Choosing to homeschool our kids has been the greatest challenge and blessing of our lives! Every family has their own reasons for making the switch, but I am happy to share our top 10 reasons!
Our first ever day homeschooling in 2019
Homeschool? Us?
During our daughter Mia’s 5th grade year she presented us with the idea of pulling her out of school and homeschooling. To be honest, I didn’t know anyone who was homeschooled and I was sure that the stigma must be true and she wouldn’t be well adjusted and would definitely be weird. Throughout that year God kept placing homeschooled parents or kids in my path. I started to see how normal (better than normal) they were and I remember thinking, “ok God, I hear you! I’ll consider it!” I came back and asked Mia why she wanted this, and she said some things about not having to wait around for other kids to finish their work and being able to go at her own pace. We started it out as a trial for 6th grade and agreed to just take every year as it came, but now it’s not anything we can imagine changing. We start every year with open hands for whatever God has for us, but for now, this is our life and we love it!
Our Reasons for Homeschooling:
1. More time with our kids
I remember when Mia was in public school and even though we didn’t do a ton of extra-curricular activities I just never felt like there was enough time! She would get home, do her homework, we would have dinner and then it was bedtime. I remember thinking, when am I supposed to teach her to do chores? When am I supposed to teach her about Jesus and have multiple conversations with her? It wasn’t possible. Now we are able to fit all of those things in our day easily!
2. Keeping the important things important
We love having the ability to choose what is important. In New York there are a lot of homeschool regulations, so I do have to report on what the kids are learning and the grades they are getting. Even with that, we get to choose what matters. Being a kind person, having a personal relationship with Jesus, being able to make someone feel important, those things matter to me more than grades. I am thankful they don’t have the pressure that happens at public school to learn for the test and focus on their grades and test scores.
3. Flexibility
I love not having to go along with any schedule other than ours!! Knowing our kids and what time of day they work best has made a huge difference. Being able to take vacations or go to the library when public school is in session is a huge perk!!
4. Choosing curriculum
Not every kid learns the same way. Being able to tailor our curriculum to what our kids need has been amazing! In the same way, being able to switch gears when something isn’t working has been great.
5. Learning to enjoy our kids
I didn’t expect how much I would learn to actually enjoy my kids through this process. Enjoy spending every single day with them and watching their personalities develop! Of course we have our tough days and seasons but I love being able to have such a huge hand in shaping who they are!
6. The relationship between the kids
This is one of the things that people have commented on the most since we have started homeschooling. The relationship our kids have with each other, being each other’s best friends and playmates has been so fun to watch! They support each other, count on each other and just enjoy being together (most of the time)!
7. The extra time
On average a child spends around 1,200 hours in school every year. I love that we get to have that time back!
8. The conversations
So many times I end up having conversations with the kids that would have never happened if they were at public school. As Mia is learning about different events in history or reading books in literature we can have discussions over the morals and how it relates to her life. It’s such a blessing!
9. Life skills
When I teach life skills right along with book lessons it makes me feel like they’re getting what they need. They’re at the grocery store comparing prices, watching us do our taxes, learning about gardening and caring for animals, and watching how we do life together.
10. Christian curriculum
Choosing curriculum that weaves Christianity in (or rather doesn’t take it out) has been so fun. So many things that I missed from going to public school I am re-learning with my kids. Talking about how everything relates back to God is a huge part of our homeschool life!
Should you homeschool?
This decision is so specific to each family. If it’s something you’re considering I would research your options, pray about it and seek God’s wisdom for your family, and try it out! Nothing says it has to be forever.
Looking for a way to plan your week more intentionally? Check out my Simple, Effective Planning System!
Do you have different reasons for homeschooling? Let me know in the comments what you would add!
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