Benefits of Homeschooling

I was homeschooled from pre-k to graduation, and I'm here to write a post from the homeschooler's perspective! Okay, please stay calm, because I am not going to bash public school, or say that homeschooling is the only way to go. I know there are some bad homeschool situations, and there are some wonderful public schools (my husband teaches at a great one!). I was asked to talk about the benefits of homeschooling from my point of view, with the key words being, my point of view. Each homeschool experience is unique, and is one of the things I like about it. I plan on homeschooling my kids in the future, but I don't think you are doing it wrong if you don't. It's your decision!

So, benefits of homeschooling:
#1. Socialization: What! You thought that homeschoolers have no socialization skills or opportunaties?! Like I said before, every person's experience (and personality!) is different. I know a family that lives quite a ways from town, and only hangs out with people at church and at home with their immediate and extended family. I also know a family who homeschooled because they travel and sing at so many places, and this gives them the opportunity to get to know hundreds and hundreds of people. I wasn't involved in sports or anything (first, because I hated playing sports, and second, because my parents have 6 kids and driving 6 different kids to all different sports events can be a nightmare) but I have always been outgoing, and as a teenager was super involved with our local homeschool association group. I love the fact that I have friends that are 17 and friends who are 60, and that it was that way for me growing up. It didn't matter the age, and I never was intimidated (however, I was taught to respect my elders) by 'grown-ups'.

#2. Having curriculum that fit me:
When I was a teenager I loved, loved, loved to write. I would write poems, short stories and even start (only finished two) novels. My mom caught on to my love for writing and found an English curriculum that taught me everything an 11th grader need to learn while getting to write a novel! Math and I never saw eye to eye, but because Mom saw my love for literature and history, she allowed me to read biographies and historical literature, and only lightly use stuffy textbooks (My brother, on the other hand doesn't think textbooks are stuffy, and actually quite likes them, so another instance where we got curriculum that fit us!). Actually being able to read literature and biographies for history caused me to have a greater love for it, and I still enjoy watching documentaries and reading about history (and squeal when the doctor goes back in time!).

#3. The lack of bullies and negative socialization:
I have a friend who's son is dealing with teasing and bullying at school, and it makes me so thankful to have been homeschooled. I'm not saying that my life was perfect, because when I was a teenager I did go through the normal 'be friends with a group of girls who talk about you behind your back, or who love to create drama whenever possible' stage, but what I went through was pretty minor compared to some. I also heard the 'sex talk' from my mom, and not from young teenage girls who know way too much, and yet so little.

#4. Having God be the center of our schooling:
It was because of a homeschool Bible lesson at the age of 6 that I accepted Jesus as my Savior, and every morning we continued to study, learn and grow as a Christian.

These are just a few of the reasons I loved homeschooling. Like I said before, everyone has their own unique experiences and opinions. These are mine, and I hope it helped you perhaps see it in a different light, or be encouraged as a homeschool mom to know that hey, maybe this homeschooling thing will work out after all. Hope this helped and blessed!

Oh, and one of my favorite videos from Blimey Cow about homeschoolers!