“So, can just anyone teach at a Christian school?”
The question was from my sister-in-law, a public school teacher with a Master’s degree.
I don’t remember how I responded to her question, but I do remember the self-doubt it prompted.
Who IS qualified to teach my children?
If public and private school teachers are required to have degrees, are my kids getting jipped because I’m not an “expert?”
What if I’m not qualified?
[clickToTweet tweet=”Skeptics will question your ability to educate your kids, but I believe your biggest critic, Mama, is yourself.” quote=”Naysayers abound who will question a mother’s ability to educate her own children, but I believe that a homeschooling mother’s biggest critic is often herself.” theme=”style6″]
We moms have quite a talent for under-rating ourselves.
In a culture crazed with degrees and formal education, is it any wonder we easily find ourselves feeling inadequate?
3 Things to Consider Regarding Who is Qualified to Teach Our Children
1. Homeschooling is NOT a reconstructed model of the public school system.
When people compare us to society’s standard, we don’t make sense. And, really, should that surprise us?
Home education should be so far removed from the culture’s model that the two aren’t even comparable.
“What is most important and valuable about the home as a base for children’s growth into the world is not that it is a better school than the schools, but that it isn’t a school at all.”
John Holt
2. As a homeschooling parent, God has called YOU to teach your children.
Deuteronomy 6:5-9 lays out a command to parents to “diligently teach” their own children the ways of God.
And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.
And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:
And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.
And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes.
And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.”
To me, this principle is extremely freeing because I am no longer accountable to anyone’s expectations but God’s.
Am I striving to please and obey Him? If I am, then other people’s opinions are of no consequence.
“No one is as qualified as the parent to know how much or at what pace he should teach the child, what the child’s requirements are for freedom or guidance.”
Murray N. Rothbard
On a side note, I am not talking about disregarding state laws regarding education. I’m simply addressing the needless pressure homeschooling moms often feel in order to reach perceived expectations from those around them. Obviously, homeschoolers should honor Federal and state requirements regarding academics. I believe that is far different from trying to squeeze home education into the classroom mold.
3. You are NOT in a contest with other homeschool moms.
Honestly, I think this is one of the biggest traps we mothers fall into. We compare ourselves and generally come out feeling insecure.
There will always be someone who is more organized than we are or better educated or whose children seem more advanced than ours.
Refuse to fall for the mirage that someone else is perfect and that you’re messing everything up.
Humbly embrace your own inadequacies, and realize that other homeschool mothers need friendship and encouragement, not jealousy or criticism.
If you struggle with insecurity and feelings of inadequacy in homeschooling your children, let me remind you: our sufficiency is always found in Jesus Christ.
Because we depend upon Him, not only are we free from pride and self-sufficiency, but we are free from self-doubt as well.
When we look to Christ for the strength, wisdom, and grace to daily train and educate our children, we can rest in HIS sufficiency.
He is enough, and He has promised to meet our every need.
“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, who giveth to all men liberally and upbraideth not.”
James 1:5
If you’re an educated mom with a fancy degree, that’s great.
If you’re like me, a mama who got her MRS degree and decided on the Mommy career, that’s great, too!
Regardless of your formal education, background, or previous experience, you are more than qualified to do what God has called you to do.
Refuse to feel insecure, dear mother. It is God’s business to equip you, and it is your business to obey.
GETTING TO THE HEART OF IT ALL
Do you ever feel inadequate as a homeschooling mother?
Scripture reading: II Corinthians 3:5
This post is an excerpt from Homeschooling Day by Day.
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If you’re in need of homeschooling encouragement and practical help, I hope you’ll take a peek at the ebook I wrote with ten other homeschooling moms!
You can read reviews of Homeschooling Day by Day, or buy the Kindle version,right here on Amazon.
For more homeschooling encouragement, please consider joining my private Facebook group just for homeschooling moms, right here!
Kristy has been a SAHM since 2003 + considers herself a professional (albeit very imperfect) mother. When she’s not lost in a pile of laundry or chauffeuring her kids somewhere, Kristy avidly reads, writes, + dreams of visiting the coast. Admittedly, she overthinks, sleeps too little, and finds typos everywhere (even on her own blog). Kristy is a proud Army mom, and is still in the trenches homeschooling her four younger kids. She’s passionate about helping other SAHMs elevate personal style, home, + wellness – affordably, and one habit at a time. Connect with Kristy on FB + IG @simplykristylynn.
To be honest, I have never had a moments doubt about teaching my children.
1. God called me to do it, and I believe he will equip me – or lead me to someone who can help.
2. I figure if my mom was able to teach us – I am able to teach my own.
Maybe something is wrong with me to never doubt. It happens a lot with other things. Teaching my children is the only thing I have ever been fully confident in. I do know it’s with God’s help and not on my own. “His grace is sufficient in me” (paraphrase of 2 Corinthinans 12:9) This is my verse for when the schooling gets tough – because it does happen. It also helps to have a great support system – my side is the family is totally for us, and certain ones on my husbands side.
I do however, see this a lot in the homeschooling crowd, so I am glad you addressed it. It needs to be said, and under normal circumstances, I believe the parents are the best to teach their children.
Thank you again for another great article!
Mikki,
I have always felt like I had that same under girding confidence as a homeschooling mom, too: my mom was a wonderful home educator and I knew I was called to this as well (and the Lord equips who He calls, right?).
So many moms struggle with insecurity and lack of confidence in this area, however. My prayer is that the Lord will use something I say to inspire hope and confidence in another mom… we can do this!
I love hearing from you… thank you for reading and commenting, friend!
To be honest, I have never had a moments doubt about teaching my children.
1. God called me to do it, and I believe he will equip me – or lead me to someone who can help.
2. I figure if my mom was able to teach us – I am able to teach my own.
Maybe something is wrong with me to never doubt. It happens a lot with other things. Teaching my children is the only thing I have ever been fully confident in. I do know it’s with God’s help and not on my own. “His grace is sufficient in me” (paraphrase of 2 Corinthinans 12:9) This is my verse for when the schooling gets tough – because it does happen. It also helps to have a great support system – my side is the family is totally for us, and certain ones on my husbands side.
I do however, see this a lot in the homeschooling crowd, so I am glad you addressed it. It needs to be said, and under normal circumstances, I believe the parents are the best to teach their children.
Thank you again for another great article!
Mikki,
I have always felt like I had that same under girding confidence as a homeschooling mom, too: my mom was a wonderful home educator and I knew I was called to this as well (and the Lord equips who He calls, right?).
So many moms struggle with insecurity and lack of confidence in this area, however. My prayer is that the Lord will use something I say to inspire hope and confidence in another mom… we can do this!
I love hearing from you… thank you for reading and commenting, friend!