Every once in a while cultural norms hit you in the face from the most surprising places. Yesterday [1] Carmon linked to a couple of blog posts that were negative about homeschooling and they came from strong Reformed circles. Those articles were such an antithesis to the stated purpose of this blog, to encourage homeschooling mothers, that I am not even going to link to them. But in thinking over things this morning and in light of recent events our family has come up against, I am convinced that these attacks are coming from the prevailing victory of feminism in our culture.

I have always known the feminism was a bad philosophy that caused deep problems for a culture and I have always known that ideas have consequences but frankly, I am shocked at the places feminism has taken root.

My future daughters-in-law have faced countless criticisms for their choices, even to get married. Christians can’t understand why one dil isn’t going to college and why the other one isn’t going to use her degree. This makes my blood boil, not because I am haggard and worn (Yes, I sometimes am.) but because I have spent 27 years at home leading a rich, fulfilling life. I have had this satisfaction precisely because I am at home and I have the assurance of knowing that the things I do really matter for eternity. My life has been hard enough to give me the satisfaction of a job well done.

I believe that as homeschoolers we should be honest with one another about the pitfalls and dangers of homeschooling, but I am saddened almost every day now to watch former homeschooling moms trade in their heritage for a mess of pottage: for the approval of the world, for self-fulfillment which isn’t attained by seeking it, for more time at the gym, for financial gain.
These things may help us in the short term to feel better about ourselves especially in the light of such ongoing criticism but in the long run they will take wings and fly away.

It is hard work to teach a child to read. It can wear you down and make you haggard. It can take years sometimes. Most homeschooling moms are facing a job whose rewards are in the future. It would be a lot more fun to look cute at church so that the pastor thought your husband was a good candidate for eldership. It would be rewarding in the here and now, but we are not in a sprint we are in a marathon. Most of us are the worst part of it, the middle, with the glow of the early race worn off and the end not in sight. I hope you will not give up. I hope you will recognize the slings and arrows of the enemy even when they come from a friend. We wrestle not against flesh and blood.

I am not a Catholic. My views on justification are simple. I believe that Christ death was efficacious for me. It used to bother me tremendously that there were more Catholics than protestants at anti-abortion rallies (not because the Catholics were there but because the protestants weren’t), it bothers me even more now that Reformed moms have to turn to [2] John Mark Reynolds for encouragement when their own ranks decide that is more important for them to have their hair done than teach their children to read.