How I Started Homeschooling

"How did you start homeschooling?" This is often a topic of conversation when homeschool moms meet new homeschool mom friends. When I tell my little story I often get asked for the quote that I found that set me on this path so I thought I'd share my story here and include the quote in context.

When my oldest, Lili, was turning 3 I started looking around for preschool opportunities for her. I wanted something really exceptional if I was going to pay for it. I visited one I thought was good but it just didn't feel right. I decided to mentally outline my goals for this preschool to accomplish for Lili as I set out on a new search. This time I went to the internet and did a search for "LDS preschool." This quote came up, "We become enamored with men's theories such as the idea of preschool training outside the home for young children. Not only does this put added pressure on the budget, but it places young children in an environment away from mother's influence." - Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, p. 515

Here is the same thing in another place:
"It is a fundamental truth that the responsibilities of motherhood cannot be successfully delegated. No, not to day-care centers, not to schools, not to nurseries, not to babysitters. We become enamored with men's theories such as the idea of preschool training outside the home for young children. Not only does this put added pressure on the budget, but it places young children in an environment away from mother's influence. Too often the pressure for popularity, on children and teens, places an economic burden on the income of the father, so mother feels she must go to work to satisfy her children's needs. That decision can be most shortsighted. It is mother's influence during the crucial formative years that forms a child's basic character. Home is the place where a child learns faith, feels love, and thereby learns from mother's loving example to choose righteousness. How vital are mother's influence and teaching in the home-and how apparent when neglected!" (Ensign, Nov. 1981, p. 104)

I knew that that was an answer to my prayers, without a doubt. I decided that doing it ourselves wouldn't be too out of the ordinary and went for it. We did some workbooks and lots of games and mostly just had fun together. I had a new baby during that time and was so grateful I wasn't taking her back and forth to preschool!

When Lili was 4 I realized that she would be turning 5 in September and that because we live in Utah (in Maine where I grew up the cut-off date is in October sometime) she would have to wait a whole extra year to go to kindergarten. I thought that was unreasonable for her since she was already far ahead of her traditional school group. I decided to call the school district to see what provisions there were for a child who was ready to enter kindergarten "early." I found the district to be completely unsympathetic and condescending. It was the "every mother thinks her child is the exception" attitude. They said I could petition to have her tested and that if I was granted that privilege and she passed the tests they wouldn't necessarily let her in early. How futile is that? So, I thought preschool wasn't that big a deal so I could do kindergarten, make sure she could pass the test, and then petition to have her enter into 1st grade early. That never happened. After those first few years I had such a "testimony" of homeschooling that I never looked back. Heavenly Father has confirmed to me over and over that this is what He wanted for our family. It has been such a blessing. I am so grateful for his guidance!