If you were my friend I’d invite you out for coffee sit across from you and tell you all about the wonders of the Homeschool realm, as we sit with charming coffee cups in our hand. We’d laugh as we discussed all the pro’s and con’s, we’d exchange stories about the kids in each of our lives and how the amaze each of us. I’d tell you how a once struggling student of mine declared “I didn’t think I’d ever say this but math can be fun” and how I nonchalantly nodded my head and agreed all the while screaming and shouting in your heart “VICTORY!!!” .
But let’s face it this is an ideal picture, the coffee shop setting part at least. The internal victory dance over a student who once struggled in math and now declares that math can be fun ,now that that’s real.
I could talk pro’s and con’s of homeschooling and I will but not just yet, first I want to highlight a few of the things that make homeschooling such a worthwhile venture.
1. You are your child’s greatest influence. Ever notice that your child’s attitude changes drastically based on who they hang out with? In my own life I have found this to be true, when I surround myself with woman who embody what I want to be more like it drives me by gently guiding me towards who I want to be. The same is true in our children’s lives the more they are surrounded by children that mind their manners, that love God greatly, that are respectful ,that admit when they are wrong (we are a living example in this) and that are quick to forgive, Then that’s what our children end up striving towards why? Because you are influencing your children the real question is what is your influence telling them?
2. Creativity. I am not creative or at least not in the typical sense, I have to be honest. Yet creativity is a huge part of Homechooling. So why would I bring this up? Because creativity is a huge part of homeschooling. When your child asks a question and you don’t know the answer help them find the answer. Let it be an adventure with you and your kids. When they ask you if there are carnivorous don’t just say “yes” take them on an adventure to find and identify carnivorous plants, And thankfully you can do this through the internet, library, nature walks, or visiting special greenhouses.
3. Big Juicy Conversations. The phrase “Big Juicy Conversations” comes from a book named “The Brave Learner” by Julie Bogart and while I don’t agree with everything it is still well worth the read. There are great idea’s for hands-on activities that are very helpful. More important she talks about the importance of Big Juicy conversations and their impact on children. My mom Homeschooled me K-12 and one of the things that made a huge impact in my life was conversations with my mom. But she rarely lectured me though she did have to correct me on occasion, mostly she listened. And the profound impact on my life that her simply being willing to constantly listen cannot be overstated.
4. The freedom to learn extracurricular activities. This is one of the many beauties of Homeschooling. When I first discovered Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte I was about 12 years old and it was the beginning of my love of reading. Although I continued my regular school work in addition I researched everything I could about Charlotte Bronte and her sisters. When my younger sister first got into computer software at the age 9 she built her own computer on her own. These are some of the wonders of the homeschool world where textbooks become the launching point for learning and not the only means of education.
These are just a few of many, the majority I will be addressing in the article on pro’s and con’s to Homeschooling, where we will take a look at some statistics and some questions that have been raised by both sides.