I’m a big fan of homeschooling. Ok, that’s an understatement. I’m a crazy pom pom waving cheerleader for homeschooling. I didn’t used to be, though. I believed homeschoolers were weirdos and that the public school system was great.
I taught in the special ed department. I saw lots of things I didn’t like, but figured you have to take the good with the bad. I believed in homework and I believed that teachers really knew what was best.
Then I became a mother. I watched Daniel leave before 7am and not get home til after 4pm. I watched our time as a family be sacrificed to the alter of knowledge as the system sees it. I watched us have to reteach some things at the end of the day while still trying to get him some play time, chore time and time to sleep. I watched us wonder what he was being exposed to and who was influencing him. Then I looked at my toddler, HB at the time, and knew I didn’t want that kind of life.
There are as many reasons to homeschool as there are homeschoolers, plus a few gazillion, since most people don’t homeschool for just one reason. If you are considering homeschooling, then you already have one (or a gazillion). If you’ve never considered homeschooling, may I humbly suggest some things to consider in the plus column for homeschooling:
- You can protectyour child from influences you believe are negative or dangerous until you believe your child is ready to handle these
- You can use a curriculum that reflects your personal beliefs and worldview
- You can have your child spend the majority of his or her time with you so you can develop an extremely close relationship and disciple your child more effectively
- Your child can work at his or her own pace without having to be ‘held back’ or ‘pushed ahead’ of the class
- You can plan activities with like minded peers for educational opportunities or extra curricular activities
- You can encourage and supervise situations for your child to work on individual interests that enhance their education
- You can have your late afternoons and evenings available for personal interests and family time because there is no ‘home work’
- You can plan your school year around what works best for your family
- You can take field trips, planned or spontaneous, any time without being counted “absent”
- You can have each child learn in their most appropriate methodology
- You can choose the educational philosophy yourself
- You can choose the socialization standard (thanks for reminding me, Dr. Beck!)
- You can wear pajamas most of the day
Do any (or all) of these opportunities appeal to you? Are you frustrated with the school system your child is in currently?
I know that homeschooling is not for everyone, though I wish we lived in a world where it was.
I wish that more parents would be willing to take the time to consider and/or try homeschooling.
Is homeschooling for you?
You don’t have to do it the way the weirdo down the street does it (or the weirdo on this blog). You can make your homeschool your own.
I’ve shared the basics of the recipe for a homeschooling mom in a different post. Do you have them?
Someone once said that my recipe is simply a recipe for being a mom. I agree. I believe moms can homeschool their children. Truly.
Can we all teach Chemistry? Nope. If you are invested in your child’s education and you believe chemistry is a part of that, you find a way for them to take chemistry.
Can we all teach all subjects that interest our child? Nope. Same thing.
Can we all prepare a child for medical school? Yes, by doing the thing above. Being resourceful is key. If you aren’t right now, I promise you’ll become so once you’ve been homeschooling a bit.
Homeschooling is a wonderful, fantastic, individual, special educational opportunity. Is it for you or your child? Come on in, the weirdos are wonderful! And, it turns out, they aren’t that weird.
