Protecting the Frontiers of Home Education
By Patti Sailor
Having been involved in the homeschooling movement since 1989, we have seen and participated in a number of battles and challenges in the fight for preserving our rights and responsibility to train and educate our children at home. The years have come and gone, each one bringing its own challenges, victories, and defeats in the home education effort. Some of these homeschool battles have been fought in the public square, some in the halls of our state and federal capitals, and even a few skirmishes have occurred right at the kitchen table that serves as the classroom for our five children. In each of these “battles” there are always two common denominators—two or more people having a difference of opinion!
No one likes to do battle or “go to war”… but “battle” is often the necessary vehicle used to preserve peace and freedom. However, my philosophy is that “combat or battles” should be avoided as much as possible … using dialog and conversation whenever possible as the first response to “keeping the peace,” and sprinkling a little diplomacy throughout the negotiations is always helpful, too!
This has proven true in our home, as over the years “battles are quickly squelched” when mediator or diplomat dad or mother approach the front lines and call a truce and demand that discussion and arbitration must take place! Our children stop and listen, because they are confident that we, as their parents, do care and feel a responsibility for their best interest. Why do our children feel this way? Because we have consistently taught and proven our love and concern for them over the years. Children learn early on to respect their parents and have confidence in them as their parents continually prove their love, care, and concern for them. From the humbling job of wiping little bottoms, runny noses, and feverish brows, to giving up that afternoon out with a friend to help review those spelling words and go over that challenging algebra problem—each of these instances involve a sacrifice of time on the parent’s part. But each act of love and care helps to build and reinforce the foundation for a positive relationship. This philosophy is consistent with the Scripture principles of sacrifice. Truly there has been no greater demonstration of love or sacrifice in a relationship than that of the Lord Jesus. He made the greatest sacrifice of all when He set aside heaven itself to come to this sin-cursed world, ministering to the needs of many and eventually giving His very life, that we might e redeemed and blessed with life everlasting in the beauties of Heaven with Him! “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down His life for His friends”. John 15:13
I share these thoughts, which some might find as a “huge front porch for a very little house,” to encourage families that, as parents, they are trained and equipped to have an influence beyond the walls of their own homeschool. They already know how positive relationships are built, because they have built them in their homes! But as Christians, we have a responsibility beyond our own homes. We must continue to be gatekeepers in our communities if we desire to maintain freedom and liberty for our children, for their future.
In a day when every moral fiber of society is being attacked, Christian homeschool parents and their families need to be building bridges, not barriers, with the leadership of their communities and government– so that the front lines of Christian liberties, which includes the right to homeschool, and Judeo Christian values are not only securely guarded, but “diplomats” are recognized should an “assault from enemy lines come our way.” As mentioned, relationships like bridges are built over time, not overnight. We all bear a responsibility to help preserve the freedoms we have won. The positive relationships built by Christian organizations like HSLDA, INCH, CTV, and just as importantly, individual homeschoolers, is really the bridge that has deterred the enemy—who desires to deprive us of our rights and freedom to train our children at home from a biblical world view.
Families need to make time in their busy schedule to allow for opportunities to be involved in the community and with their elected officials—this involvement will solidify the positive benefits of home schooling. Nothing more quickly dispels lies and prejudice than personal experience with the truth. We must continually be about the work of building relationships with our state and federally elected officials. If they are provided with opportunities to meet with homeschoolers in their district, and to meet and interact with homeschooling children and see what they are learning, they will not be quick to believe there is a widespread problem in the homeschool community every time a liberal legislator or lobbyist reports of “truancy” or “abuse” from a so-called homeschooling family, or the media runs a skewed report of child abuse inferring that it is homeschool related.
As we interact with these officials and leaders, we become an influence and conduit for getting the message out that “homeschooling works”. We move beyond being their constituent, to becoming a friend or acquaintance. When we call or write, they recognize us—not as a stranger or screaming constituent, but as a concerned citizen—or hopefully a friend. If everyone makes an effort, it requires little individual sacrifice, but the blessings are shared with the masses! If everyone gets involved, we can build bridges and tear down the barriers of misunderstanding and lack of respect that often is the cause for assaults on our freedoms and values. We do not want to go back to battle in the courtroom and halls of Congress fighting for our right to home educate our children. That war was already fought—and the Lord gave victory. However, we cannot afford to be like the children of Israel who forgot what their forefathers gave—their forgetfulness and lack of appreciation brought them back into bondage and they lost their freedom and tremendous blessing form the Lord.
With an election year upon us, we face the concern that we may lose a President and perhaps even our District Congressman, who are both God-fearing, pro-life, and very supportive of home education. I pray that does not happen, but God does ordain the powers that be, and should the plan be for a change of leadership, Christians have the responsibility to keep the front-lines secure. A new “school year” is upon us. As you do your planning, please consider implementing some of the ideas listed below in your lesson plans this year, so that your family can build a bridge and share the responsibility of maintaining the freedom and liberty we enjoy in teaching and training our children at home.
Make certain you can identify for your children who their legislators are (local, state, and federal), and pray regularly for them, from the police chief up through the President.
Pray for the elections– that God would place men and women in office who have proven themselves to be wise, understanding and with a reverence and fear for the Word of God. (Deut. 1:13). Know the candidates, and the issues, so you can make wise decisions at the voting booth.
Build a bridge with a leader from your community. Try to chose one who may not be “like-minded” or as conservative as you. Here’s a sample bridge building kit you can work with:
a. Regular, friendly correspondence—Begin with a note introducing yourself (family) and letting the public official know you are praying for them. Ask them if they have any specific prayer requests they would like to share with you. Follow up with further correspondence, such as: find out their birthday and send them a card. They love pictures, too, as it helps them identify with the writer! “Thinking of you” cards, Thanksgiving cards, Christmas cards, and a special note on Memorial Day or Independence Day are all positive opportunities to make inroads. This type of correspondence should be non-threatening—never include expressions of concern or disagreement about how an issue was handled, etc. Save that for a separate and specific writing. This is a great opportunity for your kids. They can write the note, or draw a picture (could focus around the theme—Thanksgiving, Christmas, birthday, etc.).
b. Meet your Legislator(s). Plan a family trip to the Capitol, or attend one of the legislator’s town-hall meetings—take them a basket of cookies or home-made baked goods—give it to them when you introduce yourself. This could be done as a family or small group activity.
c. Thank you notes when you read or hear of something “good” the leader stood for– a quick note or e-mail, thank them for taking a stand, and express why it’s important to you.
d. Election Time—Get involved in a campaign: help with a literature drop, phone bank, or march in a parade. Families with small children might find it easier to just stop by and say “hello” and drop off a plate of cookies or cold soft-drinks to be shared with the volunteer workers.
e. Invite them to your home for dinner or to a homeschool program or project your children are involved in. (Graduation, Presentation Night, Ballgames, Drama/Choir Performances, etc.).
f. Host an event where the legislator or leader can meet and be involved with other homeschool families in their community—Living History Themes are great for this—kids have fun dressing up in time-period costumes, doing period-related activities, etc. Invite the “leader” to read a story or share in a craft with the kids!
Stay informed—Education law is primarily a state issue. New bills are continually being introduced which, though they may not mention home schooling, could impact homeschool liberties. As the state legislator changes each election year, make certain you know who the key people are (chairs and co-chairs) serving on the Education and Family Services Committees — legislation that affects or threatens homeschool and family values often come through these two committees. By familiarizing yourself with these folks, you have established a contact, should threatening legislative issues arise.
Be a conduit—when HSLDA or INCH send out a legislative alert, pray about it, and get involved. Send a note or make a call expressing your concern. Always be polite, and thank the person you spoke with for making the time to listen—even if they don’t agree with you. This is so important, and sometimes difficult as the other party may not be so kind—but Scripture entreats us to “be wise as serpents, but gentle as doves”! Again, just like working with our children— “a gentle answer turns away wrath,” Proverbs 15:1.
All the above suggestions are simple and inexpensive. Consistency is the key, finding ways to make regular contact. These opportunities will strengthen and build positive relationships so that, when a threat comes our way, we can make that call, send that e-mail, or write that letter expressing our concerns. And, if we have done our footwork, this person may listen—because barriers are down and a bridge has been built, a relationship established that will bring positive dialog between both parties and, Lord willing, positive results. Scripture reminds us in Psalm 33:16-18, that “No king is saved by the size of his army; no warrior escapes by his great strength...but the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear Him, on those whose hope is in His unfailing love.” Yes, homeschoolers are the minority, but with the Lord’s help, together we can make a difference by building bridges and protecting the frontlines of home education.
Reprinted with permission from The Clipboard, newsletter of the Jackson Area Home Educators, August, 2004.
The Sailors have 5 children, ages 3-20, and have been home educating since 1989. They have served as directors of JAHE from 1991-1999. Currently they serve as Political Liaison for the INCH Advisory Board and as HSLDA’s CAP Coordinators for Michigan’s 7th District.