The reasons people homeschool are as broad as the ocean you know? Some to cover spiritual matters more easily, others to better meet the needs of their differently-abled offspring, and more. This post isn’t about why others homeschool though, but why “I” homeschool. What are my homeschool reasons? Pre-determination, bullies, faith and lifestyle.
Let me share with you my thoughts.
Homeschool Reasons: A pre-determination
We knew (hubby and I) that we wanted to homeschool before my son was even born. I knew I could do it, hubby was sure I could, so we were set long before we even needed to think about it. We both knew homeschoolers in real-life as well which made it an easier decision.
Homeschool Reasons: Bullied!
I was bullied in school. Hated it. Hubby had a bully for a teacher. Almost turned him off the love of learning. When we first got married I started a job at a local fast food joint. Enjoyed the work for the most part. BUT… was bullied by a gal who gave me the silent treatment and pushed me around whenever she could because.. I DIDN’T KNOW as a newcomer to this town that she and her family were part of the founding members of the town. I asked her (after she revealed this information) why she would do that. “Because it was fun”. We worked past it, I told her it was unacceptable, and we managed to mostly get along after that. This situation though, helped cement my desire to homeschool. Why would I want to send my five year old to a school were people would bully him for something he couldn’t possibly have known?
Homeschool Reasons: Faith
As people of faith it matters to me what my boy learns about God. On the playground we would meet a variety of children from all walks of life. When talking with them I often heard “because teacher says so”. I wanted more for my boy than that. To not parrot what teacher says … to be able to say things like “the bible says” or “I learned this on youtube” or “my dad taught me this.” I want him to have a good grounding in his faith so he can talk about it and share it with others.
Homeschool Reasons: Lifestyle
As much as these things things, a predetermination, bullying and faith were the founding reason why we chose to homeschool, now I simply wouldn’t do it any other way unless my son convincingly tells me why he wants to do it differently. I love having him around (honestly… about 90% of the time). We all have moments when we want to be alone to do our own thing, or we’re having a difficult day or…. you know. 🙂 But having him in the house all day, talking to me, coming to me with things he’s learned and what not. I LOVE IT! And I simply wouldn’t have it any other way. He’s my boy…and a delightful one.
The Virtual Curriculum Fair is hosted by Susan. You can find her here.
Now, let’s see what my fellow homeschool bloggers have to say about The Reasons We Homeschool.
Note: all posts will be live after 8 am EST.
5 Reasons to Homeschool High School by Susan @ Homeschooling Hearts & Minds
Weird Homeschoolers by Kim R. @ Good Sweet Love
How We Make Homeschooling a Lifestyle by Jeniffer @ Thou Shall Not Whine
Our Ever Evolving Homeschool Story by Christy @ Unexpected Homeschool
5 Reasons You Will Want to Homeschool by Michele@ Family, Faith and Fridays
How Our Homeschool Came To Be (and why we continue) by Sabrina @ Kids, Crunch, and Christ
Home Education – 10 Reasons we keep going…even when it’s hard by Lizzy @ Peaches@Home
So… Tell Me Again Why You Homeschool? by Leah @ As We Walk Along the Road
Virtual Homeschool Fair 2018 – Week 1 – Why do I Homeschool by Joelle@Homeschooling For His Glory
Homeschool Reasons: Bullies, Faith and More by Annette @ A Net In Time
In Pursuit of Purpose by Laura @ Four Little Penguins
A Long Time Ago . . . Why We Decided To Homeschool by Kym @ Homeschool Coffee Break
The Why Behind Hopkins Homeschool by Amanda @ Hopkins Homeschool
5 Reasons We Love Homeschooling by Brittney @ Mom’s Heart
Why We Homeschool – It’s What We Do by Kristen H @ Sunrise to Sunset
Why we Home Educate and Extra Benefits by Sarah@Delivering Grace
Homeschooling: The Big WHY? by Lisa @ True North Homeschool Academy at Golden Grasses
Regaining Your Homeschool Focus by Jen @ A Helping Hand Homeschool
Why do we homeschool? by Dana @ Life Led Homeschool
Our “Homeschool” Why by Jacquelin @ A Stable Beginning
It’s Worth it! Why We Homeschool, Even After All These Years by Hillary @ Walking Fruitfully
Because Life is Precious by Lori H @ At Home: where life happens
1998 vs. 2018: Why We Homeschool by Debra @ Footprints in the Butter
Yes! At first it was because of various reasons, and now it’s a lifestyle! Beautifully said!
Thank,you
I love how you state your reasons. I was bullied at school (all the way through high school by different classmates). I know those negative experiences affected me as much as the positive ones (great teachers, good classmates, etc).
Bullying is not a fun thing, livable, usually not the end of the world, but not fun
All good reasons. Yes that is part of it for us and so much more.
More? What’s the more?
Great reasons!! Isn’t it interesting to see all of the different perspectives. Most are similar but we all have our own twist!
it’s those twists that make all the reasons just a bit different eh? 🙂
We started because of bullying too, but love the life style and how much more our daughter learns this way. Sorry you were bullied too. I was just a shy introvert, but not necessarily bullied. Still, I would have loved learning even more if I didn’t have to deal with the overwhelming fear of being seen.
oh…. that can just be mind-numbing can’t it? that type of shyness? sometimes I’m glad homeschooling is so prevalent now-a-days… fears that children can be released from. 🙂
The possibility of bullying, and the general negative social situations of school were big factors in our decision to homeschool. Even simple things like always being chosen last for teams in gym class. And as my kids got into the high school years I remembered that I often kept quiet about any real interests I had in learning, because I knew that it was “socially unacceptable” to enjoy Shakespeare or history or whatever. How ridiculous!! I wanted my kids to pursue what interested them without being ridiculed for it.
Totally agree with your reasons for homeschooling – they are quite similar to my own!
Thanks Kym. We should be able to be interested in what we are
Bullying was one of our reasons for pulling our oldest out of school just before 2nd grade. We also had issues with negative influences, lack of differentiation in instruction, etc. Like you, after doing it for awhile, I got so used to having my children around that I really wouldn’t want to have it any other way. Yes, sometimes we get on each other’s nerves, but it has been overwhelmingly good for our relationship.
I know.. it’s so good having family around all the time eh? 🙂
Great reasons! There’s no place for bullying in schools or anywhere in my opinion. So glad you have your boy at home and you are both thriving.
yes, we are doing well. 🙂
I had a friend who started her son in public school here, and he was bullied terribly. When they found out and decided to homeschool, they learned from him just how bad it had been. 🙁 That’s definitely a reason to homeschool!
It is, it soured me quickly on this town i live in because the behaviour was condoned, ot at least appeared condoned by management
i love having my kids around too, learning together. And I can’t even imagine throwing my kids at such a young age to the wolves that are out there. That time will come soon enough!
Yes, that time will come too
What a clearly presented way of listing out your thoughts on it. I can echo many of these thoughts, except the first one. We did not even consider home education for quite a while after our first was born.
One of the things i like is that people come to homeschooling from so many perspectives and timelines