You Homeschool?!?

As many of you know, I homeschool my kids. When people find this out, I get many different reactions. Some are reactions of interest, curiosity, disbelief, or the occasional "oh really" said in that tone of voice that tells you that they don't approve. Thankfully, I've never had anyone treat me badly or disrespectfully when they find out that I homeschool.

Some people can't believe that I would WANT to homeschool. They are only too happy to load their children on the school bus each morning and have the day to themselves. From my perspective, I can't believe anyone WOULDN'T want to homeschool their kids! It has been such a blessing to me! That's not to say that I don't have my days of frustration and feelings of defeat, but those days are getting fewer and farther between.

So, why do I homeschool? There are many reasons, too many to realistically list but I will give my top 10 reasons.

1. I wanted to be a mother ever since I was a tiny little girl, when I was in 1st grade, I had an assignment to draw a picture of what I wanted to be when I grew up. I drew a picture of a "mommy" holding her newborn baby. My teacher, Mrs. Marks, liked my picture so much, she asked if she might keep it, so I let her keep it. Scott and I waited 2 years after we got married to try and have a baby, and it took us 2 years to finally conceive. There was a time when I didn't think I would be able to have a baby, so when it finally happened, we decided before he was even born, that I would homeschool. I want to spend every single moment with my children... I don't want miss anything!
2. I LOVE to teach! In fact, had I not been able to have children, I might very well have become a teacher.
3. I want to teach my children all subjects from a Christ-centered perspective. They simply can't get that in a public school setting.
4. I want to protect them from bad influences and mean children. The main "criticism" I hear about homeschooling is, no socialization. My children are VERY socialized. We are very active in our church, we have family that live right next door with cousins to play with, we belong to a homeschool group and we attend functions once a month. Last year we belonged to a history co-op. The difference between homeschool and public school is...I get to pick WHO they socialize with.
5. They are not exposed to as many illnesses and as a result have remained healthier than many of the other children that we know.
6. We have the flexibility to take breaks and go on vacations whenever it fits OUR schedule and not a school systems schedule.
7. We have the freedom during the day to visit friends and help others in need.
8. My children are taught responsibility because they have more household chores than other kids who are gone all day and then saddled with loads of homework every night.
9. My children have learned the value and importance of family.
10. My children have received a far better education than they otherwise would because they can work at their own pace, and not move on until they have actually LEARNED. They are not rushed through in order to "keep to a schedule" or made to learn in a cookie cutter way. They have one on one teaching rather than sharing one teacher with 30 children.

None of this is to say that homeschooling is for everyone, or that a child can't thrive in a public school setting. It is, however, why I homeschool.

I love homeschooling! I get a thrill out of finding new curriculum, or free teaching materials online! Just today, I found a website with TONS of free printables. As I was browsing the materials on the website, my pulse quickened and I got so excited! I started printing things and only quit when my printer ran out of ink! It makes me sad to think that my kids are already in 5th grade! It has gone by too fast! I only have 7 more years, then what will I do? I thank God that He laid in on my heart, even before my children were born, to homeschool them. It has been one of the most challenging, frustrating, fulfilling, enjoyable things I have ever done, or will ever do and I wouldn't trade it for a million dollars!