Leah's Playroom

The playroom at our house is our basement. It was tiled when we bought it with pine paneling. We've since laid out carpet remnants from Menard's and painted half of it (the other half is on the to-do list). Here's a quick glance of the whole thing:

Here's a play table that my husband made for the boys. The top is made out of a big sheet of plywood that is covered with indoor/outdoor turf. It is held up by four Itso cubes from Target. Each cube has a different playset: farm, trains, cars, animals.

This is another piece of furniture from Target. I tried to sort out the toys in each bin. I labeled the space above the bin, for example "balls" and "cars".

Here is our train table that I bought from our local Salvation Army for $20! I was totally pumped when I talked them down to that price. It has drawers underneath to store extra track and trains.

Finally, here's some artwork I hung up. It is Samuel's verse "Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose hope is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by the waters, which yields much fruit." Jer. 17:7,8. This is an easy, cheap way to decorate the big, empty walls.

BIG Maclaren Stroller Recall

I follow a blog on my reader that is written by the authors of this book:



The book is a great resource rating different brands of baby items and really giving tips for getting the most for your money. The authors keep up to date info on the blog concerning recalls and problems with companies they recommend in their books. I've heard about many recalls through this blog! You can visit the Baby Bargains Book Blog here.



Yesterday, I read about a massive recall of Maclaren strollers. You can read Baby Bargain's post here. In short, ALL Maclaren strollers sold from 1999 to 2009 are being recalled after reports of 12 children having their fingers amputated by the side hinge! Wow. The company is going to provide owners with a cover for the hinge in order to protect little fingers.


You can visit Maclaren's website here to request a cover. At least it is an easy fix and you don't have to return your strollers. They do recommend you stop using the stroller until you cover the hinge just to be safe. I know Maclaren strollers are very popular and I'd bet a large percentage of our readers use one. (Believe it or not, I have never had one myself!)

More Schooling Options: All Three?

This post is written by Leah's friend Pauline. She and her husband Doug have two children. David is a sophomore and Paula is a middle schooler. Pauline is the leader of Leah's MOMs group and serves in AWANA with her whole family as the TNT leaders. Here are her responses to the (slightly tweaked) questions:

1. What kind of schooling did you start out with? Why?
We started with a Christian preschool because it was a safe, nurturing, familiar environment. We wanted to use the local public grammar school because we felt called to be a light for Christ in that environment. We pulled the kids out of public school when the academics were too watered down to justify the amount of time they were in school.
2. Why did you switch to ____? Then switch to ____?
Then we switched to a private school for one year, which was supposed to be academically advanced. It was not. Then we homeschooled for 2 years. It was fantastic! Then we moved to a public school system for high school with higher academic levels and more options for science labs and advanced math. So far we are pleased.
3. What was the best part of each?
The best part about Christian school is the curriculum has a Biblical worldview, so you don't have to fight the culture (like evolution, or reading books with profanity or violent topics.)
The best part about public schools is they have top notch teachers with advanced degrees, excellent teaching skills, and the latest technology (graphing calculators, smart boards, web sites)
The best part about private school is creativity in the curriculum, teachers who encourage individual interests of the students.
The best part about homeschooling is a flexible schedule, the ability to taylor the curriculum to your childs needs, close relationships with your own children, no homework on evenings and weekends, no unreasonable assignments.
4. What was the worst part of each?
The worst part about Christian school is the favoritism shown by some teachers, fewer resources for kids with learning issues (advanced or slow), discipline issues, attitudes.
The worst part about public schools is unruly kids can bring a teacher or class to their knees, teacher to student ratio is 1:25, curriculum in math is seriously at risk in the elementary grades, lots of wasted time during the day.
The worst part about private schools is the teachers are generally underpaid, young, and transient. There are often strong cliques of parents and kids who have the 'ear' of administration. There are often children of faculty who wouldn't qualify for the school, but attend because they're family.
The worst part about homeschooling is having to constantly answer the probing questions from family and friends about socialization for your kids and if you're completely off your rocker for homeschooling. It also takes a lot of research to ensure that you're covering everything in a standard curriculum and don't have holes.
5. How have the changes affected your children?
My children understand that there is more than one way to get an education in America. They can extract information from a text or reading book better than their peers. They are respectful to their teachers and other students. They engage others in conversations and gym games. They appreciate when teachers or administration give extra effort or concern. They are wary of social services asking, "how do you feel about that?" (that's what your parents are for!). They are more aware of world issues and serving others outside of school. I think they are better citizens and well rounded.
6. What advice would you give to a family with preschool-age children working through this decision right now?
We've always felt that we cannot control everything that goes on at school for our kids, but we can control which pond they swim in. We've made a number of 'pond' changes, and prayed constantly for God's guidance over school choices. We do not regret any decisions we've made. (You have to live life going forward, not looking back in regret.) Research the schools in your area that are viable options and make the best choice you can... don't make choices based on hearsay (go visiting while school is in session). If you try a school and it doesn't work out, have the courage to make a change (fortunately we still have these choices in America). We used homeschooling as a last resort. Everyone I've met who homeschools does it for a custom reason (the husband is a pastor and they want to flex the family schedule, a child with a hearing issue, a child with ADHD, a teen that got into a bad crowd in high school, a bad public school, no money for private school....) If you have no better choices, try homeschooling. It requires confidence, organization, and support from your spouse. I think our public schools have had both the best and worst academics... it's very dependent on each individual teacher and how he/she runs the class. Private schools tend to shoot for the middle.

With your preschool kids, read to them as much as possible, and listen to books on CD in the car. Turn off the TV and computer. Play outside twice daily, rain or snow. Cook with your children. Make shapes with playdough. Use proper words for things (like fractions, tools, utinsels, etc.) Have educational and building toys. Let your 4 or 5 year old play the piano or keyboard. Answer their questions. Memorize scripture together. (All of these things will help effect what 'pond' your child is placed into for school.)

When your children are school age, volunteer at school so you can observe your child in his/her school setting. Get your kids involved with a music program. The band and orchestra families are also consistently more concerned about academics. Most importantly, continue to parent your child, especially in their spiritual education. Don't abdicate this job to a 'character counts' program, Christian school or church, thinking they will train up your child. The attributes that make our kids valuable members of society come largely from who they are in Christ, and from the training in righteousness they get from home. Continue to encourage them during their school years, daily. They need the support from home to make it through the day and stand firm in their upbringing and faith.

More Schooling Options: Public School

This post is written by Jen, a frequent contributor to Prayer of Hannah. As a reminder, she and her husband Eric are the proud parents of four little ones, ages five and under: Liam, a kindergartner, Kate, Owen & Zane. Here are her responses to the questions:
***keep in mind Liam is only in Kindergarten and we are still figuring out what would be best. I am still pretty open to homeschooling and even Christian school down the road. We'll take it on a year by year, kid by kid basis.

1. What are the top three reasons you decided to send your kids to public school?

1) My husband and I both had good public school experiences and we have good public schools in our area. In fact, we moved to the district we are now in based on the public schools (especially because of the quality of the Special Ed program which our third son will benefit from). Basically, we don't have a problem with public schooling.

2) We don't want to pay tuition. We just could not afford that right now. (Now I qualify this with IF it were something we felt we wanted to do we WOULD find the money. One is able to put their money where their priorities lie and schooling would be no exception.) Right now, our plan is saving to help with college.

3) We want and welcome our children to come in contact with people who don't believe the same things we do so that we will have ample opportunity for real life application and discussion of what we believe and why.

It has happened already. My son Liam only started kindergarten this fall. He has come home and "tried out" a few words and phrases that he has heard at school. Nothing terrible yet, but just the same, some things and attitudes that do not honor God (name calling for example). My initial reaction was to be afraid of what he will be exposed to that is beyond my control. I began to think perhaps we should have sent him to a Christian school or homeschooled him to protect him from this kind of thing (ie. my sinful need for control). But then I quickly realized this was exactly why we chose public school... so that he would encounter the things of this world little by little, and we could have on going conversations about what we believe the Bible teaches about it. It doesn't mean he will master "how beliefs should guide behavior" in Kindergarten, but hopefully by the time he's eighteen he will understand how his words affect others and have figured out many things about where he stands on faith and how it relates to the world.

Side Note: The Special Education part of the equation - I say "Side Note" because even if this were not a concern for our family I think our decision would still be the same, but it does add another layer on it.

Our son, Owen, will be attending a Special Needs preschool starting in January at our local elementary school. We moved to this district for several specific reasons.

1) We wanted to take advantage of any services the school system offers.

2) the school system we were previously in was more "inner urban" than where we are now and had an overwhelming number of children to care for with special needs. We did not want him to slip through the cracks. We wanted to afford him every opportunity we could.

3) In our current school system, Owen will have better facilities and equipment. All the buildings are new. Many of the buildings in our old district were not originally built to be accessible. Ramps are great, but we want to minimize the things that will make it more difficult to participate and relate with his peers. This would also likely be an issue at the Christian schools we would choose. Churches are not required to be accessible because they are not "public" places. Many are, but they are not required to be. Believe me, this is something I never thought I'd have to concider!

Disclaimer: The public school system is required by law to offer services to EVERYONE in their district who qualifies, whether homeschooled or attending a private school. We have found this does not come without it's inconveniences and trade-offs however. We felt going the public school route offered us the most "normal" route and routine for Owen. (I have a lot I could say on this topic.)


2. Why didn't you send your kids to Christian school? Why didn't you homeschool?

1) We felt our kids would get a fine education at a public school. I don't think I would like "putting on the teacher hat" everyday with my kids. I know I could do it and would in a heartbeat if it became clear that was the best thing for our family. Homeschooling is still not completely off the table at our house there are many many things that appeal to me about it, but right now we feel public school is working well for our family.

Many of the things I would value about homeschooling (teaching biblical perspective on ever subject for example) are things we plan on doing in conjunction with what they are learning at school anyway. Perhaps it will become a bigger issue later, but right now in kindergarten that has not been too difficult. Also, for our particular children (especially our oldest) we think he needs that exposure to a larger group setting and the experience of learning from other adults—to get out of his comfort zone.

2) We are very active in our church and almost all of our close family friends are believers. We had concerns about "sheltering" them too much. It can be a struggle against apathy in your faith when everyone around you everyday believes the same thing you believe—a Christian "bubble." It can be easy to "just go through the motions" and not have to figure out what YOU believe and WHY you believe what you believe. That is something we pray our children would get a good grip on BEFORE they leave the house. Not that that can't happen at a Christian school, but we feel public school will offer our kids lots of opportunities along the way to flesh those beliefs out. We feel they will have a very strong support system from family, friends and church that share our Christian values, so it's not like we're sending them off to battle unarmed. Our hope is the distinction between the two ways of life will be very evident and practical to them. One thing we pray is that they will have a real heart for the lost. We will play an active role in shaping their world view, but we think they also need to see the world and practice how they see it.


3. What is the best part about public school?

• it is two blocks from our house. we can walk. Love that!
• great teachers and principal and staff. Many Christians.
• opportunities to meet my neighbors and other parents. Gets me "in the world". Great witnessing opportunities (I actively see it this way.)
• I get to help in his classroom a few times a month. I love this because I get to know the teacher, see how my son is interacting with others, get to know the other children and get ideas as to how I can carry over what he is learning there at home.
• great facilities. brand new school actually. (fully accessible!)
• strong art, music and sports programs available for them to feel out their interests and explore them.
• Owen will have the best of both worlds—full accessibility and adaptability in the normal classroom and easy access to special helps.


4. What is the worst part?

• Missing him while he's at school
• giving up my "complete control" over what he sees, hears, learns, etc. (like I had that anyway). Not focusing on the "what ifs". Choosing to entrust my child to the Lord's protection on a daily basis. This is also a BEST PART I suppose.


5. What is the biggest benefit to your child by public school?

• Like I said before, getting outside our "Christian bubble" and learning step by step how to navigate life in this world with faith.
• for Owen - excellent facilities, teachers and resources.


6. What is the biggest deficit?

• Getting lost in the crowd. It is a big school system. My husband and I went to a small school. We knew everybody. Had close relationships with teachers. We were able to participate and even excel in our areas of interest because there were not 200 other people better at it than we were filling that place. (does that make sense? like in sports or music.)


7. What advice would you give to a family with preschool-age children working through this decision right now?

• don't feel pressured. I felt tremendous pressure (whether perceived or forthright) to send my children to a Christian school or to homeschool. Almost like I would not be a good Christian parents if we didn't. Or like sending them to public school was a foolish or selfish thing to do. As if the greater the personal sacrifice you make for your child's schooling indicates the level of thought you've put into it or the amount of love you have for your child. Basically, do what is right for your family.

• secondly, hold your plans with an open hand. It is wise for us to prayerfully consider what we believe would be best for our families and honoring to God, but as Proverbs 16:9 says, "In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps." Be open to God changing your plans.

More Schooling Options: Homeschooling

This post is written by Leah's friend Alice. She has been married for 18 years to Eric. They have three children: Caroline, 11th grade; Mary, 7th grade, and Bobby, 5th grade. She has been homeschooling since 2002. Here are her responses to the questions:
1. What are the top three reasons you decided to homeschool? A)God convicted our hearts about our children and their schooling being our responsibility and nobody else’s, based on God’s Word. B)We became concerned about things our then-3rd-grade daughter was learning in school, both from teachers and from other children. C)We read everything we could get our hands on about home schooling and were convinced we could give our children a better education at home.

2. Why didn't you send your kids to Christian school? To public school?
At the time we made the decision to home school we almost decided to put them in a Christian school. I had eight years of teaching experience and thought that maybe I would get a job teaching at a Christian school and have the kids go there. But our youngest was only 3 years old at the time, and that would have meant putting him in day care. That was something we just weren’t willing to do, having been convicted strongly by God to have me be a stay-at-home mom. Also, the more we read about home schooling, and based on our own experiences in Christian school (both my husband and I graduated from Christian schools,) the more we realized that even Christian school was not what we wanted for our children.

3. What is the best part about homeschooling?
It’s so hard to chose one best thing! I love spending time with my children. I love seeing the lightbulb go off in their heads as they learn new things. I love knowing that they aren’t being indoctrinated with false ideology and values. I love being able to include God’s Word as part of their lessons, inculcating Biblical values throughout their curriculum.

4. What is the worst part?
For me, it’s the sheer amount of work and effort it requires: organization, scheduling, lesson planning, grading, etc. I’m a terrible procrastinator, but God has used home schooling to make me realize that I cannot put off the preparation for each week or else things don’t go well. For the kids, it’s probably more to do with how other people treat them when they find out they’re home schooled---as though they are freaks or inferior somehow.

5. What is the biggest benefit to your child by homeschooling?
My kids can learn a lot more in a shorter amount of time, since I don’t have to teach to the lowest common denominator as I used to have to in a public school class. Once they grasp a concept they can move on to a newer or harder one, not having to sit around and wait for everyone to get it. This frees them up to pursue extra-curricular interests (music, art, etc.) or just have more time to play outside or read. Also—no homework in the evenings!

6. What is the biggest deficit?
One potential deficit for home schoolers has to do with always having Mom or Dad be the teacher. This can lead to frustration with other adults (Sunday school teacher/youth worker/etc.) who are in authority if they are not as accommodating or compassionate as Mom or Dad. This is our second year as part of a home school co-operative, and I think one of the best outcomes of our participation has been that my children have had to learn to deal with various teaching styles and authority over them.

7. What advice would you give to a family with preschool-age children working through this decision right now?
Pray, pray, pray. Ask God to show you what He wants you to do as far as your children’s education. Read God’s Word---what does it say? Can your children go to public school and still learn God’s Word while they are standing, sitting, walking by the way? THEN: talk to home schoolers; read up on the labor unions that control public education (like the NEA) and what their beliefs are; read Chris Klicka’s Homeschooling: The Right Choice and R.C. Sproul, Jr.’s When You Rise Up: A Covenantal Approach to Homeschooling, read John Holt and Charlotte Mason. You may not agree with all of these people’s ideology, but they ask a lot of very good questions. Do you want your child “schooled” by the government or do you want them to really learn?
People need to realize that we are teaching our own children from the moment they are born. We teach them either directly or by example how to eat, talk, walk, dress, behave and everything else. So why do we assume that when they turn five we cannot teach them anymore? Think about what your worldview is, and then consider whether or not you want your child to share it. Where should they learn?

More Schooling Options: Public School

This post was written by Leah's friend Pam. She is married to Sam and they have four children (so far!). She has a son in high school, a daughter in middle school, a daughter in elementary school, and an almost 1 year old at home. She often describes herself as less of a Stay at Home Mom and more of a Stay in the Van Mom. Here are her responses to the questions:
1. What are the top three reasons you decided to send your kids to public school? Hmmm, I think that sending your kids to public school is still pretty much the norm and, as such, the choice I came to given that I didn't feel strongly about pursuing either a Christian school education or homeschooling for my children.


2. Why didn't you send your kids to Christian school? Why didn't you homeschool? I think I was also strongly influenced by the fact that I'd grown up in a Christian home, but had never been homeschooled or attended a Christian school, so I knew it was a viable option. There were also concerns about the cost of a private Christian school. As far as homeschooling goes, I'm a strong supporter of those who choose that path, but I don't feel it's for me. I don't know that I had the patience or organizational skills for it and I believe it's an option that has to work for the whole family. I think to decide to homeschool one typically has to feel strongly that homeschooling is what you want to do or anti-tradtional schooling and I don't fit into either category.


3. What is the best part about public school? and 5. What is the biggest benefit to your child by public school? I love the fact that our school district is incredibly diverse. Our kids have friends from multiple cultural backgrounds and friends who are Evangelicals, Catholics, Jewish, and Muslim.


4. What is the worst part? and 6. What is the biggest deficit? Public schools can (and do) encourage values, morality, etc., but without the foundation for those beliefs. Also, encountering kids who's values are radically different than ours can be a challenge. Educationally, there would certainly be benefits to the personal attention that homeschooling affords, but personally I feel that I'd also be wondering if I were missing things that I should be teaching them.


7. What advice would you give to a family with preschool-age children working through this decision right now? I LOVE that we live in a time and state where there are so many options for educating our children. Although we've chosen public schooling for our kids I love that I have the option of going with a Christian school or homeschooling if our family's needs change or we detect a significant problem with where we're at. So I guess my advice would be to remember that it is a blessing that we have this choice and that the choice is something that really has to work for the entire family.

Wordless Wednesday

More Schooling Options: Christian School

This post was written by Leah's friend Tonya. She has been married to her husband, Tom, for a long time (again, I don't know how many years!). They have three children - Andy, who is in college, Jenna, who is in the 10th grade, and Bradley, a 2nd grader. Her family loves to visit Disney World and spend time at the lake. Here are her responses to the questions:
1. What are the top three reasons you decided to send your kids to Christian school? A) The low teacher to student ratios. B) It will reinforce our Christian values. C) There are fewer distractions, like dress code, speech, & no display of affection between boys & girls.
2. Why didn't you send your kids to public school? Why didn't you homeschool? A) Besides the above, something I remember is that it seems in public schools that they try to be overly politically correct, like avoiding words such as Christmas by saying 'holiday' or Easter and saying 'Spring'. B) I don't feel qualified to homeschool my children and it would be a lot of work to keep them interested at home.
3. What is the best part about Christian school?The atmosphere and knowing that the other families have similar values.
4. What is the worst part? The tuition and not having as many extra-curricular activies.
5. What is the biggest benefit to your child by Christian school? The reinforcement of Christian values and higher learning potential as they usually test out higher than public schools.
6. What is the biggest deficit? Probably sports.
7. What advice would you give to a family with preschool-age children working through this decision right now? I would say to pray over your decision. It is worth sacrificing for and a decision you will probably never regret.

More Schooling Options: Homeschooling

This post is written by Leah's friend Margaret. She is a stay at home mom to two children, Jeremy and Miranda. She has been married to her husband Alan for a long time (ha,ha - Leah is writing this bio and I don't know how many years they've been married!). Alan is an adjunt professor at Southeastern Seminary. Margaret is a servant-minded friend with a great sense of humor. Her family just returned from a weeklong visit to Disney World with their best friends. Here are her responses to the questions:
1. What are the top three reasons you decided to homeschool?
For years we said we would never homeschool our kids. Homeschooling was not something that we felt was right for us. My best friend in GA homeschooled but our son loved school and I was very involved in his school.(Helping in the classroom 2-3 times a month, volunteered in the school library weekly). I really loved the school and the teachers in GA. When our son was in the 3rd grade we moved to NC. He really had a hard time adjusting to the school here. After being called to the school to pick up my 3rd grader several times because he had migraine headaches with no medical reasons, meetings with teachers and the school counselor, advice from homeschooling parents, and a lot of prayer, after 8 weeks of school in NC, we kept him home after Christmas break(no migraines and none since). Our daughter was in kindergarten but she didn't go back to public school either.
2. Why didn't you send your kids to public school? To Christian school?
We did send both kids to public school. I believe that if we had stayed in GA they would both probably still be in public school. In the community that we lived in the parents were very involved in the schools and both my kids had Christian teachers. Christian school was not an option because we could not afford the tuition.
3. What is the best part about homeschooling?
I love being actively involved in my kids daily lives. If you had asked me before we started homeschooling I would have told you I was involved in my kids lives but nothing like now.
4. What is the worst part?
Honestly, being with my kids all the time. I know that they get tired of me always being there. We do try to have some time for all of us to do different things without mother/brother/sister being there.
5. What is the biggest benefit to your child by homeschooling?
I have some self esteem problems and I really want my kids to know that no matter what they do I will always love them and more importantly that their heavenly father will always love them and be there for them. I hope that I can teach my kids that they will never be perfect because we do sin but that even more than me God will always love them.
It has also helped me to grow and become more confident in what God has asked me to do at this time in my life.
6. What is the biggest deficit?
I used to always worry that I was making my kids "stupid." A good friend told me to stop worrying because my kids were going to learn in spite of me. My son is in high school now and he does take several "outside" classes now. If there is something you are not comfortable teaching there are other options besides teaching them yourself (trading off subjects with other moms, enrichment classes, co-ops, online classes to name some).
Also, please make sure your kids are around other kids their age. Socialization should not be a problem for homeschoolers. You as a parent have to give your child opportunities to be around other children( homeschooled and non-homeschooled).
7. What advice would you give to a family with preschool-age children working through this decision right now?
Do not let anyone else make this decision for you. You are not a horrible parent or christian if you decide not to homeschool. Only homeschool if you feel this is what God is asking you to do. Remember, you are not following God's will for you if you allow others to pressure you into homeschooling. Please know that homeschooling is hard but if it is what God wants for you, He will help you through all the struggles.

More Schooling Options: Public School

This post is written by Tara, a regular POH reader. She is a work from home accountant and has been married to her husband Asah for 7 years. He is the pastor of Crossroads Church in Hammond, LA. They have 2 sons, Jordan (3 1/2) and Jaxon (14 months). Jordan was diagnosed with classic Autism in July. It was then that they began researching schooling options and any services available. She wants to share her responses in hopes that anyone else going this route can enlighten her if they're a bit further down the road. Their oldest is only 3 1/2, but they have already begun their Public School Journey. At age 3, children with a disability are allowed to begin receiving services via the School District and an Evaluation/IEP is established at that age. Here are her responses to the questions:
1. What are the top three reasons you decided to send your kids to public school?
-Services offered
-Socialization, routine
-Cost
2. Why didn't you send your kids to Christian school? Why didn't you homeschool?
-No Christian/private school because they do not have the specialized services available, if we found one that did we'd send him there if the cost were reasonable. No homeschool because I dont feel equipped to teach Jordan the way he needs to be taught. (i.e. While I know my child best, I'm not experienced enough in the techniques in teaching Autistic children nor would I have the time that it takes with my other son in the mix)
3. What is the best part about public school?
Not there quite yet; although we recently received our full evaluation and will begin receiving in-home services from the School district within the month. So, I'd say the free Speech, OT, and Special Instruction that we are about to receive!
4. What is the worst part? Red tape!
5. What is the biggest benefit to your child by public school? Services provided.
6. What is the biggest deficit? I'm not able to filter a lot of what will go on. But I will be an active and involved parent! Communication is key.
7. What advice would you give to a family with preschool-age children working through this decision right now? I would definitely recommend the services available to pre-school aged children, even if the parents are not considering Public School. Early intervention is key.

If there are any other readers out there navigating schooling options with a child with a disability or special need, we'd love to hear from you! Please respond here or contact me at leahpayne@hotmail.com. Thanks!

More Schooling Options: Christian School

This post is written by Leah's friend Tara. Tara has been married to her best friend Matt for 15 years now. She lives in Fort Wayne and attend a great church, Wallen Baptist. She is a stay at home mom to two great boys! Truman is 11 and in the 6th grade and Carter is 9 and in 4th grade. They attend a great school called Lakewood Park Christian School in Auburn, Indiana. She loves watching her boys play soccer, scrapbooking, photography (nothing fancy) and Bible studies. She has just completed a study of the book of Ecclesiastes, A life well lived by Tommy Nelson, and would have to say it has changed her outlook on life. Here are her responses to the seven questions:
1. What are the top three reasons you decided to send your kids to Christian school? 1)Because we wanted to have the boys in an environment that came along side us and taught the same biblical principles and values that are taught at home and at church. 2)We wanted them to be firm in their beliefs and be in the word daily (not just with us, but to know that others do it too!) 3) We wanted them to be able to feel that God is an important part of everyday...not just Sundays and Wednesdays.
2. Why didn't you send your kids to public school? We looked into the public school that Truman was to attend and was not happy with the curriculum choices (he was already reading at 4 and when I asked what would they do to challenge him the response was he would simply learn what everyone else did and just help the other kids...like a peer tutor). We also felt that the boys didn't have the firm foundation in their faith and we wanted to help them build that faith. Why didn't you homeschool? I like to keep the role of mother as just that...mother and not have to put on the teacher hat every day with them. I know that as a mother I am also a teacher of many things, but I don't want to put on the "social studies" hat everyday. I also want them to interact with lots of other kids as well as teachers and have the experince to learn from others (not just their parents)
3. What is the best part about Christian school? We like the fact that prayer is part of the boys daily routine at school as well as home. They also do devos/bible study daily at school. The smallness of the school (they both have about 50 kids in their class) was very attractive to us as well...not making them feel like they couldn't get to know people well because there were just too many kids.
4. What is the worst part? Tuition...not letting the financial burden discourage us. Also realizing that just because they are a Christian school, they are not perfect...every school has issues, the nice thing we like is that the decisions that they are making are prayerful decisions.
5. What is the biggest benefit to your child by Christian school? Having a good core of friends who surround you and encourage you in your christian walk.
6. What is the biggest deficit? I sometimes wonder if I am sheltering them from "the outside world". We want them to be grounded in their faith, but we also want them to be interacting with those who are unsaved and making a difference for Christ. Tough to do at school... so we have to make more of an effort to get them involved in sports and activities that are not through the church or school so that they can make an impact on non-believers but I don't want them to live life making no impact on others for Christ.
7. What advice would you give to a family with preschool-age children working through this decision right now? Pray for wisdom and discernment. Check out the schools and ask specific questions...make an informed decision! Ask to sit in during a class time to see how the classroom works. Ask other families what they think of that particular school. Make a list of what is important for your child's education and see if that school is a good fit based on what you are looking for. Keep in mind that education is a partnership between you and them to help your child learn and grow. Make sure that you are comfortable with the school. After all, they will have your kid for 8 hours a day making an impact (good or bad) on them. Did I mention to pray, pray and pray for God's wisdom and discernment?

More Schooling Options: Intro

Hello Prayer of Hannah readers! This is Leah chiming in - finally - after a bit of a hiatus. I have been tucked away in the hospital for 11 days after abdominal surgery, but am now recovering nicely at home.

I am excited to introduce this week's topic: More Schooling Options. The "more" is because we covered this topic back in May. You can read those posts here. After talking about it between the authors, we decided to approach the topic again from a different angle. We came up with a list of seven questions and sent them to a number of moms who either homeschool, send their kids to public school or to Christian school. We thought the set list of questions would give a better comparison between the various options. Here are the seven questions we asked:

1. What are the top three reasons you decided to send your kids to public school?
2. Why didn't you send your kids to Christian school? Why didn't you homeschool?
3. What is the best part about public school?
4. What is the worst part?
5. What is the biggest benefit to your child by public school?
6. What is the biggest deficit?
7. What advice would you give to a family with preschool-age children working through this decision right now?

If you would like to share your answers to these questions, please feel free to copy and paste them into an e-mail to me at leahpayne@hotmail.com with your responses as well as a brief description of your family. I'd love to post more responses on POH this week if there are other moms who would like to share.

I hope you all enjoy this week. I'm really looking forward to it!