Summer time is a great time to start over, add or subtract curriculum, and try out new extracurricular programs. Even if we school year round, we can take some time in the summer to regroup, reorganize, and make some changes. It is always great to have a time to reset what needs resetting; to have a moment to collect our thoughts, collect our curriculum, and collect our courage.
While in this moment of collecting, I find it helpful to recollect or even rediscover why we are considering this home education idea. It often helps to hear what others are saying. A few months ago, we asked our Facebook community to respond to this: “Give me one reason not to continue with public school next semester and homeschool instead.” We received hundreds of answers that were highly encouraging. Here are a few.
Biblical Reasons
“God put your children in your family. He called parents to train their children in His laws and ways. God called you and will equip you to do His work.”—Kelley Y.
“Obedience to God’s Word. How can a parent train up their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord if they daily relinquish their authority and influence to the state, allowing a pagan establishment to disciple their children?”—Suzanne E.
“Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night” (Psalm 1:1–2). “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s” (Mark 12:17). —David and Erika S.
“And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up” (Deuteronomy 6:6– 7).—Rebecca
Time
“Your kids have time to be themselves. They aren’t in a classroom all learning at the same pace. They can learn anything they want and take as much time or zoom through it as fast as they can! I wouldn’t trade all the time I’ve had with my kids for anything.”—Kelly G.
“Time with your children that you won’t ever have again in their lifetimes; training and teaching them about life first, academics second. Instilling a love of learning and reading in your kids to where they can learn anything. Public school sucks the love of learning out of most kids.”—Anna M.
Physical Safety
“Free from bullying, freedom to choose what your child is taught; values.”—Dotty P.
“No school shootings, bullying, LGBTQ agenda, gender neutral bathrooms and locker rooms.”—Becky G.
Special Needs
“Public schools require children to fit in their ‘box’ of how they should learn. Our third child is high functioning autistic and tested ‘intellectually disabled’ but she scores academically higher than she should. I credit that to choosing to homeschool. At 17, she passed her driving permit test and competes in ballroom dancing.”—Becky G.
Freedom
“Freedom/flexibility: whether that’s being able to move at your child’s own pace or being able to take a vacation in the middle of the school year.”—Jennifer M. F.
“Freedom, privacy, and time with my children. I don’t want a school board dictating what I can or cannot do. My children can learn what they want and at their own pace. We wake, sleep, and eat when we want. I get to be with them all day to watch them grow and learn and ensure their safety. We can use the weekend or summer to do schoolwork so we can take off at other times.”—Cassandra M.
Indoctrination
“Avoid indoctrination … into everything of this world and against God!”—Michele K.
“Indoctrination-free at home.”—Andrew J.
Family/Family Values
“Strengthening of family.”—Dawn O.
“Because relationship is so precious. Also you are in charge of their discipleship rather than trying to counter a secular indoctrination that is instilled in them daily.”—Chey R.
“Homeschooling allows you to instill your values and allows you to have a better understanding of your child.”—Kelly B.
Relationship
“The absolutely beautiful relationship you will develop with your child(ren).”—Lisa R.
“To build deep relationships that will last long after they become adults.”—Susan S.
Education/Academics
“We saved a lot of money homeschooling and the education was better quality. You know your child better than any public teacher ever can.”—Kimberly A. P.
“Personalized education.”—Sandra G.
“More time for a well-rounded education: dance, horseback riding, playing instruments, etc. It also allows you to teach real life skills along with book knowledge.”—Jessica B.
“The opportunity to learn rather than rote memorization for test prep in a factory designed education.”—R. B.
“To allow your children to pursue their passions and interests as much as they want.”—Caroline K. D.H.
“You can move along in subjects based on your child’s understanding, rather than moving on before he’s ready, or staying on a topic already mastered.”—Lynn H. B.
Influence: Negative & Positive
“Negative influences from children whose parents are not as involved or protective of their young minds and eyes.”—Joni A.
“Daily input into the precious lives of your children without worldly agendas.”—Terri S.
“Two reasons why you should avoid ‘public’ school. One: They think they are entitled to ‘teach’ our children without us questioning their motive or curriculum. Two: You have direct influence in what your child learns, in a home-directed course set.”—Wayne R. T.
“Removing unnecessary influences.”—Bri A.R.
“When you send your kids out to be taught, you give up the chance to be the most important role model that will influence and impact your child’s life.”—Deidre T.
“Because we get to teach our kids things of true value. Teaching them about Jesus and how good He is! I love that I know by whom and what they are being influenced by!”—Meagan M.
Flexibility/Schedule
“To have a more flexible schedule.”—Amy B.
“Flexibility for you to teach what you want and how you want.”—Denise H.
“Visiting amusement parks, museums, theaters, indoor pools, basically by yourself, because everyone else is in a classroom.”—Kelly G.
“Because public schools will not let you wear your fuzzy pj’s all day while sipping hot chocolate and petting your cat.”—Dianna DJ B.
Knowledge of Your Child
“You really get to ‘know’ your children (strengths, weaknesses, desires, friends, habits, fears, etc.)”—Sue F. B.
“No one knows your kids better than you.”—Amanda M. P.
Public School/Private School
“I am so grateful that I was able to homeschool. Now I am a public charter middle school teacher. The drama, the meanness, the time that is wasted … I love that homeschooling allows for meeting individual needs. Our kids grow up so fast. I am so thankful for the time that I had to invest in my children.”—Shari L.
“I volunteer and substitute at a Christian school. Sometimes I just shake my head at the ‘stuff’ that goes on. This is why we homeschool.”—LuAnn R.
“For you: no more school pick up and drop off and hurry to leave the house on time.”—Lizanne C.
“Stand outside a public high school and watch what walks out.”—Heather M. G.
“(Girls) don’t have to share a bathroom with a boy.”—Gayle M.
“Active shooter drills and no child left behind.”—Jennifer S. B.
“As a school bus driver, I see every day reminders of why I have my child out!”—Virginia M.
“Public schools do not allow an active boy to jump on the trampoline between subjects or allow the musically inclined to play music between subjects. The homeschooling community tends to provide more positive peer pressure as opposed to the negative peer pressure in the public school environment. The pressure is heavy for kids to fit into a world they don’t belong to.”—Linda T.
Health/Sleep/Peace
“Less sickness and, if they are sick, you can still do quiet learning and not have to worry about absences.”—Susan H.
“You get to sleep in if you want!”—Jumara L. E.
“Peace, in your home, in your children, and in your heart.”—Amanda P.P.
“Your child’s overall well-being.”—Kindra L.
Socialization
“They get the opportunity to be immersed in real life situations rather than spending all day with the same age group. That’s not normal ‘socialization.’ They need to be able to socialize with all ages and demographic groups, and not just what the public school environment is giving.”—Michelle D. W.
“I homeschool because I have seen the village, and I don’t want it raising my children.”—Jess D.
Love
“Because you love them and want what’s best for them.”—Kathy M.
“Isn’t it enough reason to love your children and desire they spend their lives with you rather than with others?”—Robin B.P.
Conclusion
Weren’t those great reminders to keep going? Especially in this “post-Christian” era we find ourselves in, we must remain steadfast in our conviction and commitment. You will not regret the sacrifices you have made, or the time you spend to disciple these children given by God. I wholeheartedly agree with this sentiment: “No one ever regrets homeschooling their children when they look back at all the blessings.”—Amy F.
Copyright 2020, The Old Schoolhouse®. Used with permission. All rights reserved by the Author. Originally appeared in the Summer 2020 issue of The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine, the trade publication for homeschool moms.
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