Considerations for Staying Home with Children

If you’re fortunate enough to have kids and the opportunity to stay home, it might be worth thinking about keeping them at home until they start formal education.

For those unable to stay at home, that’s where to begin.

All children benefit from being around those who love them the most. Period.

Many find financial constraints are the main reason for not being able to stay at home, but I encourage you and your partner to explore creative ways to make it work.

I’ve witnessed many families making sacrifices to live on one income, and I’d suggest considering this before having children. But, it’s never too late to reevaluate and adjust your lifestyle to spend more time with your kids. They really do grow up fast.

Speaking of which, I think it would be beneficial for fathers to look for income opportunities that allow them to be at home, at least occasionally. Kids thrive when they can spend quality time with their fathers.

Financial Challenges or Justifications?

In discussions about homeschooling, the focus tends to be more on mothers than fathers. So, we should question whether financial reasons truly keep mothers from staying home. A friend of mine gave up a promising job to take care of her three young children, and she believes Christian women should reflect on their priorities when balancing careers and family.

• Do I hold my career and time in too high regard? Am I ready to submit these to God?
• Why didn’t I think about staying home more seriously when many women are doing so? Is my desire different?
• Am I prepared to make sacrifices? Have I prayed on whether staying home is right for me?

If you asked yourself these questions when your baby was born, it might be time to reconsider them when your child reaches “school age.”

Returning to homeschooling, I prefer to think of it as home education. This involves not just schooling, but prioritizing home as the central place of learning. I genuinely believe responsible parents, especially those of faith, should strive for that.

Home Sweet Home

As Dorothy famously said, there’s truly no place like home. No organization can replicate the profound environment of a loving home for children’s growth, learning, and development. This holds true from birth onward.

Daycare centers simply can’t match the nurturing, love, and individual attention that parents provide at home. No preschool will cater to a child’s unique needs and talents as affectionately as dedicated parents can.

Although too many children are placed in institutional care from a young age, those with infants, toddlers, and preschoolers often find themselves paying for such services, which encourages a rethink about staying home part of the time.

However, once kids hit school age, society suggests it’s time for stay-at-home parents (often mothers) to return to work, pursue careers, and have some “me time.”

No Simple Shift

Yet, I’d argue there’s no straightforward transition when a child turns 5 or 6, suddenly making parental presence less crucial. In fact, I believe this need extends throughout elementary school—they benefit significantly from being at home with their caring parents.

So, let’s explore how to lay the groundwork during those early years so that home education feels natural, making the transition to more structured learning easier as the time comes.

Home Education Basics

Education actually begins on day one. According to the dictionary, education is about imparting knowledge, skills, and judgment.

Babies learn primarily through interactions with their parents. It’s the way families are designed to work; it’s part of God’s plan.

This desire to nurture your baby often leads to new skills being learned, adjusting routines, or even purchasing new items. And yes, all of this might continue to shape your life.

As preschool starts and kids become increasingly engaged at home, the foundational things you can provide for them are both simple and instinctive.

Make your home a safe, orderly, loving, peaceful, and stimulating environment.

While it sounds easy, it does require some effort.

Safety

Ensuring children’s safety is essential. Your daily presence fosters a strong sense of security, which is vital for them to learn that it’s okay to explore and distance themselves occasionally.

This doesn’t mean you can’t go out or hire a babysitter, but having trusted family or friends close by can help build that security. When God placed your child in a family, it included grandparents and other relatives.

Fostering resilience also enhances security. If your child falls, and it’s not serious, reassure them with a calm, cheerful tone. Encourage them to pick up where they left off. This approach helps them self-soothe and recover more efficiently.

Little ones can never have too much time with their parents and loved ones. When it’s safe and practical, let your children join you in daily tasks or simply “help out” as a form of play. Remember, they’re constantly learning.

Order

Children thrive within boundaries—they crave them, need them, and so do you.

Establishing a general schedule and maintaining a consistent environment will cultivate that sense of order, helping them develop good habits early on.

Love

Families should express love without limit. Kids must feel that their parents love each other too. And yes, it’s worth mentioning my grandparents again—they’ll be over for dinner tonight!

Peacefulness

Certainly, disagreements will occur. But with young children present, aim for a peaceful atmosphere. A home should be a refuge. Loud arguments and tantrums—whether from kids or adults—are unacceptable.

Interest

Now, this is where people usually think of “education.” However, by ensuring safety, order, love, and peace, you’re already imparting vital knowledge, skills, and judgment—this constitutes the most important “curriculum.”

In part two, I’ll elaborate on what more to teach.