7 Reasons Why Homeschooling Was Our Best Option

I never thought I would homeschool my kids. As a naive public school kid, I believed most homeschooled kids were socially awkward and weird. I remember being in high school and vowing that I would never homeschool my own. You know, because the worst thing I could think of about having kids, is having socially awkward ones.

I have certainly eaten my own words since then. We will begin our fourth year of homeschooling this fall. Our decision to homeschool has been one of the best choices I have made as a mom.

The world is not the same today as it was when I was a kid. I was raised in a small town where I graduated with a lot of the same kids that I had been going to school with since preschool. Living in the suburbs of Denver, I knew my kids’ public school experience was going to be far different than mine.

I’m not saying public schools are bad or that kids attending public schools are bad. I’m just extremely thankful we are able to consider other options that align more with our family’s vision of what their education should look like.

So, here are our top 7 reasons why we chose (and continue to choose) homeschooling.

1. I Don’t Have to Worry about Their Safety

This was our biggest concern when considering all of our options. Like I said before, we live in a different world these days and I never wanted to send my kids off to school and question their safety everyday. I know schools are trying really hard to come up with solutions to bullying or Covid concerns, but no one has a firm grasp on school shootings. I didn’t feel comfortable putting my kids’ safety in the hands of someone else.

2. I Know Their Circle of Influence is a Positive One

I have spent a good portion of the last few years investing my time into raising good human beings. Instilling good morals and values, teaching good manners, and setting a good example of how I expect them to act. I don’t worry about my kids being a good influence on others, I worry about other kids being a bad influence on them.

We are part of a homeschooling enrichment program. So, one day a week, my kids go to “school” with other homeschooled kids. It is a very small community where I have developed good relationships with the teachers and other families that attend. This program allows my kids to get out, make friends, listen to someone other than me, and participate in group learning.

3. I Know What They’re Learning

Isn’t it crazy to think that even though the world has changed since we were kids, the school structure hasn’t changed much to prepare them for the future?

I remember graduating from high school, being thrown into the adult world, and all of a sudden feeling like I hadn’t been properly prepared to handle adulthood on my own. I should thank my teacher for passing algebra but I had no idea how to do taxes, process of buying a house, or anything about the importance of credit scores. My kids should also know daily basic skills like cooking, budgeting, grocery shopping, folding laundry, and paying bills. There is no better way to learn than from the professional, herself (slightly kidding!)

4. I Know They are Thriving in Their Learning Environment

My kids love learning! They are enthusiastic about school and are usually eager to start their lessons. We start our day well rested and most of the time, we can never be late!

My kids also understand their attitude sets the environment for which we learn. Having the freedom to choose where we learn has been a huge blessing. Being able to change course and adjust our day to better meet their needs, I believe, has been the biggest reason for continued success in homeschooling.

5. They are Confident Because They Have a Say in Their Education

My parents had a saying when we were kids; if you treat them like adults, they will act like adults. My kids are still kids but they get a big boost of confidence knowing they have a say in what school looks like for them.

We do a yearly check in, to evaluate how they’re learning, what they are learning and to put a game plan in place for the following year. So far, every year, their opinion on homeschooling hasn’t changed!

6. Life Isn’t Limited to Just 3 Months of Summer

My kids are pretty spoiled. They get to enjoy parks, pools and special field trips during the middle of the week when everyone else in school. We don’t have to wait in lines or deal with crowded parks. We have the freedom to plan family vacations between September and April. This makes for a very hard adjustment during the summer.

When my littlest ones are older, I look forward to taking the whole family across the country to learn about our history. I never had these types of experiences growing up. So I look forward to experiencing them together!

7. I Get to Help Celebrate Their Accomplishments

Of all of the reasons we chose to homeschool, my favorite is that I get to be a part of my kids’ learning journey. I am so thrilled to be right there along side them when they learn to write their name, when they learn to read, and when they have a break through moment on a subject they have been struggling with. Each year we have different ways to celebrate the last day of school and to reward them for all of their hard work. I am so grateful I get to be a part of these moments!

Children Are the Most Important Work

Homeschooling is a big commitment. It requires, more focus, more patience, and lots of problem solving. Combined, those things can lead to some very long days. But, the moments we share together outweigh the long days. No one ever told me this would be easy, they just promised it would be worth it!

Are you homeschooling or considering homeschooling? What reasons led you to seeking out other options? I’d love to know in the comments!