Homeschool is an option!

The number of home schoolers has gone up by 500% in the last 10 years. Many of the early concerns have been unfounded.

I'm guilty! I have viewed home schooling as a choice for "overprotective parents who don't give their child an opportunity to make friendships or learn to stand on their own two feet...instead, keeping them at home milking the goats and taking care of their other 10 children." :) OK, maybe that is an exaggeration! But, I never felt like it was a choice FOR ME. Until last year... 

I read a few things that opened my mind to home schooling and I began to see the joy, the sweetness and the blessing of being in the position where it would be possible to home school my children. 

DISCLAIMER: I DO not think EVERYONE should home school. I don't think you are a "bad" parent if you don't home school. It was just a choice for us that felt right and is feeling "righter" all the time. 

Israel going off to his first day at the co-op & Bella to preschool

So, if you are like me and always viewed home schooling negatively, here is a small list of reasons why I enjoy it so much:

1. Spending time together. (My love language!)

2. Teaching my son to read (there was nothing more satisfying than hearing him read his first book!)

3. Being in charge of our families schedule (we do school very regularly - I'm a scheduled person - but, if we are super busy and miss one day...I'm not stressing!)

4. Having the time to take part in extracurricular activities (my son regularly attends basketball, library story time, Awana, Sunday school, swimming lessons, as well as a two day a week co-op school day) - adding music lessons, hopefully, this fall.

5. Ability to adjust teaching in response to his needs, interests & giftings. (no need to teach to the middle of the class)

Our homeschool classroom - on GRAND OPENING DAY!

6. Choosing out of the thousands of wonderful curriculum options. You will be overwhelmed when you see the myriads of options out there. It is no longer a "go it alone" program. There are play groups, support groups, teaching co-ops, school-like co-ops with real teachers, or extracurricular schooling options. It is unbelievable and overwhelming. 

This is where I go to find curriculum - they research each curriculum they offer and give very detailed explanations. Their catalog looks like the Chicago phone book!! 

Rainbow Resources

7. Instilling a teachable spirit  - That can only help them as they grow older and need to trust our guidance.

8. Schoolrooms are made for girls (I LOVED THEM!!). I love workbooks and writing, and sitting still in a desk. Boys don't! They need to move. They need to learn with their hands on a project. Boys learn differently - educators know that, and they also know boys are not thriving in schools - so instead of blaming the boys (since they are MADE by God to function this way) - the system (we) need to change. 

9. Education that doesn't take a back seat to teachers salaries. (We are in one of the top school districts in America, yet, our school could not take the kids on more than one field trip per year (with the parents footing the bill). And, a minimum of 30 kids per class. Why am I paying $3000 a year to our school district alone?!) I can't imagine how schools function in poorer areas. 

10. My ownership of his education makes me a more "plugged in parent" - I'm not giving this responsibility to someone else. 

11. SPRING BREAK - we don't have to schedule our vacations or life around school. School revolves around our life.

12. Since school begins later (after Labor Day) - you can wait until school supplies go on sale to begin purchasing your supplies and the kids still get their NEW STUFF for the first day of school. 

Seriously, this is the last one...but, I could go on and on!

13. I have my son in a two-morning a week co-op. They have a field trip every month. They have socials. They have gym (my son's favorite class! :), they offer all the things you want in a school...yet, on a smaller scale. Love it!

 

A few great links, if you are thinking of homeschooling:
About.com - homeschool blog is CHOCK FULL of great info! You could get lost in there!
http://homeschooling.about.com/

Focus on the Family section of helpful articles and advice on homeschooling:
Focus on the Family Homeschooling


Do you know if you live in the city of Chicago, you can enroll in an online quality education for FREE? (kindergarten - 12th grade)
www.k12.com

And, if you are looking for GOBS of great resources, check out this top 10 list of homeschooling websites - each website is fantastic! Enjoy!
http://www.homeschooltopsites.com/

Just found this little tidbit: In People magazine, Tom Cruise & Katie Holmes are believers (in home schooling) :)

"...they've also decided to homeschool daughter Suri, 4. She has a teacher who is with her every day," says mom. We like the one-on-one education."

If you are doing hours of homework each night with your child, you ARE home schooling. If you wish it could be different...it can! Consider home schooling your child...it's not your grandmother's home school!