Challenges of Homeschooling In Our Homeland, the Philippines

It has been a week since we arrived in the Philippines. I haven't been able to blog much (or go online much for that matter) as we've been staying at my in-laws' place since we've arrived and have only been using Smart Bro prepaid for our internet connection. It is kind of slow (ironically, our broadband connection in Dili was much better!) and so I found it kind of a hassle to blog. Also, I don't know why but it seems that when we're at my in-laws' place, I tend to crash earlier (usually when we put the kids to sleep) and sleep on until morning. (Usually when I fall asleep earlier in the evening, I wake up in the wee small hours of the morning, and then do some work or blog or FB). Perhaps it's the adjustment to life in Manila. Ironically here we do a lot of commuting (we had not just one but TWO mission vehicles in Timor!) and maybe that's why I am more tired at the end of the day. Especially since we bring the two kiddies along with us most everywhere we go. Well, I hope my body adjusts soon.

Speaking of adjusting, sleep routines and commuting and lack of internet time aren't the only things our family and I have been adapting to. I have been very vocal about our desire to homeschool our children, particularly Tim, our eldest who is turning 4 in October. this is partly why this blog was born actually. However, after only one week in the Philippines, this desire, no, CONVICTION, has already met with a lot of questions and semi-negative comments from people (who probably mean well but may not be totally informed about what homeschooling entails and results in). These include members of our own families and community and friends who of course are mostly concerned with the children's socialization / forming friendships with other kids. Personally, I don't blame these people for being concerned, but do feel a bit put off when they insist that regular schooling is THE only way to go. I for one firmly believe that each family and each child is unique, and homeschooling may be the call for some families (like ours) and regular schooling for others.

One of the things that homeschooling detractors don't realize is that homeschooled kids have so many options and opportunites for socialization. Even here in the Philippines! One of the homeschooling mom's blogs I've read actually describe her kid's "after-school" activities with Kids Ahoy, which is something that hubby and I plan to explore with Tim, if God-willing, we can afford it! The good thing is, Tim is eligible for CFA's homeschooling program only when he turns 4 and a half, which leaves us about 10 months to prepare financially, emotionally, logistically, and of course, spiritually for homeschooling.

Since we are at present fulltime lay missionaries (or in our community's terms, fulltime pastoral workers or FTPWs) dependent on monthly missionary allowances (or salaries in other words), we are currently exploring alternative means of earning extra income to meet the needs of our growing family. Needless to say we believe that God will provide, and this He does every day without fail! Indeed we are truly rich and blessed! I know that God will also provide for Tim's and Rysse's education, in His own time and way. Blessed be His name!

I also know that there will be more challenges, questions, detractors, negative comments ahead of us as we continue to explore, discern, re-discern and decide on how far we will go on this homeschooling journey. But I am not discouraged. I WILL NOT BE. Because I know that God is with us. And I also know that negative comments, questions, doubts and challenges to homeschooling usually come about due to a lack of deeper knowledge, understanding and acceptance of homeschooling. And so today I say, bring it on! Whatever happens, God will lead us and empower us, in ALL aspects of our lives! Yehey! May God be praised!

One Proud TeacherMama!

We are now in Singapore (SG) staying with "family", i.e. friends who are part of our Catholic community. It's our first day here and we are really grateful for all God is blessing us with. One of which was this: our preschooler Tim actually let us go to a dinner meeting earlier today without him! IN FACT, he is the one who INSISTED that we leave him behind, with his "Kuya" (Big Brother in Tagalog) Elai, the teenage son of our host family. WE WERE TRULY SHOCKED!

They were swimming at the time we left them. I had all sorts of fears, doubts and worries about leaving Tim behind. But I need not have done so. Kuya Elai did an excellent job, even without adult supervision! (His parents, Dick and Elaine, deserve a BIG CONGRATULATIONS too on a job well done in raising a responsible, good-mannered, caring, God-fearing young man!) It was a BIG event for hubby and I, as all this time, we've been so used to Tim insisting that he go everywhere we went, even for prayer meetings and mission trips to far-flung places. He just let us go without any tears or tantrums. In fact, he didn't even want to come near me when I called him out of the pool to give him my reminders about behaving well and listening to his Kuya Elai. Aaaawww... my little boy is growing up SO FAST! Huhuhuhu. Needless to say, I AM ONE PROUD TEACHERMAMA! Though I fall short of being a good mom countless times, God always finds a way to assure hubby and I that as long as we do our best, He will do the rest! :)