About HomeHearts
With the exception of a few initial hiccups, we have homeschooled our children since our oldest started kindergarten. Our oldest is now enjoying those high school years! We have faced the same trials many homeschoolers face: "is this crazy?," fighting doubts over "socialization," wondering if we were doing enough, being tossed here and there by various approaches, struggling to stay off every curriculum bandwagon that passed our way, meeting the challenges of handling criticism for our choices, making time to get it all done, homeschooling through deaths in the family, illness and moves. While there have admittedly been a few ups and downs, we wouldn’t trade this journey for anything. The Lord has used this time to grow our family closer Him and to each other. We are truly blessed!
Our focus at HomeHearts has always been on homeschooling from the heart. As Marilyn Howshall said some time ago, "It is our own character and heart that must be trained and then that of our children." While we realize there are as many different ways to homeschool as there are families who homeschool, we are partial to those approaches that appreciate the giftings of each child, allow them to grow as individuals at their own rate, and above all to "do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with [their] God" (Micah 6:8). So while we use a few textbooks here and there, we primarily advocate natural methods and ideas that will grow alongside our children. We have prayerfully looked at each approach to homeschooling, borrowed what was best for our family and left the rest. We would encourage you to do the same!
When we first started this web site in 2001, our hope was to help those new to homeschooling get started. Over the years as we have grown (as have our children!), our priorities have also expanded a bit. While we still seek to encourage those just starting out, we also wish to encourage homeschooling families to seek God first as His purposes are perfect for your family. Second, we seek to encourage homeschool families to look at each child as an individual and respond to his or her needs. And finally, we seek to offer avenues of support for those who are on the trail behind us.
“Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.” - Philippians 3:12
May God richly bless you and your family on this journey!
