Why Homeschool?: Part Three

"Why Homeschool? Part One"

"Why Homeschool? Part Two"

I slowly began to realize that I am a control freak would like very much to be able to fill my child's mind up with information in a manner that conformed to her parents' wishes and standards, as opposed to the wishes and standards of the National Education Agency or the State Board of Education, not that I considered those wishes bad (at that time). Just that... well... that whole control freak thing.

By the time, MaddieLynn was four years old, she was reading on a second grade level, and I could see that she had no need to go to preschool to learn her colors and numbers. I also began to question why she would need to go away from home to learn about table manners and dinosaurs, like my friends' children, since we already talked and read about those things at home.

We had plenty of friends that we met and played with each week, and besides, I enjoyed spending time with her and she felt the same about me, so we skipped preschool altogether.

By the time Kindergarten rolled around, I had *researched homeschool a bit and we decided to give it a whirl, just for a couple of years, THREE at the most. We didn't want her to be weird or anything, so we told everyone she would go to school starting in third grade.

During those years, we saw how much freedom homeschooling allowed us. We could take a trip or arrange museum visits or spend extra time studying ancient Egypt whenever we wanted to. Without having to notify anyone!

We also noticed that, not only could we incorporate a study of the fruits of the Spirit or the parables of Jesus into our curriculum, we could talk about those things throughout the day as we drove along and ate our lunch and folded the laundry.

We could teach our children that, while learning the multiplication facts is important, the MOST important things are found in God's word.

We grew to love the entire mindset of homeschooling. It became so much more than "school". It became our way of life.

It is not without difficulties and sacrifices and setbacks, but we wouldn't have it any other way now. We have well exceeded the "couple of years" goal we began with and we plan to continue as long as we are able.

*School Can Wait

*Recovering the Lost Tools of Learning: An Approach to Distinctively Christian Education (Turning Point Christian Worldview Series)

*The Big Book of Home Learning : Getting Started: Introduces All Major Home School Methods & Answers Your Most Frequently Asked Questions