I don’t know about you, but as the mother of young children, I am encouraged to see college students and adults who were home schooled and doing well. It reminds me on those not so great days, that I really am doing right by my kids. I tend not to be able to see their gifts as readily as I can what they’re lacking and I can’t help but wonder if somehow I left a gap. Sometimes it seems that the bad days must hold significantly more influence than the good days do.
So last night I was delighted to attend the senior recital of my babysitter and dear friend, Amanda. She was home schooled her entire life. The recital consisted of her own compositions and to say that we were all impressed was an understatement. I’m sure it would’ve been nice if she had written her own piano music. . .but her music was for full bands, several instruments, vocals and was heavily influenced by other cultures. But I digress.
I know Amanda’s parents very well. Her mom is not a super teacher and I highly doubt she’d claim to be. She’s not a super organizer and I don’t think she’d claim to be that either. She’s just a plain mom. . .just like you and I. I don’t think she did anything spectacular with Amanda. . .in fact, if I remember correctly, Amanda was home schooled largely on those workbooks that I disdain so much.
And yet, I wish you could have all been at the concert last night to see a young lady clearly thriving in every way. I posit that she was thriving because her parents did a few very simple things. They were invested in her education. More importantly, they were invested in her holistic development. I know them, so I know they had rough days. . .and yet giving up was not an option. They just faithfully kept going.
Amanda rightly acknowledged her parents in her program stating that they gave her fertile soil in which her mind could grow. That’s exactly it. We are providing fertile soil for our children. It gave me the image of home schooling as tending a garden. It’s work, but done faithfully, will yield beautiful blossoms.