“Our goal is to help our children be ready for heaven.”
Susanna Spencer
Who is Susanna Spencer?
Susanna Spencer has a masters in theology from the Franciscan University of Steubenville. She is a writer and the theological editor for Blessed is She, a co-author of the children’s devotional book, Rise Up: Shining in Virtue, and a regular blog contributor at the National Catholic Register. She is a homeschooling mother of four and lives with her family in St. Paul, Minnesota. You can find out more at her website.
How To Start Christian Homeschooling?
In this episode, Susanna Spencer tells us how Christian families can start homsechooling. She explains:
– What is homeschooling?
– Why is it a great choice for Christian families?
– What are the first steps to take? And then how do you go about it?
Teaching Children Christian Virtues
We’ve seen how teaching children Christian virtues in the home produce saints. Since we’re all going through an extensive lockdown and an unpredictable year, we’re seeing lots of parents struggling. Homeschooling is not new. However, many parents are now beginning to see the advantages of Christian homeschooling. Given all the recent changes in the public sphere, the lack of any moral code whatsoever, I’m sure many others are thinking of going this route.
I know a few of my friends even sought spouses who would support this idea before pursuing courtship. I also tutor kids in Maths and Science when a homsechooling parent finds it tough. So I decided to reach out to Susanna who has been successfully doing this for her children.
I reached out to her and she was so prompt about talking about this despite her busy schedule. In fact, on the day that we were supposed to record, I lost Wi-fi and Susanna was so gracious to reschedule. This woman has a lot of patience. And I was so grateful that she gave me a second chance to record.
As you can hear in the podcast, Susanna talks about lots of benefits of homseschooling especially for Christian families. Her family begins the day with prayer and teaching subjects that evidence God and virtues.
Most days, her kids finish school before lunch and then have the entire afternoon to play. I love how she talks about praying while deciding to do this.
Choosing to homsechool your kids is a vocation.
Susanna Spencer
Benefits of Christian Homeschooling
The biggest advantage Susanna says she sees is unity. It’s really nice to see unity among the kids. You can teach children what’s really important and focus on what matters.
It’s also less expensive.
You can make teach as much religion as you want. Her kindergarten son knows Latin prayers! Wow!
You can teach truth.
When it comes to your spouse, Susanna has excellent advice as she recommends praying for the other person. She says, “God can change people’s hearts.”
For those interested, here’s the book she recommends by Cathy Duffy, How To Choose Homeschool Curriculum. You can read this before you decide and discern what’s best for your child.
The online course website she mentioned in the podcast: https://homeschoolconnections.com/
In the end, Susanna does say, its a sacrifice and it will have its challenges. What’s right for another family might not be so for you. Don’t compare and don’t feel pressured. Take it a year at a time. You can always switch.
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