In 2014, a couple in Germany pulled their 7 children out of the public school system in order to homeschool them. The result? Over $9,000 in fines and a an imminent jail sentence. School attendance is required by law for all children in Germany, and anybody pulling kids out of the school system will have to deal with the legal consequences.
Who would have thought that I, a proud product of the German school system, would ever end up at a Homeschool Conference?
Well, I did last weekend!
Going to my first Homeschool Conference was both exhausting and beneficial… Lots of good workshops and a huge room full of vendor booths. I restrained from buying any materials (I was very proud of myself) but am very thankful that I was able to make some decisions in regards to what I would like to use with my boys when it’s time. Anyone who’s homeschooled and had to make curriculum decisions can understand what huge milestone it is to just decide on what materials to use!
Some background info: Last semester, I had the privilege of being trained as a Education Consultant for missionaries. With that training (and my teaching degree), I could be a resource and help to other parents overseas who have questions about the education of their children. Coming from such a homeschool-hostile background, it took a while for me to see the benefits, beauty, and sheer possibility of educating your children at home. Now, I could (and did) spend hours looking over the hundreds of curriculum options and am hoping that I will be able to educate my boys at home one day!
By the way, the German family now lives in the U.S., where they continue to homeschool their children.
You’re going to be a great homeschooling Mama! It’s crazy to think of not having the option of homeschooling… it’s definitely not a small feat to take on, but some of the smartest kids I know were homeschooled k-12.