Homeschooling

Apart from the Bible, there have been a few other books I read that had a profound lifelong impact on me. No matter how many times I read them (and I like to reread books), they still give me a delicious sort of pleasure in learning something new or reminding me of an idea that I'd like to implement in my life. 

One of those books happen to be Totto-Chan, by Tetsuko Kuroyanagi. I first read that book when I was 8 or 9. It was an instant hit as I found myself relating almost completely to the protagonist's experience of being misunderstood and labelled by all her teachers as "naughty". How I envied her happy position of being expelled and moved to a better, more fun school! I too wished at that point that I could also learn what I wanted when I wanted.

At that age, I would have been happy doing just a few things each day-- playing with other kids at a playground, exploring my neighborhood, reading book after book, and doing art. Out of those four, I was rarely afforded even one of those activities daily as my hours were mainly taken up by school and a boring existence at either my babysitter's or daycare. As a result, much of my childhood was spent feeling mentally unchallenged and physically restless.

Even before Covid-19, I had always been inclined towards homeschooling as a result of my unsatisfactory experiences with traditional schooling. Not being allowed to read ahead. Not being allowed to explore concepts with freedom. Not being allowed to freely express myself in speech/writing/attire. There were simply too many "nots" in my way. Naturally, I began homeschooling the kids with the desire to keep the doors of learning open for them. Yet I also wanted give them the option to attend a regular school should they ever want to someday. 

The further I went in this homeschooling journey, the more I began to appreciate Mr. Kobayashi's approach to education in Totto-Chan. Perhaps there has been much romanticisation of his methods. I still found plenty to inspire and emulate in that book. Even tonight, as I am working on this year's homeschooling material, I find my mind wandering back to those railway cars filled with the sounds of children's voices. 

I can't help but see how God has been preparing me in odd yet apt ways, for a life that I completely could not foresee. It helps to recognize His guiding hand even in the ways of failure, because it comforts me to know that He uses even those moments for the good of those who love Him. How wonderful it is to be able to live in that knowledge! I feel reassured that although my best will fall short, and so will my children, God will still use every bit of it for good. Nothing goes to waste.