Chris and I were at the movies last night, (the new Star Trek which I loved by the way). Ten minutes in there was some cooky preview for a Google movie, including the ever-present socially awkward young adult that was unable to do even the most simple of social tasks, like shaking hands. Of course, he then said, “I was homeschooled by my mom.”
Over my short time being one of those moms, I’ve grown a thick skin about the jokes made at our expense, and so chuckled along with the audience. I get it. Maybe. See, I know a whole host of people who were homeschooled, and now are well-adjusted, confident, focused, highly successful adults having families of their own. I don’t know any “mal-adjusted” homeschoolers, but I know they exist. Just like mal-adjusted public schoolers exist.
This post is not a debate. But we are often asked what homeschooling is like, why we like it, how we do it. So in celebration of the end of the year, I figured I’d let you into our daily world a little bit. It isn’t nearly so hard or overwhelming or weird as some might think…
But first
Know this: By sharing how we do things as a family, I am not condemning your way of doing things. I don’t think homeschooling is a silver bullet for good parenting. I don’t think it is right for every family. And I certainly know some parents cannot stay home with their kids cause of work or finances or school. I don’t home school because I think teachers are inept – far from it. And I won’t even say homeschooling will always be what we do. I am not one of those moms who wants to keep her babies home with her as long as possible. Goodness knows there are days I wish I could escape from the tedious task of mommyhood. But ultimately I believe that this is a journey for me, as well as my kids, and I have as much to learn and gain as they do.
But I do think families should contemplate it…if even for an instance.
Homeschooling Means for Us:
Unrushed breakfasts followed by a few chores.
Math lessons happen at the kitchen table. Sometimes together, sometimes not.
And sometimes we are learning to read with a headlamp on…
Science experiments can happen in our garden.
Or our learning happens in the car…on the way to Moab on a climbing trip. 🙂
There is plenty of time for me to coach them on character areas: patience, sharing, kind words, a love for learning, humility, perseverance, loving your family, forgiveness… these things are of infinite importance.
We have field trips every month with a whole host of our friends!
And lots of recess!
And recess on the ski hill.
And recess on the rock.
I love the extra time I get to invest in the character of my kids. I love that I know what and how they are learning and can bring it along on every hike, grocery trip or bike ride. I love the infinite flexibility as we are almost always on-the-go. That is why I love home schooling.
I’d love to hear your thoughts! What does and doesn’t work for your family?
Good story. If I had multiple kids I would definitely consider it. Harder with just one child. I have no doubt your kids will grow up to be very productive members of society, well adjusted, and full of great strength.
Yeah. I am an only child and if I has only one kid I’d probably not homeschool as well!
I have one kid and we homeschool April through December so that he can ski all winter. Age-wise, he is in grade 6 but he is almost finished grade 7 and will be starting grade 8 in September. He is also taking community college and open university courses on-line. Is he bored sometime… of course! He’s a kid but he mtn bikes and trail runs and has a whole group of friends at a variety of ages that he does those things with. He takes parkour and trampoline classes. And he has a couple of close buddies in his Primary class. He’s happy, busy, active and doing just fine. Will we homeschool right through, probably not, but for now it is working well. Homeschooling a single means you have to work harder in other areas. My hat is off to those who teach a multitude of kids at home or in a school settling… its crazy enough with one!
I love hearing your story! We get a lot of questions regarding homeschooling an only child – which certainly has its easier points and harder points. I am an only child and was not homeschooled and even still my folks worked hard to create social communities for me and expose me to different things. Hats off to you!
Excellent words about homeschooling. I homeschool and part of my decision was the well versed and social children in home school I met who knew how to talk to adults about real things… Not many kids do that, and I’ve been around a lot of kids. The adults to some kids are the enemy, but that’s because they’ve been in prison -like school systems their entire life. I love that my children can have a decent conversation with adults and I hope that as I become a teacher in the public school system I will be able to help other children have the same confidence as the homeschooled children I know.
I love this. It is something I go back and forth with all the time as our kids get older. I think it opens up such great possibilities! I just wish we had other families near by that thought the same thing so we could do some sort of co-op 🙂
What a lovely family, and an inspirational post! My kids are roughly the same? or similar age differences as yours- I have a just turned 4 year old, 2 (almost 3!) year old and a 17 month old! I’d love to think I could take on your philosophy of homeschooling when we get there!
Thanks! Always friend meeting a kindred spirit!
Hi. I enjoyed reading this a lot. You make some good points, but there will always be people who doubt or even mock. Ignore them. How can anyone question the start in life you are giving your children? So much quality time, so many character building experiences, and, importantly, you are a reflective mother (family). You are evaluating, weighing things up, and this means you (and will continue to) make well-informed and considered decisions. What more can a parent do? Go for it… keep going for it …and keep the faith in yourself and your parenting values.
Love it! And I love our ‘recess time’ biking, climbing mountains etc…rather than 20 mins on the swings 😉
Honestly I think y kids would be climbing the walls in a classroom all day!
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