*****Please note that there are days where I will post more than once. So, to find out all the latest happenings and "goings-on" in our family (or my random thoughts), be sure to scroll down.*****

Monday, March 14, 2011

Why Do You Homeschool?

Last week I posted our weekly review, and I received this anonymous comment…    Hi....I actually was doing some online research for an assignment I have when I bumped into your blog online....congrats!it looks like you're doing a good job with your kids.....but I was wondering....I meen this the second blog I read ...both blogs have educated stay-home moms homeschooling their kids...my question and curiosity is in Why do you guys homeschool your children ....I'm new to North America,and I'm wondering why do people choose to homeschool their kids??? Good luck at it anyway...
So, without further ado, here are a few reasons why we chose to homeschool our children.
1)  God placed it in our hearts to homeschool before we ever had children.  The church we attended when we were first married had several homeschooling families, and we were very intrigued.  Soon after, we were convinced that this was the route we would take with educating our future children.
2) I was a public school teacher for 8 years, and every year the system went downhill.  Now, I’m not referring to the school systems where I taught; however, the education system as a whole kept changing.  Even more so now than ever, I don’t think you could pay me enough to teach in a public school…much less send my children there for an education.  There’s not enough one-on-one time, and so many children fall through the cracks because there’s just not enough time to help “little Johnny” catch up to his peers.
3)  Brian and I want to be responsible for what our children learn.  We want to instill the facts in them, and we want to be able to teach them at THEIR level and in THEIR style of learning.  All children learn differently, and homeschooling allows us the option to choose how best to teach our children.  A public school doesn’t get that freedom…teachers are bound by state and county laws/regulations that tell them which curriculum to use…there’s no choice.
4) Now that we know that Caleb has Tourette’s Syndrome, it’s more important that we school him at home.  Yes, he could function in a public school setting; however, we all know how cruel children can be.  We do not want him to face ridicule or judgment for an issue that he has no control over.  Nor do we want to have him “hide his tics” in a public setting in order to avoid said ridicule/judgment.  Will he avoid all ridicule and judgment just because we homeschool him?  Of course not, but we are in smaller environments where he (and we) can share his issues with those who will be understanding.
5)   Homeschooling allows us more freedom and flexibility with our schedules.  We are able to school year-round (by choice), and this allows us to school 4 days per week for 45 weeks a year.  We’re able to enjoy many social and educational experiences with this flexible schedule.  One of the biggest misperceptions of homeschoolers is that they lead sheltered and unsocial lives…well, that couldn’t be further from the truth in today’s society.  We have so many social activities to choose from that we have to learn to say “NO” and pick/choose only those that we feel will be most beneficial. 
In summary, I think this statement best sums up our choice to homeschool…
"The idea of learning acceptable social skills in a school is as absurd to me as learning nutrition from a grocery store."
~ Lisa Russell

So, there you have it Anonymous.  That’s why we chose homeschool for our children.  Now, for all of you other homeschoolers…why did YOU choose to homeschool?
***Please note that I am in no way bashing public or private schools.  Brian and I both grew up going to public school, and we’re both fine individuals.  However, our choice for OUR boys is homeschool.  We’re blessed and thankful to have the opportunity to make that choice, and we feel it is what’s right for our family.  That’s my big motto…you have to do what is BEST for YOUR family.***

4 comments:

Shelley said...

The BIGGEST reason we home school is because my husband and I both had very bad school experiences. I was horrendously ridiculed and made fun of to the point that it forever changed who I am... or was. I do not want anyone chipping away at my child's self esteem. That is the biggest reason.

Smaller reasons would be

-because I don't want the government indoctrinating my children. Adolf Hitler was said to have stated if he had control of the textbooks, he'd have control of future generations.

-because the best learning a child can do is with his parents. If I send my child to a school for 7 hours a day, then he's learning what the teacher and the textbooks teach him - not my beliefs and values.

-because building a child's character is the most important trait there is. Intelligence, Wisdom - these are nothing without character. A little intellect can go a long way when you have a lot of character.

One thing that is not a reason is how intelligent they'll be. I think a kid can go to school, public or private and come out just as smart as he would have at home - so long as the parents are actively a part of their education. So, it isn't for their learning - that's the least of the reasons.

As a Christian I look to the Bible for how we should live. The disciples didn't go off to school and then come to Jesus to work with Him. No. They walked and talked with Jesus daily. They spent 24 hours a day 7 days a week with Him. Why? Because He could best teach them, and lead them in the ways of God- better than any schools of that day. Remember - the disciples were ignorant and unlearned... but what they knew and learned from Jesus made them wiser than anyone else alive in their day...

That's why we home school.

Mrs. M said...

Love how you address and answer these questions - I am all for education of our children, in the best manner for each family. So glad you have the option to homeschool!

Marty said...

I love this post.
Homeschooling is work, but it is also rewarding.
My three are all teenagers now, and I'm so glad we homeschooled. It wasn't always easy, but now I wouldn't change it for anything.
Great post!

Erin Branscom said...

Love your blog! :) I became a follower! Great tips! Erin

www.healthbranscoms.com

Post a Comment

Hey you! Yes, you...the one staring at the computer screen. I know you have something to say, so go ahead...just write what's on your mind. :) We all know that writing is good for the soul, and what better way than to leave a comment?!!? I promise to do my best to return the favor. :)

 
Blogging tips