The first reason why I started homeschooling began the first day I put my oldest on the bus.  I literally threw myself on the bed and cried afterward.  It felt so wrong.  It took me 5 years later to get to homeschooling, but I got there.  So my number one reason was to be with my children.  I wanted to be with them, and them with me!  Well, that was nearly 2 decades ago, and the reasons have increased with the 3,000,000 articles I have read since then, and homeschool conventions I have attended, and speakers I have been priviliged to hear.  The reasons range from the excellent education that comes from learning in a more natural setting with one on one tutoring (once only for the elite), to Christ centered learning, to the horrific decline of the public schools, and on and on and on.

In a nutshell, the how of or homeschool could be described in a name;  Ruth Beechick.  Her refreshing ways came to me late, though her name hung out there in homeschoolingdom like a banner.  Other ways intrigued me, and I sprinkle them into my Beechick ways.  Classical -- I keep the learning modes of the different ages in mind when I teach -- very loosly in mind.  I like a good Bob Jones text book around for reference, and this year we are using the geography text for our full high school course.  But Ruth speaks of the powerful natural method, and IT WORKS!  Learning in context is always the best, and keeping learning goals in mind, written down, reviewing them often, and as they are in mind -- pulling them out whenever the opportunity arises -- the powerful natural method.  I LOVE RUTH BEECHICK!  I'd like to give her a big hug some day, and thank her for her encouragement.

I have 5 children, ages daughter 29, daughter 17, son 15 (next month), son 8 and son 7 -- plus 3 grandchildren - girl 5, boy 3 in March, girl 4 mo.  My husband works as an engineer, and I am thankful everyday that I have with my children, and for my husband.  The time passes all too fast, as I was able to see with a grown daughter and grandchildren.  We have but a moment, we must use it to its fullest.  I have this moment to teach my children at home -- a right we still have in this country.  I love them SO MUCH.  It can be so frustrating at times, but everything worth a great deal comes with a price.  We learn, we grow, and most of all we find that we must come to God daily for strength, direction, intervention, helps of many kinds.  He is my strength, He is my peace, He is our all in all!