You might be exploring homeschooling due to the challenges the pandemic has revealed within the education system, or perhaps it's an idea you've contemplated for a while. Factors such as bullying, funding uncertainties for public schools, social and political issues, or deeply personal reasons could all be motivating your decision to homeschool. Identifying your core reason is crucial, as it will serve as your driving force.
For us, having homeschooled since before the pandemic meant we didn't skip a beat. We felt the impact; our field trips got canceled and sports activities ceased. Academically, however, we managed to continue our progress as normal. But I wasn't always in favor of homeschooling.
I Thought I Knew
Those who know me well are aware that I wasn't always supportive of homeschooling. Raised in the South Bronx of New York City, I went to public schools. It wasn't until my early twenties, as an adult, that I encountered someone who was homeschooled. Like many, I thought I understood what it entailed. Yet, I didn't consider the idea with an open mind. I was quite critical of the parent and skeptical about the education their child was getting. I believed I would never choose homeschooling for my children.
Fast forward ten years, and my dearest friend announced she would be homeschooling two of her four children. While I'd like to say that my love and respect for her led me to reconsider my views on homeschooling, it simply didn't happen. Nevertheless, I respected her decision and paid attention when she discussed her experiences. It was her "why" that initially caught my attention.
Her Why
I listened to my friend and watched her kids trust their mom with their education, as she researched curricula, programs, and legislation in Florida where we lived. It was important to her that her children, her students, met every state requirement and maintained extracurricular activities. She wanted them to continue to grow as students preparing for college, and that they also gained life skills as they grew to love learning. My friend kept a schedule as they had when they were enrolled in public school. For my friend, her "why" was centered on teaching her children about who they are while they learned to increase vocabulary, strengthen math skills, and improve reading comprehension. She was focused on helping her kids view their education as their training for their life's purpose. And her "why" is what kept her committed to long hours of planning, seeking professional assistance when preparing transcripts for her now college graduates, and making sure she reached out to others for help when she knew she was unable to provide her students with what the needed. I could go on and on about her story as she is my inspiration and the person who, by example, taught me the tremendous benefits of homeschooling.
My Why
For me, my "why" presented itself when my twins graduated from middle school and my youngest was preparing to enter kindergarten. It took two years for me to find the courage to take the plunge into the daunting, stressful, exhausting, overwhelming, time-consuming, exhilarating, freeing, empowering, exciting, priceless experience of homeschooling my high schoolers and third grader. My "why"...high school...I wanted my students to be challenged while being taught each subject at their appropriate levels. My hope was for them to maintain their engagement in sports and extracurricular activities. I aimed to prevent any resentment towards school and, ultimately, learning itself. It was important for them to understand the process of learning and to value its role in their development into highly capable and well-balanced individuals.
The Reward
My oldest two are walking in their purpose. Both graduated from college. One is an avid reader and history buff with plans to continue on to graduate school. The other is more tactile and has built and rebuilt his own computers and learned that college doesn't suit him. One is a chemist and partner in a few businesses. The other works as a technician on Wind Turbines and dabbles in financial investing with much success. They are so different, as students and as people, and yet I can say that they are both successfully walking in their purpose. For my remaining high schooler and rising first grader, that is still my "why". No one else is going to tell my kids who they are meant to be.
I choose to homeschool because it's crucial for my children to understand their value and purpose, and to learn the art of learning itself. It's not only about academic knowledge but also self-discovery. I don't want them to simply pass classes as a formality; I want them to invest their utmost effort, to work diligently, and to extract the maximum value from each class, because they deserve it, and so do their futures. This 'why' is what propels us forward every school year.
Your Why
Your "why" is personal. Please don't judge me or my friend for ours. It's important not to judge others for their reasons. We've faced judgment, even from close relatives, and persevere. Everyone has their own reasons for homeschooling, and these reasons vary as much as each individual's purpose in life. What matters is that when you find your "why", when you discover your reason for homeschooling your children, don't compromise it; don't let go. There's no need to justify it to anyone outside of your home. This foundational reason will motivate you through one more hour of grading papers or review another set of textbooks to find the perfect curriculum.
I hope the title didn't give the wrong impression. I'm not here to persuade anyone to homeschool, as it's a deeply personal choice. However, I am here to offer my genuine experiences and guidance for those considering this path. I'll also provide tips on managing unsolicited advice or opinions from others. Be sure to explore the rest of the website for resources on legal requirements in your state and detailed planning for each academic year. Homeschooling may not suit everyone, and the approaches to it vary widely. By understanding your motivations for homeschooling, you can select the most suitable program for your family.
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