“So where do you go to study homeschooling?”

Good question! I’ve been asked it many times. And I wondered that, too. About 30 years ago, at the dawn of modern homeschooling, I was a committed but anxious Christian mama. My husband and I wanted to faithfully train up our growing family for the Lord at home, as we “sat in our house, walked by the way, lay down, and rose up.” (Deut. 6) But no one did that. So we had nowhere to turn for help. In fact, the word ‘homeschooling’ didn’t exist. Except for the Lord, we were very much alone. And I ached for older women who understood our convictions and could guide me in my day to day work with my children.

For instance, we began teaching school at home with six children, three school-aged and three tiny. How could I give each child what he required when they had varied needs at the same time? Should we keep regular school hours? How could I keep up with each child’s curriculum for each subject? When does cleaning house and cooking fit in? What about the constant training our toddlers needed? And on top of all this came the skeptical questions from friends and family. And my questions only multiplied as our children got older. How do we thoroughly prepare them for adulthood? HELP!

Of course, the Lord patiently carried me along this road, teaching me much through successes and failures. I now look at our married children and rejoice to see them able to avoid many of our homeschooling hurdles. But I also empathize with the many parents who are aching as I did for practical help from experienced parents who understand their convictions, fears, and struggles. Because of similar experiences, both Mary Craig and I are eager to help parents as they navigate home-based discipleship to discern God’s best for their families. So if you have questions and concerns … or just want to talk with “veterans,” come “study homeschooling” with us as we consider the “Nuts & Bolts” of this wonderful calling.

To find a Nuts & Bolts Seminar in your area, click here!  Be sure to register before the deadline of Saturday, June 1st.

Susan Bradrick

Michael & Susan Bradrick are blessed to be the parents of nine children, ages 23-42, and the grandparents of thirty-five—all of whom are being home educated. The Bradricks began homeschooling 1981, and have ministered together at many homeschool groups and conferences nationwide. They are founders and directors of Family Discipleship Ministries and co-founders and board members of CHRISTIAN HERITAGE Home Educators of Washington. Susan is the author of Understanding Writing, a Christ-centered, multi-level English and composition curriculum.

“Sepia,” © 2008 robbplusjessie. Used under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial license: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/.