Why we homeschool . . . and you should too!

Why we homeschool . . . and think you should too!

A friend and I were at the park a couple of years ago and the typical question came up, “Why did you choose to homeschool?” I was a little taken aback because this woman had been my friend for several years but we never had “the talk.”

We, like so many others, homeschool because it is the right fit for our family. We enjoy the freedom of scheduling, curriculum, and teaching our kids what we think they need to learn in order to survive and thrive as adults.

In fact, I think homeschooling is so awesome that I think many more families should do it! Think I’m crazy? Here are my 5 reasons we homeschool and you think you should too!!

Why We Homeschool

Family

Homeschooling is an amazing way of living the mantra “Family first.” You spend more time with your family. Your day-to-day life revolves around your family and your schedule. You make decisions on a daily basis on what is best for your family.

“What books should we get from the library this week?” “Will my kid actually sit through this play?” “My kids sleep till 8 so an activity has to be pretty awesome to cut short their sleep ;)” We, like so many others, homeschool because it is the right fit for our family. It’s pretty awesome!

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Choices

The amount of choices can be overwhelming at times: curriculum, enrichment activities, screen time, co-ops, the list could go on forever. Decision fatigue is real in homeschool moms. BUT all these choices mean you have endless options for your homeschool and your lifestyle If a curriculum doesn’t work, you can find a new one.

If your child has a different learning style than his or her siblings, you can make an adjustment so all your children are able to learn best. Your children’s educational journey is centered around your choices.

Flexibility

Oh my gosh the flexibility is amazing! School time isn’t just 8-3 Monday through Friday, You get to “do school” or take time off whenever you want! If your child is sick you don’t have to agonize over whether to send them to school. You can start your school work and see how they feel. You get to vacation in the off-season.

Children will learn best when they are at the skill level of what they are studying. For example, a child read in kindergarten but won’t be ready multiplication until they are 10. Or the reverse may be true. They can add and subtract at 5 but don’t learn to read until they are closer to 8. This principle, called the readiness factor, can be frustrating at times but it is a gift for homeschoolers. We are able to be flexible with our child’s learning abilities, skills, and readiness.

Being flexible allows you to accommodate each child. Your children’s educational journey is centered around their schedule.

Values

Values differ from one family to the next. If you have different values than the “mainstream,” I don’t need to tell you how hard it is to keep it from infiltrating your kids. Some may see this as controlling or sheltering kids, but I see it as focusing on the positives. I’m freeing my kids from negative peers, negative information, and negative behavior.

At least on a daily basis. My kids aren’t kept in a closet. We still go out and have negative interactions: loud kids at the library, several tormentors at the pool, kids acting up at activities.

Your values also line up with what you teach your kids. If you value history, art, and nature, your kids may not be getting that in the traditional school environment. Teaching your children about things you love and value is one of the best things about homeschooling. Your children’s educational journey is centered around your values.

Self directed learning

I think all parents can agree we want our kids to grow up and find work in what they are passionate about, whether it be art, transportation, medicine, manufacturing, ministry, etc. We want our children to be happy, productive members of society. Self directed learning is an awesome way to foster this.

Young adults often don’t know what they want to do because they have never be allowed to explore academia beyond math, science, and reading. If you take an unschooled approach, your child gets to spend their entire day learning and doing things they love. If you use a traditional curriculum, you can add things in that your kids love. AND take things out that they hate or are not ready for. Your children’s educational journey is centered around YOUR CHILDREN!

Check out these posts to learn more about our homeschool journey!

• 10 Reasons We Decided to Homeschool
• So You Want to Homeschool, Read this First!
• A Simple Strategy to Transform Your Homeschool
• We Haven’t “Done School” in Six Months, and Why I’m Totally OK With It

I will close my 5 reasons for homeschooling with our homeschool motto: “Kids will tell you what they want to learn. They want to learn, just not bullshit.” Jim Breuer. The comedian Jim Breuer inspired us to consider homeschooling in the first place, and I am so glad we have. Our kids are being educated the way we see fit, according to our values, their learning styles, their readiness, and their interests.