Monday, January 21, 2008

Why Do You Homeschool?

I like to use my grandmother's way of phrasing it when she would tell people we homeschooled..."she's home educating her children." I miss my grandmother.

I know this topic won't appeal to all who visit here but I DO know there are several homeschoolers who visit and comment on a fairly regular basis. So, I'm curious - why do you homeschool? If you're new here - I'd like to hear from you as well.

The funny thing - this is always the question we get. The problem - it's a hard question to answer. There's never an easy answer. For me, in the beginning, I would tell people it all started because my son has a peanut allergy and I didn't trust anyone else with his life. I still answer that way and finish with - "since then, my reasons have grown beyond my ability to answer your question in the time it takes to checkout at Kroger."

So, if you are reading this and you're a homeschooler - take your time and leave me a comment. Why do you homeschool? It's possible your reasons might inspire another to take a leap into the unknown. If it were not for a couple of friends of mine who were already homeschooling I probably would've never thought about it on my own.

Oh - and if I can homeschool - anyone can.

10 comments:

Gen said...

Well, we started homeschooling around 11 years ago because my son's kindergarten teacher didn't get him, and really didn't try. She was too interested in slapping a label on him and threatening us into getting him medicated. But, like you, our reasons have grown and it's hard to list them all.

Just yesterday I was discussing the possibility of my son going to high school for his senior year. Here's what he told me, "Yeah, graduating from high school might make getting to college a little easier, but it won't prepare me to do the work I'll need to do there like homeschooling has. Plus I really don't want to be in that environment. My friends tell me what goes on there, and they're strong enough to resist it, and so am I, but I'd rather not have to resist it."

Proud mama moment there. He's irritating as heck 'cause it's like pulling teeth to get him off the couch and doing his work, but really, he's a pretty solid dude. That's why we homeschool. We're building people with solid character and clear minds. (not that it can't be done with public schooling, but it takes awesome parenting, either way you go.)

R said...

I have a more conservative approach to answering this question:

1. Public school does not offer a godly curriculum, so therefore I feel that it is wrong for me to send my kids to public school.

2. I don't want my kids in public school as well FOR social reasons. He he.

3. My kids frankly have a much better education than they would if they were going to public school.

4. My Oldest son has Asperger's Syndrome and I believe that homeschooling has had a HUGE impact on his behavioral, developmental, and social improvement.

5. I take great interest in what my children learn and I want to see that for myself. I believe that I am capable and intelligent enough to provide an adequate window into education for my children. Granted, I don't know everything, but I encourage my children to research on their own or I will research with them and we will find answers together. Your average public school teacher can not provide this service.

6. My children can learn at their own pace.

7. It is a lifestyle that I admire and wish to continue and sacrifice for.

There are probably other reasons but I am fried at the moment, having just gotten back from Co-op. Thanks for asking, Anne!

Whistle Britches said...

I'm pro-homeschool simply because every family i've ever met that homeschools have raised the BEST kids I've ever met.

The reasons we don't are various and sundry.
I've always wanted to used various and sundry in a sentence and now I promise to never do it again.

Suzy-Q said...

Wow I didn't know Groovy Mom and R homeschooled.... I must have missed that post somewhere.

I am always glad to see parents homeschool. It is a way to make sure your kids are getting the education they need to make it in the world. It is a way to bond with their teacher/parent in a way that is priceless, and who would trade that??

I would love to home school our kids, but like Joe said it is all cause of "various" and "sundry".

Anonymous said...

Does because God told me to suffice? He has revealed to me in more than one way that this is what is best for Rosie. A lot of people feel that homeschooling a special needs child is a mistake, but Rosie is thriving in a way that I know for certain would never be possible in a public school setting. :o)

Jenn said...

Someone homeschooled me to be contrary over public schooling and later to get my 40 hour a week paycheck when I was 15 years old until I moved away at 18. Oh, and two younger sisters paychecks too.

Sad.

Whistle Britches said...

anne, go to my blog and click on the link for Bryan who's got a video of a homeschooling mother and her opinions on a few things.

thankyouverymuch.

R said...

I will name you

Sings with Beauty

or

Brings Down House

Be silly and leave a comment on my blog about this craziness..

Jenn said...

I'm making a Happy Birthday card on my blog. Come and leave a note!

Anonymous said...

I know of reasons to do it and reasons not. obviously in my situation, I can't because I am a single parent and have to work. I don't really know of any single parents who have the luxury of homeschooling unless they are being subsidized by uncle sam.

The reason I would WANT to would be similar to groovy mom, where most teachers just don't get kids who are different and don't want to deal with them. They want little robots who all learn the same, and that really bugs me.

But on the other hand, I don't know if I would do it even if I could, so I don't know what I am trying to say