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Homeschooling with Six Children

© Rachel Vardis

Homeschooling = to educate your child at home. Sounds simple enough, right?

Yet, somehow it isn't that simple. Laws have to be followed. Schedules have to be adhered to. Curriculums have to be planned. So much to do and so little time...

My journey with homeschooling began 10 years ago when I was expecting my first child to be born. My husband and I attended a marriage seminar that touched ever so lightly on the benefits of homeschooling. After much prayer, we decided to give it a go. We were impressed with the fact that we as parents have a G-d given responsibility to educate our children. (Proverbs 22:6 to name one) Little did we know what was in store for us! This decision was a major one to be made. We now have 6 children (4 boys and twin girls) -- 4 of which are being schooled now (the other 2 are only 2 years old).

During the years, I had lots of homework to do! That's right -- homework! You are wondering what I mean? Let me explain. I had to research the different styles of homeschooling. Yes, there is more than one way to homeschool! I had to find what I thought would be right for me. Little did I know then that it really depends on the child, not the teacher. You see, each child learns in a different way. The mentality of public schools is that each child can learn by bookwork. Some children are hands on learners (like my first child Josiah) and others do fine with workbook format (like my second son Joel). Still others need that extra push (like my third son Joshua) and to others everything is impossible (like my fourth son Jonathan).

Before I had these children I assumed that my children would have the same attitude towards school as I did -- soak everything up! Boy, was I wrong! My first son and I continually butt heads about everything. He loves art and nothing else. I, on the other hand love math. I could not understand (and sometimes still don't) how anyone could not have the same admiration that I do for that particular subject! You see, he is artistically inclined and does not lean towards logical thinking as I do. So, the clash began!

I had to learn to adapt to Josiah's learning style. As a result, I try to make his school time as "fun" as possible. I allow him to his art lesson first so his brain will be stimulated for learning that day. After all, you can attract more bees with honey, no? I love Josiah very much and one day he will probably invent a cure for something. He is always thinking and thinking and of course drawing!

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