The thought of sending our kids to a traditional school gives me anxiety. Parents share stories about their children's schedules for the week, and I'm horrified. Kids have commitments on opposing ends of town and dinner at 8:30 while attempting to finish a science project due in the morning. It all sounds like a mess. An exhausting mess.
Freedom to learn
Homeschooling kids have time to play, learn, do chores, and have the time to explore personal interests. They can do these activities in an order that works best for them. A traditional academic schedule is very demanding and leaves little room for children to discover the world around them, and it also stifles their creativity. Even if students find a more efficient way to do something, they will be harshly graded for not fitting the mold.
You own more of your time.
Our family enjoys travel, and the best times of the year for us are usually during the shoulder season when the kids are in school. The prices, weather, and crowds are more bearable, and overall, it's just more relaxing than the fast-paced summer vacation. We also love to take longer trips, not always, but 2-4 weeks are more our speed because it allows us to take our time in the RV. Taking kids out of school for more than a few days in an entire school year is a big no-no and results in steep consequences. We are free from this punishment.
Teacher shortages
They are a reality, and teachers are leaving the school system all over the country for other work or retiring early. Homeschooling helps alleviate some of the pressure that the struggling school system faces.
Family values
No matter your beliefs, homeschooling provides a comfortable environment for teaching kids about morals and values.
Freedom to learn based on individual learning styles
You can choose how you want to learn about subjects in a world full of documentaries, YouTube channels, podcasts, and books. For some, textbooks can be tedious and hard to follow as their eyes glaze over the words. Some students can finish a chapter and not even know what they read! Many times, students need help to read something that is not interesting. Understanding will only happen when they see the whole picture of its relevance. I was this kid! Some kids thrive using textbooks, but at the end of the day, the choice is theirs regarding how they learn.
Kids can set their pace.
There are no arbitrary deadlines. In a typical school, advanced kids often have to wait until the rest of the class catches up to 2+2=4. On the other side, struggling kids can work without the pressure of their teacher moving too fast or feeling dumb.
Watson is in kindergarten this year, and while rocking in math, he's struggling to write his fives. I brought out the pre-k book so he could continue practicing in a pressure-free environment.
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