Why We Homeschool

Someone is hosting Back to Homeschool Week and I hope to participate, although I'm already a day behind.

The first day's question is What Led to Your Decision to Homeschool?

Here are the thoughts I typed out back in Feb. 2007 when we made the decision to keep Meredith home for kindergarten (and Margaret home for preschool) instead of sending them to private school, as has always been our intention.

Why are the Lamberts going to homeschool?

1) Our #1 priority is a strong, close family. We feel that a family needs to spend lots of time together to achieve that. Being in a school setting keeps the children away from the parents for the majority of the day and the siblings from each other. We know lots of families that have both a strong family and send their kids to school, but we want to try this first.

2) We want to be fully in charge of what our children are learning and when they learn it.

3) We want school work to be done early in the day so that the rest of the day is free for extracurricular activities, play, and family. If the family is apart for most of the day, then the number of outside activities must be limited and homework takes precedence over play.

4) A side benefit to homeschooling is not having to deal with the gluten-free diet in the school environment. Esp. in kindergarten, where there is a kitchen in the classroom and pasta day, muffins with mom, donuts with dad, etc. I will have less to worry about. My children can learn how to cook healthy food that they can eat.

There is really more to it than that though. I just want to keep my girls home. I enjoy being around them and I enjoy learning along with them (there is so much to learn that I missed along the way). We already have a wonderful group of homeschooled friends. These are families with priorities and values like ours. I also like the freedom that comes with homeschooling. I don't want to rush every morning trying to get everyone ready and out the door. We want to take vacations when it best suits our family's schedule, not a school schedule. I want my girls to learn how to take care of a home (i.e., chores). Also, I think my girls will be happier being taught at home. I want learning to be fun, because learning IS fun! It isn't a competition to see who can get the best grade on a test or who is smarter than someone else.

Anyway, that's why we are homeschooling and I'm looking forward to starting next week!

Comments

[Tricia]

I understand about the diet. My dd is fatally allergic to all dairy. I didn't even mentioned that as a reason in my Why Do We Homeschool post because I've kinda forgotten.

It has become such a seamless part of our lifestyle at home, that I forget what a nightmare it would be if she were in school.

And I also agree about family. My dd's are each others best friends and I wouldn't have it any other way.

[Rebecca]

This is off topic, but I notice you have a couple of Sara Groves albums in your sidebar. Sara Groves' maiden name is Sara Colbaugh and I went to college with her (she was class queen every year.) Her dad was our campus pastor. I didn't know her personally except as an acquaintance, but she often performed on campus -- I really enjoyed her unaffected voice and her simple folksy singer-songwriter style. So I can sort of say " I knew her when..."

[Anne]

Next week?!?!

By jingo, were I homeschooling, we'd start the Tuesday after Labor Day like the good Lord intended.

You rebel, you. =8^o

[Kimmie]

Love your reasons...thanks for sharing. I pray that God richly bless you and yours as you follow Him.

blessings
Kimmie
mama to 6
one homemade and 5 adopted
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