Writeup on HE

As soon as a married couple blessed with a child, it is natural that they started making plans. When the child is about to start education it is obvious that we select the best Catholic school and make other arrangements in education so that he/she could face the changing demands of the future world. We were also the same. As a couple who received Christ’s love through youth formation and being parts of the pre-teens ministry; God allowed us to hear the unseen cry of the children. So when our kids started school, God allowed us to see the peer pressures they undergo even at the age of 4 and the various influences they were having from the school environment made us to listen to what God want us to do. Like all who walk in the light of God hear the voice ‘This is the way, keep to it’ whether you turn right or left (Isaiah 30/21), we reached a stage in relation to the education of our God given kids. Our journey of home education commenced after a long time of discernment and trusting in God. This journey was very similar to an ‘Exodus’.

The first point we discern was the definition of education. The primary meaning of education as per dictionary is the act or process of imparting or acquiring general knowledge, developing the powers of reasoning and judgment and generally of preparing oneself or others intellectually for mature life. The secondary and tertiary meaning of education is connected with schooling.  When we look through the Bible we could see Jesus, a 12 year old who was able to debate with scribes. Also in Daniel 13,the young Daniel able to help Susanna out of wisdom .Catechism of Catholic Church  teaches in 2221 ‘the role of parents in education is of such importance that it is impossible to provide an adequate substitute. The right and the duty of parents to educate their children are primordial and inalienable. In article 2223 she teaches as ‘Parents have the first responsibility for the education of their children. They bear witness to this responsibility first by creating a home where tenderness, forgiveness, respect, fidelity and disinterested service are the rule. The home is well suited for education in the virtues, the home is the natural environment for initiating a human being into solidarity and command responsibilities (2224).  While reflecting these thoughts we could easily say that only through home education the above virtues and formation of a child is possible.

The definition of education clearly shows academic learning or schooling is only a small part of education. The family is the heart of society. Majority of learning happens through various experiences one undergoes. Through home education children is able to spend most of their time with family and thus able to see the beauty of the family life. They are able to witness how parents resolve conflicts and continue the beauty of the marriage with Thy help. They also learn the trust in God’s providence as in home educating families need to depend on single working parent where most family survive with dual income. These learnings help them to face any adverse difficulties in that life with trust in God. Children see new babies coming into families and its joy and struggle, they see how sickness and financial struggles been addressed with faith in God. All these learnings are beyond the walls of a classroom. Love begins at home. In fact home schooling is the continuous act of giving and sacrificing for the best people in the world – your own children in reflecting the life of Christ.  

There are many days when the day begin with the toddler wants to fed her selves, pouring cereals and milk on flour, baby is crying , middle schooler who is not able to dress properly and clock ticking to start the school. There my husband pop in on the way to do something realises my struggle and step in calming the baby and feeding the child, making a cup of tea for me and reassure things and to get on with the rhythm of the day. It is important to be connected and united with the spouse to continue the roles of God given responsibility as a home schooling parent. Every year we come back and look at his insights, activities and work together as a family.

  

The key advantage in home education is on passing on the faith. One of the great blessing in home schooling is living the sacramental life in the family. As a family we have been able to attend daily H. Mass. One of the main thing our family enjoyed being together is celebrating the annual feasts and seasons of liturgical year at home which is the domestic church; it brings a lot of happiness, life, joy and creativity to little children to adults. It could be an art project, doing a craft, reading and following the traditions, making a cuisine with children. Stories of the many saints are incorporated into our daily routine and many insights drawn from their lives has become a great source of encouragement in many of our struggles in the daily lives. The best thing we found through home education is meeting up a number of extra ordinary people. Prolife families both Christian and non Christian who are very concerned about the society. All families are very welcoming and share most of their resources with one another. One day we have been talking to a Catholic family with 7 children and the mother was saying we are in the process of making saints not scholars, so there is not much pressure about the competitive world.

 

We consider this as our primary vocation. Our family gained many blessings through home schooling, it has broadened my perspective about education, my vocation as a mother, inspired me a lot and empowered me. Moreover this has helped me to grow in faith and developed a deeper love towards the Mother Church and a love towards my fellow beings around through my thoughtfulness, time and understanding. Many times in doubts and in difficulties, I look up to Mary our mother who experienced the highest peaks and lowest depths of motherhood.' Let her name depart from your lips; never allow it to leave your heart'.

I am reminded of these words of Theresa of Avila that He leads me always:

                 Let nothing disturb you.  Let nothing frighten you.

                  For all things pass save God, Who does not change

                            Be patient and at the last, You will find all fulfilment

                                   Hold God and nothing will fail you

                                    For he alone is all.