Top 10 Reasons That I Homeschool

I originally wrote up a top 10 list about a year ago but I wanted to update it to reflect our changing needs, desires, values, etc.

My list will continue to change over time, but here is the current top ten reasons in no particular order. I wrote this out before we were expecting number two so clearly this will need to be updated to reflect both of my children when the second arrives!

1. I love planning, being flexible, and being responsible for his curriculum based on his learning styles and needs.

2. Less "classroom" time, homeschoolers tend to cover more educational material in a shorter period of time than schools because of the one on one ratio and being able to focus on the child. No being held back or falling behind because of the 30 other children in the school classroom.

3. I love that I can protect his innocence better, I have seen what kids his age are exposed to and I don't like a lot of it. So many people think that little kids swearing and talking about sex is CUTE. Yes, that talk comes out of kindergartners - and younger!

4. I don't have to worry about the very real threat of bullies. I was a girl and I had a hard enough time with them because of my size (being so small) I know it would be harder for boys who are small.

5.
There are a lot more opportunities for fun learning through plenty of field trips and other hands-on learning projects. These types of learning events tend to stick better than classic book and instruction learning because that is how we as people learn naturally, though experience and the five senses.

6. More time together, and more quality time at that. No rushed mornings trying to get to school on time, no rushed afternoons trying to squeeze everything in after school and around a bunch of sports.

7. Moral teachings: I am glad to be the one to teach him morals and values, which includes tolerance, kindness, and fairness. I don't want some stranger and certainly not the state teaching morals to my child!

8. Fun socialization: homeschooling groups, sports, clubs, etc.
This is especially important since most schools are cutting back on Physical Education, Music and Art programs due to funding issues. 

Not trying to socialize when he should be learning, and not learning socialization through bullying and fashion wars. Spending time with people of all ages and learning how to socialize with many more age groups than just his own.

9. No "back to school rush" - no shopping like mad to get a new wardrobe in a week, no getting all the supplies on the class list at one time, etc. Buy as necessary, when everyone else is in school and the stores are not packed.

10. No state standardized tests!! I've seen what my stepdaughter has gone through, getting stress headaches and more. She says the school nurse says they are always swamped that time of year. 


Why all the stress? The schools and teachers get more pay if the kids score higher. Also the schools spend up to SIX MONTHS a year studying JUST to pass that test. Complete craziness. My boy will be studying to learn, not spit out information to benefit the school. It will be for his benefit - as it should be. My son is not a dollar sign.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Yes, yes, yes! Thank you for expressing this so eloquently.

Unknown said...

Thank you! :)

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