It’s that time of year again. Sure, it’s summer here in the northern hemisphere, and you and your kids should have been enjoying the season for some time already. But it’s about time to start thinking about the next school ‘year’, at least if you’re following the traditional school year schedule.

Think we’re kidding? Well, the retailers don’t, because many stores are already gearing up for the back-to-school crowd. The July 4 through Labor Day period is actually the  second-biggest selling period after Christmas, we were surprised to learn. The competition is expected to be fierce this year.

So this is kind of a transitional period for many of us homeschoolers. You may still be homeschooling at a slower summer mode (or maybe not). For our part, we’re trying to squeeze as much fun into the schedule as we can, because we know full well that the warm weather will be gone before we know it, at least here in northern Ohio.

But this is also a good time to consider the benefits and goals of home schooling if you’re not already home schooling, or reviewing the same benefits and goals if you are. We were going to write a post on this topic, but our friends at The Teaching Home, Cindy Short and Sue Welch, beat us to the punch. So here’s their excellent article. Wish we could have said it this well:

Consider the Benefits and Goals of Home Schooling

The Benefits

     Whether you are reaffirming or reevaluating your decision to educate your children at home or are considering this option for the first time, reviewing the unique benefits of home education will provide the conviction, confidence, and commitment that you will need in order to persevere.

     For a Christian, the decision to home school should be based on a determination that this is how you can best fulfill God’s mandate to teach and train your children.

     Teaching and training your children at home can provide the optimum environment for your children’s spiritual training and character development as well as their social and academic welfare.  (Read more specifics of the benefits of home schooling in Newsletter #122.)

Your Goals

     It is easy to get caught up in the nitty-gritty of homeschooling and lose sight of what is most important.

     One way to focus on your family’s goals is to consider the question:  When our children leave our home to begin their own families:

 •   What kind of people do we want them to be?
 •   What values do we want them to embrace?
 •   What knowledge and skills do we want them to possess?
 •   How do we want them to behave?

     As you prayerfully consider all aspects of your children’s teaching and training, write out a family mission statement and long-range goals for your children.  This will give purpose, direction, and balance to your efforts.  (For more information on writing your family mission statement and goals, see Newsletters #80 and #81.)

     Your goals may include the following:

 •   Spiritual:  Know God’s Word, come to salvation, grow spiritually in faith and obedience to God’s Word, minister to others, and spread the Gospel.

 •   Character:  Development of characteristics of love, integrity, responsibility, and joy; manners; and discipline.  (See more information on character development in Newsletters #87 and #88.)

 •   Social:  Family unity and social skills.

 •   Academic:  A Christian worldview in all areas, a solid foundation in basic skills (reading, writing, math), an excellent, well-rounded education, and the ability to find information and keep learning throughout life.

 •   Life Skills:  Practical preparation for adult life.

     As you plan for the next school year, you can use these life goals to schedule specific goals and objectives for each of your children.

By Cindy Short and Sue Welch
Copyright 2007 by www.TeachingHome.com. Reprinted by permission.