The Reluctant Homeschooler
Tuesday, June 5, 2012 at 5:00AM 
This sweet (then third grader) did not want to be homeschooled.
I did not know this until just a few days ago. She never told me. She didn't want to hurt my feelings.
She was afraid she would miss her friends, her teacher, and just the "familiar" of public school.
When I think that she had to go through this transition from school to home without voicing her true feelings it makes me sad. But, my friends, God is good and carried her through the transition just beautifully. God blessed our family for obeying his call.
Today - three years later - she is thriving in homeschool (as is her younger brother) and tells me she hopes she never has to return to a traditional school environment.
The top ten list this week is extra special... written by my favorite little girl in the world (with a little input from my favorite little boy in the world, too!).
1. You don't have to ride the bus where kids are always crying or throwing up (which really stank... literally!)
2. I can learn about what interests me (I took an entire class about horses!).
3. Homeschool is usually done around 1 p.m.; public school kids have to stay there longer and waste more time.
4. I can read books at any level, not just books with my "reading level" sticker on them... which probably wasn't even my reading level anyways.
5. You can have more than one teacher. Mom, dad, Pastor Larry, Mrs. Fletcher (my Sunday School teacher) and my co op teachers all teach me different things. Lots of adults care about your education in homeschool.
6. Co-Op!
7. My dog can sit on my lap while I do my work.
8. No one can pick their nose and wipe it on your desk (yes, this really happened)
9. Your mom reads out loud to you during lunch.
10. You can swim laps and it's PE!
As a parent, numbers 2 and 5 speak VOLUMES to me. The depth of curiosity and relationship are immense benefits of homeschooling.
What are your children's favorite things about homeschool?
Reader Comments (14)
Thanks for this list! Your children did an amazing job coming up with very eloquent reasons for being homeschooled.
Adventures of a Homeschool Mom
Alessandra
Oh I agree about #2 and #5! Love being able to chase after an answer. Your children did a great job!
Thanks for the encouraging post! My daughter is coming home this school year, and is very apprehensive...just as my boys were when they came home. It does a Momma's heart good to see this list! Great post! Happy Tuesday, friend! :)
Fabulous list. A couple of those made me smile for sure, but your children were very insightful and seem to completely appreciate the blessings of homeschooling. That is wonderful. Thanks for sharing their thoughts.
This is awesome! We are beginning kindergarten homeschool in the fall. Nervous :) Glad your children love it so much. Praying mine do too!
Great list! We LOVE homeschooling also!
Oh my goodness! I love the throwing up on the bus and the nose picking! Those are the favorites I have read yet today!
I am still trying to let go of that textbook/carved in stone perception of what school is. This year my goal is to be more interest led. Great list!
Oh Mary, I love the kids list. And your sweet girl. Didn't want to make you feel bad. I love this list. I should let Keilee do this.
Love the list! My kiddos had a great time putting their list together too! My three oldest kids also experienced public school (one of them even experienced it twice), so they too REALLY know what it's like both ways! Thank goodness my kids love homeschool too. There may be times when they miss some things but from their lists (it went on for a long time) I know that they really do love homeschool and enjoy it more than public school.
Super list!
Yes, we too do not miss the gross factor at school and on the school bus...ugh!!
I think the reading freedom and the freedom to learn what WE want are some of our most cherished reasons for loving homeschooling :)
since my girls spent a few years in public school before being homeschooled ... i totally get #s 1 and 8. poor kids.
they also think it's funny that our doggish-cat jumps on their books during school :)
and #2 ... that's what its all about!
great list!
One of the things I liked, other than the obvious #2 & #5, was #7. Sometimes school material CAN be stressful or upsetting to anyone, no matter how well presented or how well understood. That is just the nature of the topic at times. Having a pet there to offer comfort can really mitigate some of those negative feelings about whatever is going on in the learning.
Also, A local friend who homeschools her bunch said that sometimes the dog having the patience to sit through a lesson helps the younger ones accomplish the same task without a word having to be said. :)
Thank you for sharing. My now 3rd grader wanted to come home last year because of all the issues with school but now he says he misses his friends and wants to go back. I believe that we have made progress in the areas that he shut down in while in school and don't feel we are suppose to be going back to school right now. I am continuously praying about it and if we could get involved in the co-ops around here then I think that would help. Thanks for sharing...