Where our kids attend school is a big decision. I have considered all options thoroughly over the past years: public school, private school, and homeschooling.
I have heard lots and lots of advice.
I have come to this conclusion:
Your kids should be in the best place for THEM.
There is no one right answer for every child.
I have heard that your child should be homeschooled to protect them.
But, in reality, our kids are growing up and will be a part of the real world eventually. What a gift to be able to lead and teach them in the “real world” while they are in our home.
And what a gift for the opportunity to homeschool if a child will thrive there.
I have heard that to raise your kids in a Christian school is essential.
But, the foundation we build for our kids in our homes when they are young is what makes the deepest impact.
What a gift to have private schools if that is best for your child and a possibility.
And, what a gift to have some public schools that are excellent – not all, sadly, but many are great. Just as not every co-op or private school is great.
What a gift to have some fabulous public schools and some wonderful staff in so many public schools. And, what would happen if all Christian families took their kids out of public schools?
If the public school is teaching ideas that our families are not okay with and that unsettles us, we can always dive deeper to see if another school would be better. But, that can also be a great topic of conversation with our kids of “what we as a family believe” if they are old enough.
In life, there will be many times when we will not line up with what others’ think. It’s important for our kids to know how to be separate thinkers and to know “what we as a family believe”.
Again, I come back to there not being one right answer. We have to assess what is best for each of our children.
Some might need the smaller environment of a private school if it can be afforded.
Some kids might thrive in an even smaller environment like a Co-op with homeschooling.
Some kids might thrive in a bigger public school that might have more opportunities.
As parents, we should continue praying for the Lord to lead us as we make this decision, and to remember that the biggest decisions we need to make are…
Building a foundation of faith for our kids.
Showing them Jesus in our words and actions.
Showing them how to think for themselves.
Showing them how to serve and love others.
Praying for our kids.
And, loving our kids with all our hearts.
Whatever decision you make for your kids, may we as parents always remember that the most important decision we can make is to always love the Lord, our families, and others with all our hearts.
(*If you would like the recommendation of a book that was helpful to me in making these decisions, I’ll be happy to share it in the comments.)
Lord, we pray you would give each of us wisdom as we decide the schools our kids attend. Thank you that we have the opportunity for our kids to even go to school. Please be with families whose kids can’t go to school and provide opportunities for them. Help us to stay focused on what matters the most: loving You and loving Others. One day at a time. One moment at a time. Help us to show our kids you, Jesus, in the way we love them and others. In Jesus’ Name, amen.
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Linsey Driskill 