Life Goals

A friend asked me (along with all the other women on our homeschooling forum) what my goals were for my children. It's a good question, one that I think about often. I want my children to succeed in all aspects of life. I want them to be happy, and fulfilled. I want them to love deeply and be loved. I want them to think for themselves, to dig out truth among the ashes. I had a good childhood, I was loved by my parents, they were fun and supportive. but I still rebelled and suffered the consequences for my actions, like having to give up my son at birth and miss out on the first 17 years of his precious life. I don't want that for my own children. I want better! I want the best. So when people ask me (often) why I am homeschooling, why I adopt, why I choose to be "overprotective" of my children, it is because I love them. I can give them a public school education, but is that the best? No. I can allow my children to dress as they please without my strict clothing guidelines, but is that the best? I don't think so, especially not in today's culture. I can allow them free access to the TV, but that isn't what's the absolute best for them either. Or to fill their minds with secular music, filled with lust and disrespect for others, but that's not the best I can do. I can allow my children "freedom of religion" and I think I do that by sharing the Truth and allowing them to let it take root in their own hearts.

Why settle? I'm not understanding that realm of thought. So, yes, I *could* relax and allow my children more freedoms in these areas, but I won't because I know I can do better than just "get by". My children are free anyway... free to laugh, enjoy their siblings, learn whatever their hearts desire. They are free to sing and dance at 1:00 in the afternoon, free to go for walks dissecting owl pellets and looking into pond water on a sunny day, free to hang upside down from the couch while reciting memorization, free to tell silly jokes and tall tales, free to play games or paint or try a new instrument, free to have hot cocoa and warm cookies for breakfast, free to read books upon books upon books (Mom, remember how I used to get in trouble for hiding books in school, and reading during class time? ~smile~)... They are free to be individuals, uninhibited by classroom confinement and a one-size-fits-all mentality. This is a good life, and the BEST that I can do.

This is my list of goals, I do not include my husband's desires because we are pretty aligned in this and it is MY journal. ~grin~

-That they love the Lord, and are equipped in their faith able to defend it.
-That they love and trust Nick and I, and have fun-loving relationships with us.
-That they are respectful and serve others.
-That they are equipped to serve God in whatever manner they feel led (including education).
-That they can communicate well in writing and speech.
-That they are self-learners.
-That they can handle their own finances.
-That they can adequately raise a family.
-That they recognize and learn from past mistakes of historical figures, and other people.