Why We Do What We Do....

A friend and I were chatting at our Monday morning playdate today. We chat about A LOT of subjects, but today we touched on childhood and what it's starting to look like these days.

My children are young; 5 1/2 and 4-next-month. My friend has children in a wide range of ages. If it weren't for the homeschool community, I never would have gotten to know her. (And I am glad I did!!) We both agreed that "childhood" in this day and age is hardly what it used to be when we were growing up. I remember spending all summer outside in the backyard, finding, and making up, things to do. There were no Ipods, Angry Birds, or round the clock kids channels when I was young. (yep, I'm older than the internet...ancient, huh? lol)

I didn't have any interest (or expectations) about having a "boyfriend" until Junior High. I didn't wear make-up til I was 14 (and I wasn't allowed very much of it, then). When I was 11, I was still "secretly" playing with my barbies...I just didn't talk about it at school.

In other words, I had a slow, easy going childhood. I was allowed to develop the interest in "growing up" at a reasonable age.

I want the same for my children.

We are already counter-cultural, being a Christian family in a society where right and wrong has become "relative". Throw in "homeschoolers" and there are a lot of people who think we are just plain nuts.

But I'm not sorry. I want the best for my children. I think it's best that they are homeschooled, and I think it's best that they have a "slow childhood". Have you ever heard any dying man say "Boy, I wish I had pushed my kids to grow up way too fast!!"........ ?? Yeah, me neither.

Homeschooling removes them from the majority of the mainstream culture that screams at them "GROW UP, NOW!!"

I have no interest in short skirts and boyfriends for my 4 year old girl. I have no interest in my 5yr old son being up-to-date on the latest R-rated action movie.

And I have no interest in those things for them 10 years from now, but I know THEY probably will. And at THAT time, I will address those issues.

But for now, I enjoy the bliss of a summer day spent outside exploring, baby dolls that need to be rocked, block towers that need to be built, and play-doh creations waiting to happen.

Because a 4 and 5 year old need to be 4 and 5, not 14 and 15.

In this household, they get to be....
and that is why we do what we do.