We have been homeschooling since the fall of 2005. I was the poster child for "I will NEVER do that to my kids!" until God poked and a friend spent a morning with me listening to all my "but what about--?"s...and here I sit, with two sons in college and two more still doing math and science at the kitchen table. I have always said the worst day homeschooling (and there are worst days, believe me) will always be better than the best day I spent working full time outside my home. While there is much to tell about the adventures along the way (I've just given myself two future blog posts just in this paragraph), today, Monday January 7, 2013, I love homeschooling because:
*I got to take care of my 13 year old son, who is sick. Not sick enough to stay in bed all day, but sick enough to hang out in his jammies on the couch. We read 100 pages of "To Kill a Mockingbird" and discussed themes of prejudice and integrity. He also did Bible and worked on his report on famous explorers. He drank herbal tea and stayed warm and rested.
*We needed to ease back into routine after Christmas break. My 9 year old and I snuggled and read a book about Hernan Cortes and the Aztec empire. He played a multiplication game online and wrote out times tables. We read Charlotte's Web (NEVER get tired of that book!)--again, snuggled up. He started a reconstruction project in the backyard. He declared school wasn't that bad and he's ready to start back up again :-)
*I got to spend a quiet day with these boys of mine. Yes, there are frantic days of whining over tests and frustration over having to rewrite a paragraph one more time; there are tired days after late or poorly slept nights; there are days where I have to spend more time addressing character than academics. But today was just smooth and serene, taking things slowly and enjoying time spent together learning at home.
Tomorrow there will be different reasons I love homeschooling. And...that's why I love homeschooling!
I have not ONE regret about Emma attendibg PA Cyber School at home for grades 10-12....eccept that we didn't do it from Day 1 of her education. She graduates from a high profile, private women's college in VA this May. When she was shopping colleges, they fought over her because as a cyber school student they recognized shecwas primed to succeed in a college environment due to self motivation and independent study skills. I believe home schooling and cyber school is the future of quality, safe, education for our children. They will always be a need for brick and mortar schools, and cluster home schools due to working parents, specisl needs, ect., but overall, schooling in a home environment is less expensive, higher quality, and oh do much safer than the public educational sytem in place today. My daughter iscwell rounded, athletic, independent, smart, confident, and blessed with friends who go back as far as age 4!! NO REGRETS AT ALL.
ReplyDeleteLove it and completely agree!
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