Case for Homeschooling

 

“…Last, but not least, every child wants to know. There they are, those desires, ready to act on occasion and our business is to make due use of this natural provision for the work of education. We do make use of the desires, not wisely, but too well. We run our schools upon emulation, the desire of every child to be first; and not the ablest, but the most pushing, comes to the front. We quicken emulation by the common desire to get and to have, that is, by the impulse of avarice. So we offer prizes, exhibitions, scholarships, every incentive that can be proposed. We cause him to work for our approbation, we play upon his vanity, and the boy does more than he can. What is the harm, we say, when all those springs of action are in the child already? The athlete is beginning to discover that he suffers elsewhere from the undue development of any set of muscles; and the boy whose ambition, or emulation, has been unduly stimulated becomes a flaccid person. But there is a worse evil. We all want knowledge just as much as we want bread. We know it is possible to cure the latter appetite by giving more stimulating food; and the worst of using other spurs to learning is that a natural love of knowledge which should carry us through eager school-days, and give a spice of adventure to the duller days of mature life, is effectually choked; and boys and girls ‘cram to pass but not to know; they do pass but they don’t know.’ The divine curiosity which should have been an equipment for life hardly survives early schooldays.” (Mason, 2017)

Charlotte Mason was a teacher in England the early 1900s. Although she taught thousands of children, in her later years she began teaching parents and caregivers on how children learn and thrive best. She stressed the importance of giving children exposure to a wide variety of ideas and experiences, and giving them the freedom to interpret the information for themselves. She believed in encouraging curiosity, and guiding self-motivated learning for the sake of understanding, rather than force-feeding information that was disconnected from the world the children lived in. She believed that all children had the capacity to learn in this way- in a society where poor children learned a trade rather than receiving a formal education- regardless of their social or economic “advantage,” because all children are born with the capacity to observe and create their own ideas accordingly.

To varying degrees, homeschool families largely ascribe to this same philosophy in the instruction of their children. While textbooks and worksheets are often used, there is a more pronounced focus on real-world, experiential learning, which is more engaging and increases retention; textbook concepts are often reinforced through practical application, so there is a better understanding of their relevance for real life. This may contribute to the results of a recent study by the National Home Education Research Institute, which concluded, “The home-educated typically score 15 to 30 percentile points above public-school students on standardized academic achievement tests.” These percentages were even more pronounced in minority students. In addition, “Research facts on homeschooling show that the home-educated are doing well, typically above average, on measures of social, emotional, and psychological development. Research measures include peer interaction, self-concept, leadership skills, family cohesion, participation in community service, and self-esteem.”

The academic advantage of homeschooling extends beyond the elementary and secondary education years. Alpha Omega Publications states, “’The high achievement level of homeschoolers is readily recognized by recruiters from some of the best colleges in the nation,” said Dr. Susan Berry, who researches and writes about educational topics like the fast growing rate of homeschooling. “Schools such as Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Harvard, Stanford, and Duke University all actively recruit homeschoolers.’”

“Educational consultant and former homeschool mom Dori Staehle recruited both homeschool and public school students in her job as a college admissions counselor. Staehle said that schools have caught on to the fact that homeschoolers represent a desirable pool of talent, often possessing impressive reading lists, letters of recommendation, AP credits, and experience in volunteering and the arts.”

Business Insider states, “…the term "homeschooling" is actually kind of a misnomer: Learning at home is only part of the equation. It's really about involving the surrounding community in raising the kids — that's when education starts to excel. Away from the standardized tests and rigid schedules in public education, kids can let their creative sides flourish, learn about the world they live in, and, when it's time, earn acceptance into the best colleges in the world.”

While homeschooled students thrive academically, in the early years and through college, public school students tend to struggle. “According to research…just under 40 percent of students score at college and career ready levels on NAEP. "College and career ready" means these scores strongly predict that students will be able to succeed doing college-level academics, or with on-the-job training in a position requiring only a high school diploma.” This contrast is shocking, especially when one considers that taxpayers pay an average of $13,000 per year, per public school student.

It is daunting to undertake a task as monumental as homeschooling, and to know that your children rely on you to prepare them for the “real world” later. However, there is a lot of evidence to support the positive outcome for students taught at home, regardless of the education level of their parents. Homeschool parents are able to give their children unparalleled attention and a much more personalized education experience than even the best overworked teacher. Children learn the most through experiences, and experiences are much easier to have with the flexibility of a homeschool environment.

An Introduction to Homeschooling

 

Homeschooling has been a somewhat ambiguous idea for most people in the past. There have been a lot of narratives pushed about the homeschool lifestyle with varying levels of credibility. Some are good, some are bad; many tend to be more of the exception than the rule. Nevertheless, the stories that have been spun lead to some confusion among outsiders as to the true nature of homeschooling. This book is an attempt to remedy that, and to encourage parents that, though daunting, homeschooling is a possible, worthwhile venture that often leads to better parent-child relationships and more well-rounded individuals.

Homeschooling, quite simply, is teaching children academic principles at home. In the early years, this often includes math, writing, and reading, along with some basic science, and maybe some art or music studies. In upper elementary school it may also include foreign language, history, grammar, logic, social studies; and high school may also include government, rhetoric, debate, home economics, financial planning, and a variety of interest-specific hobbies and classes. Core classes are often influenced by the requirements of the state, but additional classes are selected based on personal interest and the values of the individual family.

There are a variety of different approaches and curricula that parents choose to utilize with their children, but the hallmark of homeschooling is flexibility. Parents have the freedom to choose their approach to teaching, as well as their timetable for doing it; some parents adhere to the traditional nine-month school year with breaks according to the local public-school schedule, while others opt to do school year-round, three days a week, or with customized breaks for family trips or major family events, such as new babies, moves, or family emergencies.

Parents also have the flexibility to speed up or slow down at various points in accordance with their students’ abilities and weaknesses. Sometimes, children pick up on a concept very quickly and can move on; other times, they struggle, and even need to take a break, and revisit the concept at a later time. Rather than repeating a concept ad nauseum, homeschool parents have the ability to step away from it for a while, and return to it at a later date when a child is better prepared and less frustrated.

In addition, homeschool parents have the ability to change their approach if a student doesn’t seem to be grasping a concept well. This can mean supplementing with something different, or even switching to a new curriculum in the middle of the year to suit their needs. Unlike public school, where teachers are often limited in their time and resources, and forced to resort to a checking-the-boxes and memorizing-the-answers approach to learning so that students often graduate with only a rudimentary understanding of critical concepts, such as reading, writing, and math (Allen, 2016), homeschool families have the luxury of being able to alter their approach, so a concept is easier to comprehend. This individualized approach helps to ensure that students intimately learn the information for themselves, instead of “slipping through the cracks” of an over-extended, one-size-fits-all approach.

Homeschooling often focuses on quality, not quantity. A typical homeschool day is often only 2-3 hours of focused work for lower levels, and 4-5 hours for high school. This means that children have more time to explore their own interests, participate in extracurricular activities, and get more sleep. Homeschoolers do not usually have homework assignments to do, because they get all of their schoolwork done during the course of the day. This shorter, more focused, and flexible approach makes it easier for children to give their attention to their studies.

One of the most advantageous elements of homeschooling is the ability for real-world learning. Homeschool students are often involved in day-to-day household activities, as well as their studies. This means that they are educated, not only in skills necessary for employment, but also keenly aware of the responsibilities of running a home. During a school day, a student may accompany their parent to the bank and discuss the reason for the visit; they may go to the grocery store and calculate the price per ounce of a specific item; they may take an impromptu field trip to an excavation site or to the zoo.

Homeschooling is less of a “thing to do” and more of a lifestyle for many families. It’s about gently coaching students to be equipped to live confidently and competitively in the “real world” once they leave home. This includes unstructured social interactions with people of all ages and backgrounds, exposure to a variety of environments, and participation in numerous activities to challenge and stretch the child, and help them discover their talents and interests.

It is difficult to accurately describe something that is as amorphous as homeschooling. The truth is, it is as unique for each family as the family itself. Let this be an encouragement as you begin to explore the possibilities of homeschooling together. There isn’t a right or wrong way to do it. Homeschooling is very much a journey- of learning what works for your family and what doesn’t; becoming intimately acquainted with your children’s learning styles and your own approach to teaching. It’s a quest for the happy medium where the children learn, trust is built, and frustration is kept to a minimum. That is probably the hardest thing to wrap one’s mind around as a new homeschooler- kids just need to learn the basics; and, if they still love learning when that’s done, and are equipped and motivated to learn things on their own, that’s a true homeschool success story!

Want to read more? Find the book here: The Science of Homeschooling

You can buy my adventure novel for young teens here!