Our Decision to Homeschool

Many of you already know, but some may not, that Erik and I have made the decision to homeschool Alex for kindergarten next year.  We may do it for much longer than that, possibly all the way up through high school -- but we're focusing on one year for now, to see how it goes.  We plan on being flexible each year in determining what will work best for Alex and for the rest of our family, and we will make changes if necessary.


This past weekend, I was able to attend a homeschooling convention in Harrisburg, where I was able to listen to several different speakers on a variety of homeschooling topics.  Many of the workshops suggested I take the time to write down WHY I want to do this (because there are some days when I probably WON'T feel like doing it, and I'll need to reread my reasons as a reminder to keep going!)  So I thought I would share this with all of you so you know where we're coming from.


I do feel I need to issue a disclaimer to my other Mommy friends who may be reading this: We aren't homeschooling because we feel that it is best for all families.  We don't feel that there is anything wrong with sending your kids to public school.  So please understand, we're doing what is best for US, and we don't feel that our decision is better or worse than any one else's, it just our choice.  I hope that makes sense.  Erik and I are both certified public school teachers, and I am a product of 13 years of public schooling, and we are semi-intelligent adults, I think.  But it's not the choice that we, as parents, are making for our kids.


So after thinking, praying, and researching for the past several months, here are the reasons I have come up with to homeschool.  


1.  I am a teacher.  Teaching is what I knew I wanted to do way back in my own elementary school days.  I could easily wait until the boys are school age, send them to school, and then go back to teaching.  But why would I want to spend the day teaching 30 other kids when I can teach my own?  Even though there are days when I don't feel like being around them all the time, I much prefer the company of my own little boys than a room full of sweaty middle schoolers.


2.  The time I have with my boys is short.  Okay, this is a selfish reason.  Sure, you can ask me on any given day of the week if I would like a few hours away from the kids, and my answer would most likely be YES.  But in general, I'm not ready to send them off all day, every day.  I was always one to wish the baby stage away.  And still, I don't miss it.  I'm just not a baby person, and those days were HARD.  But as my kids get older, I appreciate them more and more, and I am in love with them and all that they are learning and becoming each day.  I know that these years are short, and once they are gone, I will never get them back.  I want to hold onto them as long as possible.

3.  I can teach to the boys' individual levels.  Having been a classroom teacher, I know that teachers try their absolute best to challenge the kids that need a push as well as help those who are struggling.  But with 25 or more students, it is a really, really hard job.  When working with just 2, I should be able to give them what they need.  If they are ready to skip something they already know, great.  If they need to spend a few more days on a topic, no problem.  It's all about meeting them where they are and helping them to grow.  Incidentally, we will be starting Alex on first grade math curriculum in the fall, and halfway through a kindergarten reading program.  I honestly believe that I could plop him down in a kindergarten classroom now -- at the end of the year -- and he wouldn't be behind the other kids there.  I would hate to put him in school and have him sit through things he already knows.  Why not keep him going and let him learn at his own pace?

4.  I love the flexibility.  Maybe we want to go to the park in the morning because it's a beautiful day.  Maybe we want to surprise Daddy at school because it's his birthday.  Maybe we're having a tired morning and just want to snuggle up and read a ton of books.  We can do any of that.  With homeschooling, we can set our own schedule and pretty much do what our hearts desire.  Maybe we'll do some school work in the morning, maybe we'll do some after dinner. Maybe we'll take a week off to go visit relatives.  I LOVE the idea of not having to get them up early, dressed and fed, and rushed out the door to school every morning.  We can choose our curriculum.  We can go on field trips on any day we want to.  The opportunities are endless.


5.  I want to be the greatest influence in my kids' lives.  (Well, Erik too).  I'm not trying to shelter them from society.  I'm not trying to keep them away from public school kids.  I just feel that my husband and I are the examples we want our kids to follow (we try to be, anyway!)  I can't imagine we would be the greatest influences for them if they spend more of their time away from us than they do with us.  Plus, I can incorporate values education according to our personal beliefs.


Many people have misconceptions about the social aspects of homeschooling.  They think that kids "need socialization", that they need to be in a room with 25 other kids (where they're supposed to be listening to the teacher and not talking anyway) to become "socialized".  That is simply not true.  First of all, Alex has friends and will continue to see those friends, and hopefully find some new homeschooled friends.  Secondly, we are fortunate to live in an area where there are a lot of groups/clubs/educational opportunities for homeschoolers.  


And you know what?  When I think back to my school years, sure, I had friends and liked being involved in activities.  But as far as the "social order" of school went, I hated it.  In school, you are immediately given a label, and it sticks with you for a long time.  You don't just socialize with everyone, you socialize with those who are in the teeny tiny box that the rest of the class has placed you in.  I was teased often in school.  I was the subject of gossip and judgment on a daily basis.  That isn't really the kind of socialization I want for my kids.


I guess for the most part, we just love and cherish these 2 perfect little boys tremendously.  I believe we are the best possible parents for them -- which, in my mind, makes us the perfect educators for them.  They are two valuable and precious to me to leave their emotional and intellectual development up to strangers.  Again, I'm not saying that it's wrong to do that -- obviously, that's what most people do -- but we are doing what's best for us.  At least for now, I believe that God is calling me to continue making teaching my children my full time job, as it has been for almost 5 years now.