My answer to a Mom torn

Shawn,

I understand how you are torn. It is a very different world we are living in, than it was in CM's time. It is even very different than it was when we were children. Girls were not expected to work and boys would usually stay on at the family business or on the farm. This is no longer the case. We are also under a cloud of government control. Christians are no longer the majority. The job market is tough and competition is high. In public school your kids will be taught evolution as fact and will be taught without any Christian world view. The adults in charge of your kids will vary, you may get lucky and get good ones that care or you may not. Government teachers are not allowed to teach Christian views or conservative politics /ethics. That wouldn't be so bad if they, at least, stayed neutral but often they do not. The public schools expect sex, drugs and violent behavior and only seek to keep it from interfering with the daily teaching, of which many care not if it is sinking in. How well your kids do is often still up to each student and the parents. Even if you have a good school with good teachers, the kids are influenced by their peers, many of which are from immoral or abusive homes. Seeds get planted and given a foothold they will grow. Being able to say no is wonderful and I don't think we need to raise our kids in bubbles, but the opportunity for looking sin in the face is everywhere from the sports team to church camp. Sin and flesh and desire to fulfill them are inside every person and kids especially need to learn how to deal with those challenges. It sound like you have done a wonderful job thus far equipping your kids and that is why your kids are thriving as they are, however my fear is that they will grow weary over time. I hope you'll continue to seek God's wisdom and grace and I know that you will do what is right for your family. Charlotte Mason offers a rich and Wonderful curriculum of only the best of books and materials. I don't know that I will follow AO to the letter, but customize to my children and our family. Personally, I see nothing wrong with staying informed about the current state/government standards and learning how to document for high school transcripts in preparation for college. I pray that your kids and mine can be everything that God intends and will grow him to be adults who not only can take care of themselves, but are prepared for service in Gods kingdom and to serve others. God Bless, I wish you the best!! =D Julie