Dear Mom,

Bless your heart. It sounds as though you are 'covered up' as we say in the South. You needn't feel badly about your situation or the challenges that you are currently facing. I admire you greatly. You have a heart for your children and you are working in order to provide for them and care for them. I am certain that your husband is grateful for the extra income that your part time job will allow. You are doing what you are able to do in order to be there for your family. This is of the Lord and represents a love of the Lord as well as of your family.

I am aware of virtual schools however I have never directly used one or know of anyone that has. However with that said, I share the same concerns that you expressed. More intervention or more regulation seems to be the caution that throws a red flag up concerning this method of homeschooling.

You are correct that CHC does not offer teacher back up in the way of grading and record keeping. However considering the financial challenges that you are facing I do not believe that a more expensive curriculum that does offer these advantages would be within your budget. Let's look at some of the concerns that you are having which make it difficult for you to decide to homeschool. Was the year difficult for lack of discipline on the part of the children? Perhaps they were sidelined due to other adult challenges that you and your dear husband were having to work through. I think it is important to understand exactly what made the year difficult in order to fully understand how to address the concerns you are having with homeschooling. Next it seems to me that you should identify the reasons that your children want to return to the homeschool. After discussing these two issues you may come to grips with the pivotal reasons that homeschooling was difficult for you and where your concerns are centered.

However if after careful thought and prayer you feel that the best choice for your family is the Catholic school then I see no reason for you to feel badly about this choice. Remember that homeschooling is not the hallmark of quality parenting. Homeschooling is a method of educating our children. You have proven your devotion to your children in your willingness to sacrifice for them and to work alongside your husband to ensure their well being. This is a great act of courage. Putting the needs of your dear children uppermost in your heart will be honored by the Lord.

Continue to pray and ask that the Lord open doors and dispel the confusion in your heart. Sit quietly before the Blessed Sacrament. Pray intently and with purpose telling the dear and tender Jesus all that concerns you. Then take a deep breath and allow for a time of quiet before the Lord. You will hear the Lord speak to you. Jesus longs to help you sort through this challenge. His strength is your strength in that the Lord gives us the empowerment to do His will.

Lord, we bring the needs and concerns of our dear sister in Christ before You today. Lord, we ask that You allow that she feel the strength of Your embrace. Let her rest in Your arms as she carefully discerns the path that is best for her children. Lord, we ask that You provide employment for her dear husband. Let him find ways to be active and helpful to his dear family as he struggles through this challenge. Keep his spirit ready and eager. Guard him against the sorrow of loss of confidence as he searches for work. Lord, we ask that all husbands are able to be healthy and fruitful in their daily work so as to better care for those that depend upon them. St. Joseph, pray for us. Amen.

Sending out a prayer,

Rita Munn