One of the objections people have to homeschooling is that they do not feel qualified to teach every subject or any subject at all. I understand. I had to wrestle with that issue and here’s what I came up with.
In the beginning, I had doubts that I could teach my children how to read. As I talked with this dear friend of mine, a lady with a Ph. D. and decades of experience as a school teacher and principal, she said to me, “My daughter felt the same way. But then she took a Primer and worked her way through it with her first son. She realized it wasn’t all that hard.”
I thought, “If she can do it, I can do it.”
Then I read the stats: women with no college degree can teach their children at home better than certified teachers. It’s easier to focus when you have one or two or even four students than when you have 20. Well, I have a college degree and have learned several languages. And I only have two children. Surely I can try my hand at this teaching thing.
As I cracked open math books and writing curricula, I wondered if I could do it. The same doubts came back.
That’s when I remembered I felt called to homeschool my children. It wasn’t something I came up with. He Who calls you is faithful, says the Bible. I knew I could trust in the Lord Jesus to help me. “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, Who giveth to all men liberally and upbraideth not…” wrote the apostle James.
It really helped to know that Somebody would lead me in this homeschooling adventure. I was not alone. I would not be alone.
I would not make academic decisions in a vacuum. Somebody Who loves my children with an infinite love would stand at the ready to point me this way or that.
Have you listened to “He Shall Lead His Flock” lately? “He shall… gently lead those that are with young.” Are you with young? There is a Gentle Leader ready to help you along.
When you feel inadequate academically as a home educator, remember your Gentle Leader. He will guide you.
