This is my 25th year of homeschooling our 10 children and if you were to ask me what age is most important for me to homeschool I would still say I would certainly homeschool high school. It is very important for me to give our children guidance, wisdom, affirmation and encouragement during that season of life.
High school is the rhetoric stage, when we teach our children to think and articulate concepts to others as well as how to implement the life skills they have been learning along the way. This season requires time that we would not have with them if they were in a traditional high school setting.
When our children are of high school age, daily I present opportunities, through academics and life events, for them to demonstrate their knowledge and apply their thoughts and ideas. As they incur situations and challenges, they obviously need to make choices. Many of the decisions they make can directly impact their immediate future i.e. post secondary education, career etc. Posing questions and presenting them with options, wisdom and guidance is essential. These conversations encourage them to be self aware and thus more responsible for themself and others.
I also encourage them to exercise their gifts and talents and to consider how they will implement and expound upon them in the future. Currently, we have two sons of high school age and they both have an interest in digital design. This quarter they are participating in an internship together. It has been a great experience. They are both learning new skills and I have had the pleasure of watching them grow in knowledge and in confidence.
Though high school is not the easiest stage of homeschooling, it is certainly worth the challenge to take the responsibility of teaching and testing them at home.
Fruit of Her Hand 