Michael Pakaluk wrote an excellent op-ed entitled A Father Asks: Should I Homeschool? It was published recently in the Boston Pilot. Pakaluk is a professor of philosophy in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Upon seeing the headline my first reaction was to think, “Of course you should homeschool - it is the best thing ever for kids. If you love them, you keep them close and teach them from the heart.”

But then I caught myself and remembered that homeschooling may not be for everyone. I’m not totally discounting the idea it could be for everyone. In my ideal dream-world, every parent is devoted enough to his children to spend time teaching them. In reality, too many parents lack confidence, or are distracted and too busy.

In his article, Pakaluk gives some well-reasoned points about homeschooling and I highly commend his article. Today I’m going to comment on only one thing: the expectations many homeschool parents have that their kids will excel and out-do public schooled kids.

Pakaluk started his article by writing that over two million children are now being homeschooled in the USA, and that they are doing well academically compared to their public schooled peers. While that is true in general, it was not my experience with my children. Both my homeschooled children were in need of special-ed type education. Though I think they got a great education for the unique and beautiful people that they are, and I’m proud and happy that I homeschooled them, they are not at the top of their classes by a long shot. So though I think having your child excel above other children in their age groups is a noble and idealistic objective, be aware it doesn’t always turn out that way. That doesn’t mean homeschooling is wrong for your kids; it only means that not all homeschoolers are top achievers so don’t be disappointed if your kids turn out to be more normal.

It is OKAY to be normal! Your kids don’t have to be THE BEST to be happy or to do well in life!

Does that take any of the pressure off? I hope so!

Homeschooling gives us an opportunity to bond with our children, to respond to their individual needs, and to help them be the best they can be. This “best” should be the ultimate goodness for each child; it should not have to be a matter of competition with others. Competition is a public school concept. Let’s leave it there and enjoy each day with the children we live with and learn with.

Houston, Texas, April 3, 2007 - Curriculum choices, learning styles, teaching multiple ages—there’s so much for homeschooling moms to think about! In spite of those challenges, you might be surprised to learn what causes the most stress for these mothers. According to a study done by Doctor of Education Susan A. McDowell from Vanderbilt University the lack of organization and housework worries ranked as the most stress-inducing concerns, not the expected issues such as choosing curriculum, using good teaching methods, or children learning.

Marilyn Rockett, veteran homeschool mother and organization expert addresses this life-stress issue in her latest book, Homeschooling at the Speed of Life: Balancing Home, School, and Family in the Real World. Just released, Rockett’s book provides a “mentor in print” to both beginning and experienced homeschool moms. Having homeschooled three boys for fifteen years, she relates to the stresses of today’s homeschooling mom as she offers encouragement and practical strategies useful for any homeschool family. Marilyn noted, “Over the years, I have seen more women quit homeschooling because of a failure to balance their home and school than over academic concerns. I know that if I could homeschool successfully, other mothers can do the same.”

Organization in the home is such a needed topic that others are already praising Rockett’s efforts to come to the aid of the most important workforce in our society—moms at home. Homeschooling mom Deborah Cariker proclaims, “Marilyn has written this book on organizing, but she’s also written a ‘heart search’ that, when fruitful, shows up in a better organized home and school. I was convicted and encouraged.” Organization expert Debbie Williams of Organized Times loved the book, saying it’s “a reminder to slow down and focus on God as we heed the call to teach our children at home, by putting one foot in front of the other down the twisting road of life.”

The book includes a bonus CD-ROM with helpful tools for keeping up with busy homeschool moms’ activities and records.