Wednesday, August 2nd, 2006...11:36 pm
Reasons We Homeschool
13 Reasons We Are Homeschoolers
1) More time together as a family. We can spend lots of time together everyday and do activities when it’s convenient for us, rather than waiting for a free Saturday. Also, Chris has an odd work schedule. If the kids were in school they’d only get to spend quality time with him every other weekend.
2) We are not tied to the school schedule. We can take a vacation in April or October, when lodging is cheaper. We can visit the park in the middle of the day when it is less crowded. We can sleep in when we want to and stay up late to watch a meteor shower without worrying how the kids will handle getting up at 6am.
3) Our kids can enjoy their childhood. They do not have to give up playtime and leisure activities. They do not have to spend their evenings doing homework. They have plenty of time to enjoy all the things they like to do without trying to squeeze it in for a few minutes between dinner and bedtime.
4) We can give our kids a customized education. Studies can be tailored to their interests and learning styles. We can use whatever materials and resources we want, not a generic program made for the average student. We can stick with what works, bypass what doesn’t, and explore new methods whenever we feel like it.
5) The kids are not labeled according to their weaknesses. They are not pulled out of class because they have difficulties with particular skills. They are not ranked and sorted by their short-comings. We do not have to go through piles of red tape and endless meetings to ensure that they receive a proper education.
6) The kids have control over their own body functions. They can go to the bathroom whenever they need to without having to ask permission. When they are hungry they can eat. They have access to healthy snacks, not junk food in vending machines. We also don’t have to worry about whether the teachers and other staff are taking their food allergies seriously.
7) We can do away with grade level restraints. We do not have to focus just on a select few topics. The kids can learn about whatever subject they want and spend as much time as they want learning about it, regardless of whether it’s a covered topic for their grade or not. They can work across multiple grade levels as their own skills and interests dictate.
Our kids are not subjected to the SOLs. They do not have to spend each day memorizing items on a test. They are free to explore learning topics that cannot be evaluated by filling in circles with a number two pencil. We don’t have to ask our children to give up recess because they need to spend more time being taught to a test.
9) The kids are free from the artificial learning hierarchy that schools employ. They do not have to learn certain things in a particular order by a specific time regardless of interest or ability. They can engage in learning that is useful and meaningful.
10) Attendance issues disappear. Are the kids awake? Are they on planet earth? Then they’re in attendance. Homeschooling allows us to take a timeout for family emergencies and other unexpected situations. We do not have to balance school requirements with family needs. If the kids are sick they aren’t missing class or falling behind.
11) We can go, see, and do. We don’t have to wait for approval to take a field trip. We can transform book topics into real-life experiences. When the kids studied prehistoric life we went to a natural history museum where they could touch a real dinosaur bone, see scientists working in their field, and participate in interactive exhibits. If they want to learn about aquatic life we can go to a pond or aquarium for hands-on explorations.
12) It nurtures imagination and creativity. The kids can pursue art, music, and literature in their own ways. Art class can take place at any time. Reading can happen spontaneously throughout the day. They can play dramatic games, put on magic shows, perform interpretive dances, design new costumes, make storyboards, and bring their ideas to life everyday.
13) It fits our parenting style. We enjoy being with our kids and watching them learn. We don’t mind if our kids march to the beat of different drummers, in fact we’d prefer it. We feel that by homeschooling we are raising our children to be responsible and independent. We want them to love learning and have enthusiasm for life.
* Get the TT Code * Tags: Thursday Thirteen | Homeschooling
15 Comments
August 3rd, 2006 at 2:35 am
I admire people who have patience to do this. Sadly, I do not. My Thursday Thirteen is up! Happy Thursday!
August 3rd, 2006 at 2:45 am
Bravo to you!! I played, too.
August 3rd, 2006 at 4:24 am
Somehow our ancestors managed just fine without billions of dollars for government schools. Great list! My TT is up.
August 3rd, 2006 at 9:31 am
Fabulous list! I agree with everything you wrote and more. My TT is up as well.
August 3rd, 2006 at 10:19 am
I couldn’t ever homeschool. My kids would never get anything done. Proud of all you girls who do it though!
August 3rd, 2006 at 10:24 am
Ah, what fun to read the non-homeschooler’s responses! Great list.
August 3rd, 2006 at 11:18 am
Good post! I did the home school thing for four years, I know a few families who still do it.
I really enjoy the public school system here. My son is in sports, football, basketball, hockey, speech meets, plays, and robotics. The transition from home school to public was difficult but it is working much better for us. I think we should educate our children in whatever works for the individual families. I am proud of you for hanging in with home schooling… My TT is up
August 3rd, 2006 at 11:50 am
I think I would have enjoyed homeschooling my children, when they were small. I was like a teacher to them anyway, making them read, write things over and over, spell constantly - kept on at them about homework. But it paid off.
My TT is up.
August 3rd, 2006 at 12:40 pm
Nice! Found your post using Technorati’s “creativity” tag.
August 3rd, 2006 at 12:52 pm
I so totally admire people who homeschool their children, for many of these reasons and others. Great points, and well said. Kudos to you! Have a wonderful day, my T13 is up also…
August 4th, 2006 at 6:50 am
You are dedicated! I so could not teach. I have trouble even tutoring my kids with Math and I have a degree in Math. Well I can but sometimes it’s lead to some nasty fights. My daughter used to say “That’s not how the teacher teaches it!”. And she used to tell me I was wrong all the time. I try, but it’s definately not my bag baby.
August 4th, 2006 at 7:38 am
My neighbor is homeschooling her son this year, and I’ve offered to provide his physical education via the lawn mower and possibly some dog walking.
Me, ours are going to a private Christian school this year, public schools just stink, and I’m a big chickenhead about homeschooling.
Thanks for joining in - have a good weekend!
August 4th, 2006 at 8:41 am
I am AMAZED at how identical our lists of reasons for homeschooling are! 15 years into it, and our reasons still haven’t changed. Here’s another one from our list: We “forgot” to put our kids on the bus…
August 8th, 2006 at 1:39 pm
New homeschooler here. Like your list!
August 13th, 2006 at 11:01 am
What a great list. It’s very inspiring to a new hs mom. Our school wanted me to let my son fail in order that he have needed services provided to him. Then the teacher fudged his grades so he would pass. After years of 2-3 hours of homework a night, I’ve decided to take the plunge and hs him and my youngest. I’m so afraid of failing them, but figure I can’t fail them any more than the ps has. Good luck to all of us hs parents.
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