Top Ten Reasons We Like Homeschooling

originally posted 18 NOV 2014

Read a great list today on the top fifty reasons kids enjoy homeschooling.
http://www.weirdunsocializedhomeschoolers.com/why-homeschooled-kids-like-being-homeschooled/

This list got me thinking of our favorites reasons for homeschooling.

In no particular order, here our our favorites.

1) No car line. The kids hear that from me all the time when we pass the car lines at our local schools. For some reason, car lines just got under my skin and I am generally a pretty patient type. I don't miss them a bit.

2) More time for activities (both my son and daughter list this as their top homeschool like). My daughter loves dance (four days a week) and piano. My son loves Scouting, drama and his Youth in Government group. Lots of time for extra activities.

3) No timed tests or papers. My daughter gave this reason. She has dyslexia and timed tests stressed her out beyond all reason. Between you and me, though, I do time her. I just don't tell her. She has no problem. When I do tell her, a little of that residual fear from school comes back so I don't tell her often.

4) Socialization! More time to hang out with friends (again both kids list this reason). They get to go hang out with friends during hours when kids are at school. Sometimes we'll meet up with friends at Disney or the beach and that's always fun. Other days they just hang out at each others' houses.

5) No homework. This is a personal favorite for all of us. Now that my son is taking college classes, though, this has changed but he only goes to school twice a week so he just does his homework in the mornings on his off days.

6). Flexible learning. If something isn't working, we toss it. I know which parents have children who learn like my daughter and which have children who learn like my son. I'll ask their opinions on what works for them. I get lots of opinions and read a lot of reviews.

7) Flexible schedules. If somebody wants to meet us at Disney or we want to go on a trip, we can. This year is a little different with my son's schedule but we still have three days a week to be more flexible and can take a four-day weekend whenever we like.

8) Kids work at their pace. Both kids are above grade level. When we started with my daughter after pulling her out of school, I had her working below grade level to catch her up and that flexibility was really nice. She needed it and we saw huge benefits by approaching education this way. We teach to ability not grade level.

9) One on one tutoring. My daughter lists this as a favorite. She is in sixth grade and now very much an independent learner. I don't have to do as much now that she is older. The curriculum is designed to teach and she works through it. We do the core lessons and she moves along at her own pace. I really believe this is why my son does so well academically with his college classes. He's learned how to be an independent learner.

10) Pajamas. Yes, it's true. We all enjoy taking our time in the morning and staying in jammies the better part of the morning if we like.

I could probably list twenty more favorite things but I think these are the top reasons we enjoy homeschooling.