14 Reasons Why I Homeschool

Audio By Carbonatix

I’ve been a homeschooling mom for nearly 30 years. I’ve homeschooled seven kids who have now graduated, and I’ve got three more to go.

Why do I homeschool? Not because I want to hide my children away from the world. Not because I don’t have any dreams or goals of my own. Just the opposite. I sacrifice a lot to spend this time and effort on my kids. As a successful author, with a flourishing career, I could spend a lot more time writing more books if it wasn’t for homeschooling. I’d have more quiet and more peace. I’d have a cleaner house! But since I first started in 1994, the reasons why I homeschool have grown as my kids have. I homeschool for many reasons, and here are the first 14 that came to mind:

1. Socialization

The truth is, sitting in one room with 30 people your own age all day is not reflective of the “real world.” I want my kids to connect and interact with ethnically diverse people, of all ages, as they will throughout life. Through homeschooling, they interact with siblings, neighbors, kids on community sports teams, their homeschool co-op, and friends of all ages in our ethnically-diverse church. They also spend time each day with my elderly grandmother who lives in our home. This is true socialization.

2. Influence:

I want my thoughts, opinions, and values to matter more to my children than those of other kids, their teachers and society. Teachers are wonderful, but many times their thoughts, values, and opinions aren’t those of our family. I want my children to learn godly principles while they are young so they can build a strong foundation for the rest of their lives. The greatest way to teach my children Biblical principles is to model godly living for them, and I’m best able to do this when we spend time together throughout the day instead of limited hours at night or on weekends.

3. Family Bonding:

I want time with my children—learning, playing, laughing, disagreeing, and forgiving. Friends will come and go through life, but our children will have their family forever, so I want these relationships to matter most. My kids need their parents and siblings more than they need their peers.

4. Education:

I want to follow my children’s unique learning paths, not ones set up by a state office somewhere by someone (as well-meaning as he or she is) who doesn’t know my children, their interests, or their talents. I want to choose resources that will provide a well-rounded education with learning methods that will excite my kids!

5. Stewardship:

God gave me these children during a limited amount of time on earth. Someday I will stand before God and be accountable for my choices for them. I take this seriously. I want to be able to tell God that I gave my children (and Him!) everything I could when I had the chance.

6. Confidence:

We all know that bullying is a huge problem, and I don’t want my children to be exposed to hurtful or negative words and actions displayed by hurting, negative kids. I want my children to be confident in the people God created them to be without other kids criticizing them or putting them down. I want their confidence to come from their skills, character, and talents, not because they dress or behave in a way deemed “cool” or “popular” according to the trends of the moment.

7. Learning:

It’s my desire for my children to develop a love and excitement for learning, not to just get items completed and marked off a list. I want my child to learn for the joy of learning and not for a standardized test. I want this joy of learning to carry through life!

8. Content:

I want the material we use to be interesting and engaging, but even more importantly, I want it to be Christ-honoring and Christ-centered. I want to trust the beliefs and standards behind those who write the material my kids will use.

9. Preparation:

Homeschooling is about so much more than just books. It’s about household management, cooking, nature, being creative, exercising our bodies, and serving others. Every day we learn at home and interact in life together in healthy ways, my children are learning how to prepare for life.

10. Real-life experiences:

We don’t homeschool in a bubble. We have a phenomenal homeschool co-op. My kids get to travel with me to homeschool conferences where they reconnect with friends every year. We visit city parks, museums, libraries, and our city pool regularly. We meet friends for events and get-togethers. My children aren’t confined to one room all day—they experience real life in the real world around them.

11. Flexibility:

We can sleep in when we need to or take vacation days when everyone else is in school. We can spend time with dad during his lunch hour (both my husband and I work at home), and show him our school projects as we complete them. We keep a flexible homeschool schedule; without the strict schedules of conventional school, we can easily make room for the things we want to do as a family.

12. Mentoring:

I’m not foolish to think that I can provide everything my child needs. I also strive to surround my children with other godly adults (our friends, fellow church members, and fellow volunteers) so my children can see how others serve Christ, too.

13. Health:

My children spend hours outside each day running and playing. They enjoy healthy meals—all of which are eaten with other family members around the dining room table. They eat far more home-cooked items than fast foods or processed foods. My children also get plenty of sleep, because sleep is important to development and growth.

14. Faith:

I believe in my children’s future, and I have faith that God is going to do great things with their lives. This faith causes me to put my needs and desires on the back burner for what I feel is God’s greater good for my kids. My faith keeps me going even on days that are hard or exhausting. It’s simply trusting in the good future for my kids that I can’t see yet, and trusting in a God who knew and designed their lives before each of my children came to be.

How about you? Do you homeschool? I’d love to hear WHY!

Homeschool Success Course

Are you feeling overwhelmed and uncertain about your homeschooling journey? Do you wish you had a roadmap to help you navigate the challenges and achieve success? Look no further than Tricia Goyer’s Homeschool Success video course! Tricia Goyer is a homeschooling expert with over 20 years of experience, and she has poured all of her knowledge and wisdom into this comprehensive course. In each video, Tricia shares practical tips and strategies for homeschooling, from choosing a curriculum to managing your time effectively.

With Homeschool Success, you’ll discover how to:

• Create a customized curriculum that meets your family’s unique needs
• Develop a daily routine that maximizes your time and energy
• Cultivate a love of learning in your children and inspire them to reach their full potential
• Foster a positive homeschooling environment that nurtures relationships and builds character
• Navigate the challenges of homeschooling with confidence and grace

Tricia’s warm and engaging teaching style will leave you feeling empowered and equipped to tackle any homeschooling challenge that comes your way. You’ll also receive a workbook with actionable steps and reflection questions to help you apply your learning to your homeschooling journey. Take advantage of this opportunity to learn from one of the most respected homeschooling experts in the industry. Enroll in Tricia Goyer’s Homeschool Success video course today and start your journey to homeschooling success!

Homeschool Success Course only $9 Purchase the course here.

1. 

   Purchase the course here.