The Proof is in the Pudding

We’ve all heard the saying.  “The proof is in the pudding” is actually a shortened version of an old English saying dating from around the 17th century. Some sources date it as far back as the 14th century but it first appears in writing much later. The entire quote actually went like this: “The proof of the pudding is in the eating,” which meant that the results of your efforts would only be seen when you put it into practice or to the test.

Report CardToday I have reason to apply that old saying to our homeschool. We have put untold hours into our children’s education for these last 18 years and while we have seen excellent results with each of our boys we had never put our results to the “test” of higher education. My oldest two boys didn’t choose to further their education at a college level and that was fine with us. One is in a high-level information technology position and the other is in the retail business. We want them to pursue what interests them and not just follow the crowd, which seems to think that the only way to succeed is with a college degree.

It wasn’t until our third child finished his homeschooling and expressed an interest in a field that required a degree that we had the opportunity to see if the “pudding” was up to the test. We found out yesterday that in his case it definitely passed the test.  He just finished his second semester of the classes he is required to take to obtain a degree in Criminal Justice.  He took 4 classes and yesterday received his grades…straight A’s.  Combined with last semester he finishes his first year with a 3.95-grade point average.

Okay, now I’m done bragging.  But I am not done encouraging you to stick with it!  There are many areas in life that require a long wait to see if your efforts will pay off. In the case of homeschooling, our son’s college accomplishments have been a source of encouragement to me. I feel like I can breathe a little. I really am accomplishing something with all this time and energy!

Of course, you don’t need to homeschool to have these same feelings. While you are raising your children you often wonder what your kids will be like when you finally get to the end of the road. When you release your grown children to live on their own in the world will they make it?  All parents wonder if they are doing the right things in the day-to-day parenting decisions they make, regardless of which educational method they choose.  My hope today is that you will use my experience to give you the courage to keep going!   Whether they are homeschooled or not, whether they go to college or not, the time and energy you put into your children are worth it.

Be encouraged!

–Sheryl