Why We Chose to Homeschool

Before my kids were born, I was an elementary school teacher. I absolutely loved teaching. I felt

that school was a magical, fun place to be. Had I been asked about homeschooling while still teaching, I

would have said that only people who want to isolate their kids would homeschool and that it would ruin the kids socially. I felt that “school” was a must for learning the ways of the world, how to get along with others and how to problem-solve.

I quit teaching the day my first child was born in order to be a stay-at-home mom. We didn’t do preschool. My husband and I felt that was a waste of time, money and family life. I was a member of a local Moms Club and we did plenty socializing through play dates, park days, swimming days, and numerous, numerous outings and I could teach him anything he needed to know.

I was so excited when my oldest started Kindergarten. We’d be back in the fun school setting. He had fun in Kindergarten but our family life began to suffer. We were tied to the school’s schedule. We could only go on outings on the weekends when the rest of the world went. Places we wanted to go were overly crowded and outings became more stressful than relaxing and fun.

First grade was worse. It was all day. My son was gone 7 hours a day. Our mornings were rush, rush, rush. Instead of enjoyable evenings as a family, we now had to contend with homework and getting the kids to bed early so we could start all over again tomorrow. I hated how school had taken control of our lives.

My son began picking up behaviors from school that we did not approve of. He began thinking of his little sister as someone he isn’t supposed to like because she’s younger and is his sister not a “real” friend. Peers became his

mentors instead of adults. I found that my natural joy for teaching the kids things changed.

Time with my preschool-aged children was magical. We found interest in nearly everything we came in contact with – bugs, puddles, trees, mud, stars, etc. When it came time for public school, I

found myself not delving into things as we once did for fear of teaching my kids too much and then they being bored with school whenever it was finally taught in school or would become a nuisance to the teacher for knowing too much. I thought I was helping them out by not teaching them too much

but now I see it as “dumbing them down” (not expanding on things that were interesting to them at the time and waiting for the teacher to do it when it is “time” to learn it in school which might not have been when my child was interested in it).

About that time, I joined a Yahoo group which happened to have a lot of homeschoolers in it. I be

gan asking questions and researching on the Internet. I discovered that homeschooling wasn’t what I has imagined it to be all these years. Sure, there are those who do isolate their kids but from my research it appeared that there were lots and lots and lots who didn’t. I was so surprised to find that anyone can do it. I didn’t know that I had the option. I thought it was only allowed for those with religious reas

ons.

I found that many homeschool parents were people li

ke me, who loved learning, going places and spending time as a family. Homeschooling was the answer I was looking for. This was the lifestyle I was after.

Most everyone I spoke to thought I was crazy. They asked, “What about socialization?” The only answer I had at the time was based on our life before the kids were in school. We did lots of outings and played a lot with friends. We weren’t lacking

anything then so why would that be different now? I’d join local

homeschooling groups and we could make new friends there.

It was a very scary decision. What if I was wrong and messed the kids’ whole lives up? What if I couldn’t do it? It turned out to be the best decision ever!

Life is filled with excitement again. Learning is alive! We participate daily in the real world and enjoy it. We can do things spur of the moment and follow whatever our interest is that day. Socialization is not a problem. Our life without school has made our lives much more our lives. We chose what we want to do and have the time to do it. We are not told what to do and how to do it anymore.We are not stressed or rushed. We enjoy each other’s company. We do what we want when we want. The kids are best friends. We get plenty of sleep and we have quality family time again! It’s the family lifestyle we always dreamed of but didn’t know it was possible with school aged children. We’re so glad we discovered it!

Life without school has given us back FAMILY, FREEDOM, TIME and FUN.