The Good, the Bad, and the Ridiculous Reasons I Homeschool My Kids

Homeschooling is in my blood. I was homeschooled myself so it’s pretty much all I’ve known.

But that didn’t stop my blood from running cold as my son’s kindergarten year was fast approaching and the reality of the massive responsibility came crashing in.

“What if I hate having to do ‘school’ again?”

“What if it’s just a never ending battle to get them to do what I tell them to do?”

“What if I ruin their futures?”

That was two years ago. And while the majority of my parenting career has been one swift kick to the pants of my pride, homeschooling has been a smashing success, by the grace of God.

It truly brings me so much joy that I’m kinda in shock. I get all gushy when I think about it.

So whether homeschooling is everything you hoped or a mighty struggle right now, maybe you’ll appreciate some of the serious and not so serious reasons why I have chosen to homeschool…

(In no particular order.)

To avoid the awkwardness of Parent-Teacher conferences, fundraisers, and school dances.

To get a massive smile on my face when I hear the local elementary schoolbell ring in the morning and I’m still in bed.

To relearn all the incredible things myself.

To show my kids how the gospel applies to everything from history to math to housework.

To enjoy intellectual conversations with my kids and watch those “light bulb” moments first hand.

To not have to get three kids ready and out the door ON TIME five days a week (or six if you consider Sunday morning church!)

To have the freedom to sit and cuddle with my kids while we all enjoy a classic novel.

To never really have to do any “back to school” shopping.

To be able to “get ahead” in some areas of interest and skill, while taking extra time and care on each child’s particular difficulties.

To instill character into my kids 24/7.

To have a fighting chance at keeping a smart phone out of my gradeschoolers hands.

To have my child’s vocabulary be stunning, NOT in the vulgar way!

To have the chance to travel during the off season.

To keep the rampant germs at bay.

To do school during the crazy hot summer and take all of December off for Christmas festivities and chaos.

To keep my own mind from becoming stagnant.

To satisfy my secret desire to decorate the whole house with gorgeous bookshelves.

(Here are my favorite books for homeschooling MOMS. Each one is worth reading more than once! Oh, and there’s a FREE printable.)

To raise children who care.

To have children who are socially cultured enough to be comfortable interacting and learning from people outside their own narrow peer group.

To just be able to hang out with my kids more.

To avoid popularity contests.

To be able to snack all day long.

To buck the overbooked and overwhelmed trend and live a simpler life.

To model family relationships and have amble opportunity to practice peacekeeping.

To get to go on every field trip.

To have cherished sibling bonds.

To be able to count almost every aspect of normal life as “school”. (Yes, grocery shopping and paying bills can count as school subjects!)

To be able to avoid the crowds by going out during the week day.

To enjoy pajama pants for a much larger percentage of the day.

 

How about you? Why do you homeschool?