We live in the United States of America ~ Land of the Free and Home of the Brave. We are a nation born from hard work and sacrifice, a nation founded on Biblical principles, and a nation valuing freedom. While we have seen some of these things slowly slip away over the years as our nation has moved away from many of the ideals of the first settlers and our Founding Fathers, we still enjoy a great number of freedoms that citizens/residents of other countries do not enjoy.
There was a time, not so long ago, when homeschooling was the norm. Parents didn’t send their kids off to be educated by others. Kids worked hard in the family business, and parents couldn’t afford to have them go off for the day and learn. Instead, the kids would learn at home. Time went by and suddenly, homeschooling was seen as odd as public education had become mainstream.
In a time where public school was the norm, homeschooling almost became taboo. Some states strove to make homeschooling all but illegal. Parents were having to fight to be able to make educational decisions for their own children. Where were our freedoms going? Thankfully, new homeschooling pioneers fought back against this oppression and paved the way for homeschoolers today.
Most families can homeschool here in the United States without having to worry about being sent to jail. (I say most because there are still homeschooling families who are persecuted here, but thankfully, that is not the norm.) Unlike other countries, parents can decide what is best for their own children instead of the government.
Our lifestyle of learning has afforded us many opportunities to learn outside of the box. We’ve been able to go places and experience life instead of just reading about things in a book. I can tailor Munchkin’s learning experience to one that will allow her to gain maximum understanding of a subject. While that may not always happen, the freedom to do so is always there.
I am grateful to live in a country where parents are free to decide how they want to educate their children. I am also grateful for those homeschooling pioneers who fought for parent’s rights. May we never forget the freedoms that we enjoy as not all parents are afforded these same freedoms in other countries.
This post is part of the Gratitude Challenge, Gratituesday, and a Month of Thanksgiving.
What a wonderful post. Thank you – you have expressed many of my own sentiments.
Catherine recently posted..Gratitude Challenge – Day Two
Thanks for visiting my blog and for your kind words. I am following
yours too.
God bless,
Pat recently posted..2010 Gratitude Challenge-Day 2
I agree. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on voting and homeschooling today. I must confess, I am a little upset that you commented on my blog that you haven’t received your own ballots yet. If you are state-side, can you vote in person anyway?
Michelle Smith recently posted..2010 Gratitude Challenge
Wonderful post. I love the freedom we have to home school as well.
Very powerful post! Thank you, I am in awe of all that you do! 🙂
Me too. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by Green Acres to comment today!
Jodi recently posted..2010 Gratitude Challenge Day 2
Great post. I’m totally thankful for homeschooling too and being able to live in a state where homeschooling laws are nil.
It is definitely a blessing and privilege to be able to homeschool.
Sherry recently posted..Making My Home A Haven Week 4 – Cooking Up- Being Content- and Giving
What a powerful post.
Chrissy recently posted..To Let Go or Confront
The old saying, “You don’t realize what you have until (you start to) loose it.” Is so true!
This is a wonderful post, voicing what so many of us feel.
Thanks for following me. I am now following you. Hope to get to know you better. My dh is (was…but you know what they say, “once a M, always a M”)a Marine. They are definitely a breed of their own!!;)
Blessings,
Cheryl