because the kids waiting at the bus stop down the street, laden with heavy backpacks, seemed so little
* because it didn’t feel right for my children to be away from me more of their waking hours than they were with me
* because I’m a better mom at the beginning of the day than at the end of it
* because my daughter had spent four years of her life in an institution, and I didn’t want to send her to another one
* because I believe my kids have inner genius, and I want to help them uncover it
* because no one is as committed to their success as I am
* because I want them to have freedom–and extra time in their day to play, to think, to imagine
* because I don’t believe staring out the window longingly during a lesson deserves a punishment–instead, it deserves a break
* because children are not parts on a assembly line–they’re individual souls in need of unique nurturing
* because I am in the privileged and blessed place to consider making this choice
* because the investment I’m making in them will one day reap dividends in the fruit of their lives
* because I cling to that belief on the hard days when it seems I’m making no difference whatsoever
* because I think a month in England makes for better learning than a year at a desk
* because hearts, not minds, most need reaching at this delicate age–and who better to reach hearts than a mom?
* because I am learning just as much as they are, and that’s fun
* because this choice has been the right one…for us
for all these reasons, and many more, we have chosen to homeschool. And I’m thankful to be part of an educational movement that is changing lives and, therefore, impacting the world.
“There is no school equal to a decent home and no teacher equal to a virtuous parent.”
~ Gandhi
A note from Jamie: I come to this topic from a place of celebrating my own choice and my right to make it, not from judging those who have chosen otherwise. Homeschooling is right for us, but not right for everyone. Aren’t we fortunate to have the freedom to choose what is best for our own dear little people?!
Further Reading
* on why I chose stay-at-home motherhood (the original post that inspired this one!)
* I refuse to steal my kids’ dreams (on homeschooling as a social movement)
And you? Why did you choose homeschooling?
Having the ability to watch my kids grow and learn their passions was a big driving factor for me. But, I also have to second the one about seeing such small kids get on the bus. In our area, the public school has a 4 year old program which everyone seems to attend, but watching those parents put their 4 year old on a bus, I couldn’t even imagine it. So instead, we go out and play in the leaves and collect eggs from our chickens, and spend a good deal of time reading….and it works for us.
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Sounds lovely, Heather!
Heather, your house sounds lovely. 🙂
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love this! happy for you!
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So well said and a timely boost for me! Thank you for sharing your thoughts!
This is not a path I plan to choose for my family, but this is beautifully written and I love hearing the perspective of mothers that have a passion for homeschooling.
Thank you! I love when non-homeschoolers can also read here and come away feeling encouraged in your own unique path that is right for you and yours. All the best!
MomofTwoPreciousGirls, what a lovely compliment. I am just starting to homeschool, but we had kids in school for 6 years…and I don’t regret it. It’s awesome to be able to share our choices with each other and be encouraged, not judged. 🙂
I think my list would be very similar! But you write it so beautifully. Thank you.
shelli : mamaofletters’s latest post: Post Script: Using E-mail in Home Education
I remember thinking how lonely I would be if I put my little guy in school when he was 5! He was such great company. Now, 11 years later, I love having my best friends (4 of them!) with me all the time. I know many people don’t even question their decision to send their children to school, but for me, homeschooling has been a wonderful choice.
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As a Mum who lives in country, where homeschooling isn’t allowed posts like these sometimes used to make me sad, because I can relate to a lot of the reasons you wrote. But after a while I decided to be thankful for and be positive about (always a good decision, isn’t it ? ;o)our school system and the positive feelings my kids have about it. This year school ends at 12 o’ clock, so we have a whole afternoon together. We also chose a “Waldkindergarten” for our kids where they stay outside, play,explore,… five hours a day all year long.
So when reading your post, I discovered that I can use this inspiration for so much more than just homeschooling or not homeschooling, but for choosing their school, our daily activities or if I should become a working-mom or if I will stay at home a little longer. So thank you for your post!
Absolutely, Melanie. It sounds as though you’re integrating many of these principles as best you can right where you are–perfect!
Oh I needed to read this! I am excited about homeschooling, but I admit that there are times when I think…what am I getting into? You know exactly how it is so I don’t need to explain. My 3 kids are 3 1/2 years from oldest to youngest…some days are just exhausting!
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Thanks for a great list. We are having a cloudy cool day where I live and I love the fact we can have an easy morning reading books together on the couch.:)
Love this list. We are at the beginning. My girls are 3.5 years and 1 (next month, sniff!). My list:
*because my 3.5 year old spent 5 months attending the absolute best daycare available in our area, and she cried every day, and every time I spoke to the teacher or assistants I got the feeling she was the ‘difficult’ child, the ‘hard to love’ child, the child they could do without. And I just couldn’t handle someone seeing my beautiful, spirited, gentle, loving, adventurous, bright, little girl as anything but amazing.
*because 4 hours a day and the weekends isn’t enough for me
*because I’m not a morning person, and I’m not a good mom after a full days of work. I don’t want them to always get me when I’m struggling. I want them to have me at my best.
*because I can have a career later
*because there is never ‘enough’ money
*because life has gotten too busy for most kids, I want my kids to enjoy childhood and not the busyness of life
*because I like being around my kids and want to be around them as much as possible
*because it’s what feels like is right for us
I’m sure more why’s will come as my children grow.
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Love this list, Ashlee!
Thank you for the good reminder. I print it and post it next to my works station. So next time when the doubt sneaking into my heart – I will read it again and again and again.
* because they are better at the end of the day when the spend it with me (home, museums, train stations…) then when they come back from the class with few difficult kids, with overworked tired teacher
* because I want to give them so much more than regular curriculum
* because my (almost) 5 year old is at the 2nd grade level math and I don’t need to somebody to tell me to slow her down or she will be bored at school.
and the main reason – Because God laid it in my heart and I am obeying the call.
I love this post! I was head nodding/agreeing all the way through but this line right here is the one that resonated the most:
* because I’m a better mom at the beginning of the day than at the end of it
That is me. When my oldest two were in public school I felt that I got the worst part of their day and they got the worst part of mine. Changing to homeschooling brought us a whole new sense of family and of home. I believe my children like me a lot more than they would otherwise for the simple fact that we both get the best parts (as well as the worst) of each other’s days.
Thanks for sharing your homeschooling heart!
Thank you for this…I needed it. 😉
Your ideas about homeschooling are wonderful! I have a 5 yo and a 14 yo that I homeschool and I’m always looking for new curricular ideas! Can you tell me what curriculum you use and what websites and materials? Thank you!
My heart is there, but it’s just not possible right now. I homeschooled our 2 girls a few years ago and it was not the right choice for them or me. But now, they are in the local public school and I cannot stand the education they are receiving (or lack thereof). My 5 year old son protests every morning because it’s such a long day. I didn’t feel like battling it today and so I let him stay home 🙂 It was so fun! Not sure what we’ll do next school year or even next semester. I don’t know if I can stand them being in their current school much longer!
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These types of posts are good reminders to me. I go through ups and downs, and last week was feeling overwhelmed, but your eBook was a good reminder to me to focus on great literature and some math, and not to get stressed out about the rest. Anyway, this too reminds me of some of my reasons I tend to forget. Thank you!
CharityHawkins@TheHomeschoolExperiment.com‘s latest post: Family Song: Ten Commandments Song
*because I’ve been a teacher and have seen the problems in public schools
*because I’ve been a student and have been bored when I should’ve been learning, mocked when I should’ve been encouraged, and diminished when I should’ve been celebrated
*because I’m a mother and I want my son’s life to be as full of love and fun and learning as it can possibly be, and I believe that won’t happen if he spends seven-plus hours a day away from his home and family, in classrooms where his learning needs and wants can’t possibly be accommodated
Jamie, these are all great reasons to homeschool that are made with so much love. I especially like your belief and commitment to helping your children discover their inner genius, and not treating them like they’re in an assembly line (love Sir Ken Robinson’s ideas on this). Shinichi Suzuki had fantastic ideas about how a child’s parents know best how to teach them, and encouraged parents to ignite their child’s love of learning by figuring out how to make the learning interesting and fun for them too. I think you’d like what he had to say.
Everyday is a blessing with my daughter…even on days that may be trying…
I am thankful to God for the gift of having her home. : )
Awesome post! I was homeschooled and I remember watching our neighbour kids go to school and waiting for them to come home. It was so foreign to us for kids to never have time to just PLAY!
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Thank you for this wonderful post, Jamie. I blog about our journey towards minimalism and finding a simpler family life, and lately we have been trying to decide what is right for our kids and family for next school year. Can’t wait to read this post to my husband as we continue to gather info!
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Is it selfish to say that I decided to homeschool because my son and I absolutely hate getting up at 6 am for him to be stuck in a classroom for 5 to 6 hours a day?? He is only 5!! I wont even mention the traffic during drop off times at school.