In the next few posts, I am highlighting my best reasons to invest one year of your family's life in homeschooling. Everyone may not be cut out for the full commitment of all school years, but taking a leap of faith for one year changed everything for my family.
Reason-
Your kids will talk to you about school.
Before our one year homeschool adventure, it was like pulling teeth to get a detailed answer to: "What did you do at school today?". Shuffling in the door, dropping book bags and heading straight for food, they answered, "Nothing much."
Nothing, but the world. Nothing, but algebraic equations and the essay format. Nothing, but the laws of gravity and the Declaration of Independence. Saying "nothing" implied: "Nothing you would understand, Mom. What's for dinner?"
Today, after one year of my husband and I teaching our children everything from photosynthesis to the Pythagorean theorem, the kids spill everything.
"How was school today?"
"Mom, you're not going to believe what we did with Newton's laws of motion. We performed two experiments, and oh! I need your help to make a balloon car that demonstrates Newton's law: for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction."
Our fourteen-year-old shares activities and classwork never before surfaced in conversation. She asks questions about math and listens to our answers (most of the time.)
Our twelve-year-old asks me to take him to the library to check out the next book in his current literary obsession and explains the plot to me in detail as I drive.
Our ten-year-old wants me to practice division facts while she enjoys her after school snack. When she misses one, she listens as I explain different ways of getting the right answer.
So WHY does one year of homeschool get your kids talking about school?
1-They know you know about school. Simple answer, but before we home schooled, our kids clearly understood that their parents went to school and even knew that we did quite well while we were there. But that was a long time ago. What could possibly apply to their school world today? After working day after day with the kids on everything from handwriting to marine biology, they have a deeper understanding of our knowledge. They know we know and respect us more as a result.
2-They know you care about their education. When we quit our jobs to dedicate one year of our lives to teaching and traveling the world, our kids registered the significance we placed on their education. I'm not saying the only way children will feel you care about their education is through home schooling. Obviously, many parents stress this importance daily in overseeing homework and attending open houses, conferences and PTA meetings. I simply mean that I discovered the quantity of time spent with my child over specific lessons in math or history created a bond between us that I never expected. Their doubts or questions about what we expected of their learning disappeared. They know we are willing to go to any lengths to prepare them for life on planet Earth.
Talking about school may seem a banal or trite reason to home school. Some may say a whole year is an enormous sacrifice for such a minute accomplishment. I know that one year helped me discover the joy in little things... like talking about school with my kids.
Your kids will talk to you about school.
Before our one year homeschool adventure, it was like pulling teeth to get a detailed answer to: "What did you do at school today?". Shuffling in the door, dropping book bags and heading straight for food, they answered, "Nothing much."
Nothing, but the world. Nothing, but algebraic equations and the essay format. Nothing, but the laws of gravity and the Declaration of Independence. Saying "nothing" implied: "Nothing you would understand, Mom. What's for dinner?"
"How was school today?"
"Mom, you're not going to believe what we did with Newton's laws of motion. We performed two experiments, and oh! I need your help to make a balloon car that demonstrates Newton's law: for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction."
Our twelve-year-old asks me to take him to the library to check out the next book in his current literary obsession and explains the plot to me in detail as I drive.
Our ten-year-old wants me to practice division facts while she enjoys her after school snack. When she misses one, she listens as I explain different ways of getting the right answer.
So WHY does one year of homeschool get your kids talking about school?
1-They know you know about school. Simple answer, but before we home schooled, our kids clearly understood that their parents went to school and even knew that we did quite well while we were there. But that was a long time ago. What could possibly apply to their school world today? After working day after day with the kids on everything from handwriting to marine biology, they have a deeper understanding of our knowledge. They know we know and respect us more as a result.
Talking about school may seem a banal or trite reason to home school. Some may say a whole year is an enormous sacrifice for such a minute accomplishment. I know that one year helped me discover the joy in little things... like talking about school with my kids.
