Education as a Lifestyle

Dear All,

Thanks for asking for clarification on the KONOS position on off-topic discussions on our e-group.  Here is my thinking:

When all of us make the decision to homeschool, we are choosing one educational choice out of a number of options.  But the educational upbringing of our children is just one aspect of the parenting process.  How we spend our free time, where we go to church, what is taught at church, how we get along with our spouses, how we celebrate holidays, who we vote for, and how we spend our summers, are part of the parenting process too.

Homeschooling, especially the KONOS way, is really about LIFESTYLE.  On this eloop, we talk about all kinds of teaching strategies, hands-on projects, good videos to watch, and which KONOS Volume to purchase, all of the time.  These are educational topics.  But we also talk about broader topics which are PARENTING ISSUES.  I have had moms write to me off-line and say, “Please just keep the group focused on educational topics only.”   Some are irritated by topics like corporal punishment, whether children should be forced to eat all foods, politics, and how parents should respond to less than ideal extended family situations, to name just a few.  To me, all of life is a KONOS topic if it affects a family’s ability to raise their children in the fear and admonition of the Lord or to teach them at home. 

For those of you who want to stay focused on educational topics, we respect your desire and should do everything we can to let you know what the nature of our post is.  We also ask that you respect other’s desires to have this group address a plethora of needs and questions that are more LIFESTYLE related.

All of these topics and a thousand others are part of that LIFESTYLE we are seeking to create for our families.  So Kim, I thank you for sharing your heart, because many struggle with whether to attend family holiday gatherings that are not the warm cozy atmosphere most parents want to share with their children.

Blessings,

Mr. Meanie

Wade Hulcy

wade@konos.com

P.P.S.  Speaking of the importance of a LIFESTYLE mindset, look what Abraham Kuyper  - Prime Minister  The Netherlands    1901-1905, had to say:

The greatest gift a church can receive is to have a group of families who take their responsibilities with such Christian seriousness that they are willing to completely alter their lifestyle to raise up disciples for Jesus Christ.