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Question: My family has successfully home-educated for 16 years, and our older children are doing exceptionally well in higher education and in their workplaces. They are valued members of our local Catholic community, and of their sporting clubs. My husband has just told me that he wants our little one to start first grade next year at a school. I think he wants me to go out and work to increase our income. I am totally devastated. We would have to send our little one to a liberal Catholic school, or to a state (public) school. Please pray for us - I would be most grateful if you have any ideas to help me handle the situation.
Answer:

Dear Mom,

First let us begin this letter with prayer. I do not want you to be fearful of your ability to handle the issues that are presented to you at this time. Remember that not even a sparrow falls to the ground without the Father's will that it should do so. There must be a reason within the Father's will that your husband is bringing this issue up at this time. Let us pray.

Lord, please allow that Your tender embrace surround our dear sister in Christ at this time. Let her feel the full strength of Your tender care and give her the comfort of Your presence as she walks this path. Jesus, we trust in Your overwhelming love and Your desire to be in our lives. We love You and long to see Your face. Amen.

Sometimes when our husbands bring up an issue such as the one you are dealing with now, we must remember that rarely is the statement the end of the issue. In other words, we must look beyond the surface statement and explore with a heart of understanding the deeper meaning that may be at work upon our husband's heart. Pray to have a heart that is docile in the Lord. Docility means a willingness to be taught. It means to have a teachable spirit. A teachable spirit is a blessing before the Lord.

I notice that there is quite a gap of age between your youngest and the youngest of the older children. Perhaps there is something at work there that is of concern to your husband. Maybe he is wondering if there may be health reasons that would make homeschooling a challenge. Sometimes when we enter middle age, our husbands begin to daydream about the days of retirement and 'no children' underfoot. Hee, hee. Little do they realize that we moms are very anxious about those days and would prefer not to think about that upcoming time in our life.

It could be that there are true financial concerns that your dear husband has been battling and because he is a man who loves sacrificially he has not brought these concerns to your attention. Encourage him to talk with you about the challenges that he may or may not be facing with regard to money. There are so many issues that our dear husbands handle with grace and fortitude that are hidden from our view. In the days of tiny nursing persons and toddlers, our husbands handle many issues wanting to spare us the anxiety. I am always amazed at the juggling act Ronald preforms with quiet grace and centered passion wanting only to provide for his family. It is a blessing for me when he shares his challenges with me. I desire to be a true helper and to be empowered to help where I can.

I admire your sweet and tender spirit. You are a woman of great faith. I sense in you a woman who is ready to do what she is able to do to support and help her husband. Please open up a dialogue with your dear husband. Get to the reasons beyond the statement. Pray to know the right words to speak and the wisdom to know when to speak them.

Sending out a prayer,

Rita Munn

   
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