I was never a proponent of home schooling. In fact, I was the skeptical one, wondering how healthy it could really be for children. Aren’t homeschooled kids misfits? What about socialization?
I thought it’d be best for my daughter to learn from a variety of teachers who have different strengths than to teach her myself. I was planning to go back to work once she was old enough to get on the school bus. It all seemed so ideal. My hours would be the same as hers. The three of us would do our own things during the day and we’d be together as a family after school and work. Isn’t that what everybody did?
Then one day while browsing the lending library at a local playgroup, a book caught my eye, Why Homeschooling Makes Sense. I didn’t have any other particular parenting book to search for at the time, so I thought this would be an interesting read. I honestly wanted to know why people taught their kids at home.
To my surprise, the more I read, the more convinced I became that homeschooling was a wise and practical option to consider. It seemed like the perfect fit for our lifestyle and values. Then I went to a parenting talk at our library and the woman leading the discussion was asked, “What is one thing you wish you had done differently as a parent?” She immediately said, “I would have homeschooled.” Maybe it was a coincidence, but my heart was telling me homeschooling was the right choice for me. I decided to change plans. Don’t go back to work to teach other people’s children, but instead give my daughter my time and attention.
My top reasons for choosing to homeschool my daughter:
1. Children learn best from those with whom they have a loving, trusting relationship.
2. We’d have flexibility and choice in everything we do, including curriculum, schedule, and environment. What better way to meet the individual needs of a child!
3. We’d be together. I’d get to see what she is learning every day and witness her amazing development.
And some personal benefits for me include being mentally challenged, growing in new ways and learning right along with her.
We’re in our ninth year of homeschooling. I wouldn’t change it for the world!
