Home-Schooling and Paganism
January 17, 2011 in Guests
As a Home-Schooling Parent I find life is great! Home Schooling and Paganism go hand in hand in lots of ways. We have more time to spend with our children and can teach them about nature and Science in the same day and to look at things in a different perspective.
Most people today say “we don’t have time!!” or “We both have to work and life is too chaotic.” But we have found that home-schooling actually makes our lives easier. We have a very relaxed schedule and can go where my daughter needs to be. This actually has put her ahead of the game by one to two grade levels of most of the kids her age.
So Why Home-school?
My husband and I first discussed this very question when my daughter was first born. And after very little discussion we knew this was the way to go for us. At four we started to seriously do kindergarten curriculum that we felt she was ready to do. Now in the state of Florida the age to start homeschooling and recording information is actually six years of age. Another reason why we home-school is that nature Walks and pets are a big part of our life. So they can be a part of our curriculum.
We incorporate religion regularly as she’s usually my hubby’s guinea pig for his blog “PaganDad”. It is Paganism that leads us into history lessons, science and nature lessons, vocabulary, and of course religion. This is a huge reason to home-school if you’ve ever thought about trying it out.
Socialization
Now don’t get me wrong, home-schooling isn’t always easy and isn’t for everyone. Some kids need the school environment to thrive but we have found that our daughter does well without it. One of the most oft-asked questions I hear so many people ask is, “What about the socialization aspect?” And by the gods I hate that question as so do many of the home-schoolers I know. How is a child that runs around Home-shcooling Co-Ops and Girl Scouts with all those other kids be unsocialized? Now don’t get me wrong I’ve met a couple of very shy home-schooled kids but most of the ones I know, you would think go to school.
Just remember life isn’t a race to see who can get there the fastest although that is one of societies biggest lessons that is taught to kids in schools today. To be the best and finish first with the best time. I find that this actually makes some of us the worst kinds of people. It creates a culture full of people preoccupied with themselves and not concerned about the welfare of others. And it should be everyone’s goal to teach their kids that the true meaning of life, is becoming a spiritually self-fulfilled and a good person.
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I’m so glad to see this article! We plan to homeschool our 2-year-old and infant in the coming years so I have been doing a lot of research on the subject, but I am disappointed that there are few Pagan resources available. I would love to see more Pagan homeschooling families share their experiences on this site!
Glad you liked it Jacquelyn! We have lots of fun home-schooling. Although when you start there are always issues for either you or the child but after the first year you know what works.
This article speaks so many truths. Before, I always looked at homeschooling families with envy and never thought I would have the patience to do it myself. When we took the first steps, it was initially very difficult, but after about 6 months I began to really pay attention to how my daughter learns and what drives her. Homeschooling has turned out to be such an amazing asset to our family that I can’t imagine doing it any other way.
I totally agree with you Vedette! That’s what it is all about learning what your child needs to succeed and doing it.
I’m so glad to have read this article. I’ve always wanted to homeschool my kids. My son is almost 6, and in Kindergarten this year at the local elementary. As a single mom, I felt I didn’t have the ability to homeschool him this year, and he wanted to go to school. I also thought, that with some of his “challenges”, the structure of the school setting might help him. I’m not so sure about the success of that idea, and I am considering pulling him out. Even if I don’t, I am definitely homeschooling after this year is over, and, if I can help it, my daughter will never be subjected to public school.
Glad to hear your considering always remember the rules of your state. Most educators don’t know the law as well as we do. And if worst comes to worse there are so many options for your child.
Thank you so much for this article! We are homeschooling too. We use the Waldorf method and are trying to keep childhood alive as long as we can. I so enjoy being there to see those “ahh-haa” moments with my children. Although I certainly have the
h, you are so going to school tomorrow” moments, I truly can’t imagine not being my children’s teacher. I am so happy to see more homeschoolers in our community!
We love home-schooling also!
My two boys have never been to public school,although the threat of it is used when we are having a bad day!I find that where I live I am surrounded by families who homeschool for religious reasons.I am in a minority as I do not believe in indoctrinating my children,but in exposing them to many cultures and beliefs.We have been naturally led along the path of Paganism as part of our daily lives and following the rythmns of the seasons rather than the manufactured rythmns of consumerism.Unfortunately for us,this leaves us on our own frequently.The socialization aspect always amuses me.My boys are not shut up in a class with others the same age,but are out and about in the daily world.
I understand when you can’t find people of like minds. We’ve actually joined a christian co-op but I just tell my daughter that it’s what they believe and we don’t discuss religion while there. Yes they say prayers before our meetings but I just keep quiet and the kids really don’t speak about religion as it’s more secular christian group.If there is a christian group in your area email to find out if they are willing to let you join just so the kids can go out and have friends.
Hi Danielle,
We are so uninterested in being in a Chritian group.We’ve tried that one before.It has ALWAYS come down to them proselytizing.I realized awhile ago I was giving my boys mixed messages by sending them to groups that revolved around Christ.We have plenty of friends,it’s just the majority of homeschoolers here are homeschooling for religious reasons.We are a Scout family,and I do not agree with some of their principles either.I think when we are in the minority and it is constantly shoved down our throats I get irritated.I find here it seems to be a lack of tolerance for anyone who is not part of their churches.My boys are probably older than your daughter and my 13 year old in particular can not stand the kids trying to push their religion on him and he lets them know.I am proud of him for that.We don’t feel compelled to disrespect their beliefs and convince them we are right and they are wrong.We actually belong to a charter school but we find the great majority of families are ultra conservative.So this is where we feel a little isolated.
I enjoyed reading your blog. We have been homeschooling for 8 years now.
I am lucky to have a wonderful secular homeschool support group. All faiths are welcome.
I have been “homeschooling” my daughter since she was born. I love it. I have recently been struggling with the idea of sending her to public school. I don’t know what I’m going to do yet. It mostly comes down to childcare, as I have to work and my husband can’t watch our daughter all the time. It is a difficult decision. Any advise would be welcome.
The only advice I can give you is that my husband and I (pagandad) work opposite shifts. This is what works for us. I don’t know your schedule so it’s hard to say what will work best. Also depending on where you live if the school district has before or after school care that might be a help also. In Florida it’s called Place.
Adrienne – I have found myself faced with the same difficult decision because my husband has temporarily moved to Orlando to go to school, and my children & I are now staying with my parents here in SC. My parents are insistent that I work (I don’t have a problem with that, just have to find childcare) and they can’t help because they both work. Anyway, my options are to put the kids in school while I build my business or continue homeschooling (with the help of some friends) and build my business. My biggest piece of advise would be to network with other homeschoolers in the area and find someone you can work with, and set up your curriculum so that your children have something to work on while you’re at work. Let me know how it goes.
We pulled our three oldest children out of public school six years ago to homeschool for various reasons. Four years ago I started to un-school them and proudly say that our youngest has never been in public school. We now follow a natural learning approach and It has changed our world so much. I can’t belive I wasted so much of our time with the older children in public schools
Our oldest boy is now grown and very successfully on his own. He chose to work in the trades and is a 1st yr apprentice scaffolder working toward his journeymans. His foreman has said how nice it is to see a youngman with such a zest for learning and has remarked many times at how quickly and easily our son tackles problems and loves how he thinks outside the box.(Yes I am a proud Momma) I always say it is because he was taught to love learning, think for himself, explore everything and NOT to be a drone. I did find when we moved five years ago to our new community there was a major lack of Pagan socialization for the kids so last year I started a youth group for Pagan children it has done very well and the kids have made some really good friends. I am lucky to live in an area with more than just a few pagan types 
I do blog about our un-schooling/natural learning life when I get the time but we have a very very busy world. I have three children still at home and am enjoying every minute with them naturally learning everything we can.