Why Homeschooling Was the Right Fit for Our Family

Homeschooling is becoming more popular and experiencing a growth rate of about 7 to 15 percent each year. According to the U.S. Department of Education, the number of kids being homeschooled has risen 74 percent over the past 10 years. Apparently a large number of families are seeing the positive benefits of homeschooling their own children.

We have homeschooled our children, as well as some other family's children, since 2004. Seeing that there were problems at the private school where our kids were attending, we decided that it was best to bring them home and begin homeschooling them. At first, it seemed like such a great idea, but we were not ready for the challenges of homeschooling our kids.

Expectations of Homeschooling Meet Practical Application

Like I said, we were pumped about the concept of homeschooling our kids. They were still young, just in the third and fifth grades at the time we pulled them from private school, but they were probably more excited than we were. We started by trying to assess the right curriculum and the task was daunting. There were so many choices and we had no experience or standard by which to judge a good curriculum from a bad curriculum.

At this point, being very frustrated and overwhelmed, we decided to do two things. First, we called everyone we knew who was either homeschooling or knew a family who was homeschooling. We got on the phone, met a few families, and took copious notes. Next, we joined a local homeschooling cooperative, This group is a clearing house for new and used homeschool materials, books, and curriculum. A veritable treasure trove of material and information.

Getting Used to Being Around One Another All the TimeWas Difficult at First

This was probably the most difficult obstacle for all of us to face. We were all used to doing our own thing, working jobs or going to school, and not being together except for a brief period in the morning, dinner at night, and some of the weekends. When we brought the kids home to homeschool, we were all together in the same house all day long.

At times, there was literally no where in the house where any of us could go to be alone. Each of us always knew someone else was in the house. Now, we all like to be around one another, but this was getting a bit too cozy. Everyone needs some privacy some of the time. It took about a year, but we all got used to it, learned about boundaries and personal space. Now, it's something we have all come to like. When one of us is missing, there is a palpable sense that a key piece of our family is missing.

Educational, Emotional, and Physical Freedom is a Huge, Positive Benefit of Homeschooling.

Once we got past the first year, things began to go more smoothly each year thereafter. Keeping to a schedule was the hardest but most beneficial thing we did for homeschool. Once we got used to a regular schedule, the rest came relatively easy. There was the freedom to choose what we wanted our kids to study, and even they were able to have some input.

There was the emotional freedom for the kids since they had no peer pressure, no bullies, or competition-they were free to learn as fast as they wanted. But the best of all is the physical freedom. As a family, we are not tied down to a schedule. On very short notice, we can get in the minivan and go anywhere, anytime of year. If we're going on a long trip, we take the school with us.

For our family, homeschooling was a great solution for everything we needed educationally, emotionally, and spiritually. The time we have spent together as a family has been glorious. Sure, we have had our problems as well, like any family. But these years at home with my family have been some of the most memorable and precious for me. Homeschool may not be for everyone, and it may be a difficult transition for some families, but for us, it was the right solution at just the right time.

Sources:

The Heritage Foundation; Homeschooling Sees Dramatic Rise in Popularity

Family Education; The Pros and Cons of Homeschooling

Homeschooling-Ideas.com; Homeschooling pros and Cons