Whenever people hear the word “home-school” they immediately draw a conclusion in their minds as to what that family is like. Its generally an unfair application but we all do it. For instance, someone born and raised in the south, when he hears the words “New York” he almost always thinks of New York City. However, New York is filled with vast acres of farmland and dairy farms. Thus, the implication applies to the words “home-school.”
We do home-school our three children but its more than just an educational process. For instance today (January 14) I have the day off of work and will be finishing tile in our bathroom. We are observing a “day off” from the educational portion of home-schooling to take this opportunity to “home-educate.” My two oldest girls will be helping me and my wife getting the house ready to sell. One will help me with the tile, doing the grout, bringing pieces of tile and observing the process. I am not teaching them to be a tile layer in their profession but I want the to have some life skills, this is what I mean by home education. It is not limited to home-schooled children, anyone can and should be a home educator.
What I hope to do in the life of my precious girls is teach them life skills. To me this is one of the greatest responsibilities that I have as a father. College cannot prepare them for what can be taught in everyday life by parents. Here are just a few things I involve my children in.
- How to check the oil, water, tire pressure and what gauges mean inside
- Cutting the grass
- Cleaning gutter
- Managing maintenance on a pool i.e. chemicals, vacuum etc.
- Painting and basic house maintenance skills
I believe its important to teach our children basic life skills that is going to help them in this world. These are things they will not learn on TV. Yes, these are important but as you spend time with your children its a great opportunity to share God’s word in daily duties that have to be done.
Psalms 144:12 “That our sons [may be] as plants grown up in their youth; [that] our daughters [may be] as corner stones, polished [after] the similitude of a palace.”
