I got a call yesterday from our adoption agency with news that since most people in Kyrgyzstan think all Americans are movie stars and have millions of dollars, we would not be eligible for any kind of discounts if we adopt more than one kid. 'That shouldn't be a big deal,' I thought. 'What kinds of expenses are there?'
So, I asked.
"Well, you'll need $12,000 for this... $6,000 for that..." and on and on it went.
In the end, it is estimated that we'll need around $50K just for the Kyrgyzstan fees. That's not including the fees we've already paid, travel, food... oh man. And if someone had told me that it would cost around $75,000 to adopt three kids, I don't know if I'd ever have started. But now that we've filled out half the paperwork, signed a bunch of checks, seen pictures, and really felt like this was something we're supposed to do, we're going to keep moving forward ...and apply for a few grants <smile>.
And this is easily applied to homeschooling.
[NB: I sincerely hope that no one gets sick of me drawing parallels between the two because I have a feeling that I probably will do so often since they are both such a big part of my life experience]
I've been trying to discover the reasons why people do and do not buy from Sonlight for their homeschool curriculum. Cost is the big reason, so when they look at the price they immediately write it off: Nope, can't do that.
But we need to move beyond the cost of things and look at their value. How much is it worth to adopt children? How much is it worth to teach them?
And so someone suggested that instead of starting with the price, start with the value. For me, adopting three beautiful children is an immeasurable blessing, and homeschooling them will be the same. And with Sonlight Curriculum we will build a library of fantastic books that my kids will be able to enjoy their entire lives. I know I still love many of the books I read growing up with Sonlight.
Some Sonlight Books
Much like college, only far more intimate, the opportunity to homeschool your children is a worthwhile investment. And there is value in it.
I realize that finances are a real hurdle for some of us (and with this adoption thing, boy, do I ever understand that), but if this is what we should be doing--and the amazing value of it seems to say that we should--then the price is merely a hurdle to get over, an obstacle to overcome, and not a barrier that stops us.
~Luke Holzmann
Filmmaker, Writer, Expectant Father
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