Chapter by Chapter - Educating the Wholehearted Child Ch. 1

Home Education. . .A Step of Faith Toward Home

This book is just packed full of info. . .hmmm, where to start? Okay, how about chapter 1, lol!

First, I love the layout of this book - the related quotes, scriptures, and interesting tidbits that are in the margins offer a nice mini-break while reading the longer passages. A couple that stood out that were in line with part of the Beechick book I mentioned about learning and knowing "how" to learn:

"He is educated who knows how to find out what he doesn't know." George Simmel, German Philosopher

"Therefore, teaching, talk and tale, however lucid or fascinating, effect nothing until self-activity be set up; that is, self-education; the rest is mere veneer laid on the surface of a child's nature. Charlotte Mason, A Philosophy of Education, 1925

The Clarkson's definitely hold very strong religious beliefs about homeschooling and offer up numerous reasons and scriptural support for their beliefs. Even as someone who has already chosen to homeschool, I found this chapter somewhat heavy. I guess in part because of the reality that it delivers as they speak about being willing to accept the limitations and sacrifices of homeschooling, as well as valuing the eternal and becoming a servant like Jesus, giving up our own lives for our children. The cost of ministry, the cost of lifestyle, the cost of commitment. It's carries a heap of conviction, a spoonful of guilt and a dash of inadequacy. Ugh.

Certainly being a parent is already a huge task and when you add a commitment to be solely responsibility for your children's education, it seem monumental. This chapter lays they out very well with contrasting charts examining homeschooling vs. ps in the areas of academic/education, socialization, and teacher-child relationships.

One thing this chapter makes clear is that homeschooling is not easy, nor should it be entered into lightly. However, once that decision has been made, the Clarkson offer up encouragement and assurance that you CAN do it and that, YES, you are qualified!

I liked the note at the end of the chapter that acknowledged the fact that even the best and most solid reasons and arguments for homeschooling, will not carry you very far *on their own*.

"When you're up to your eyeballs with children, housework, home business, activities, responsibilities, bills, broken appliances, car trouble, and you-don't know-the-troubles-I-seen, those nicely reasoned arguments are going to ring pretty hollow. When you are pushed to the limits, only a tested and seasoned faith will take you beyond." pg. 22

And one last quote I enjoyed:

"I would rather my child had a limited education and access to limited educational resources, and yet learned by basking in the atmosphere of someone who had true pleasure in the books that were pursued, than that he should go to some well-equipped and soulless situation where, theoretically, he could 'learn' at optimum speed." Susan Schaeffer Macaulay (For the Children's Sake, 1984)

Challenging, Inspiring reading! If you'd like to learn more about the author and their ministry visit:  Wholeheart Ministries