Homeschool Blindspots ♦
This article by Reb Bradley is very long, but worth reading. Especially as a parent that has considered home schooling my own children.
In the homeschool community I have observed that there can be a great emphasis on outward appearance, whether it is dressing for excellence, modesty, grooming, respectful manners, music style, or an attitude of sober reverence in worship. Some even take their children down a country path of humble fashions, raising food, and making bread. Nothing is wrong with any of these things, but we must be careful - we can model for our children outward changes and easily fall into molding their behavior and/or appearance, while missing their hearts. In some circles emphasis on the outward is epidemic.
A friend of mine, a homeschool mom, just passed away of cancer. In the week before she died, I asked her if she had any regrets in her life. She told me she wished she had baked less bread - she said if she had it to do over again she would buy bread and spend more time with her children. She had invested time and energy in pursuing the “path” because she thought it was part of the spiritual homeschool package.
- Having Self-Centered Dreams
- Raising Family as an Idol
- Emphasizing Outward Form
- Tending to Judge
- Depending on Formulas
- Over-Dependence on Authority and Control
- Over-Reliance Upon Sheltering
- Not Passing On a Pure Faith
- Not Cultivating a Loving Relationship With Our Children
I think these are all elements of parenting that are worth considering, even if you’re not home schooling your children.