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Virtual Homeschool Fair 2018 - Week 1 - Why Do I Homeschool

Here we are at the start of another year and time for another Virtual Homeschool Fair with Susan@Homeschooling Hearts and Minds. This year the topics are gonna be slightly different but still the same concept of showcasing what  homeschooling looks like in different homes.

Week 1 - this week - we are talking about the reasons why we are homeschooling.

This topic is a providential one for me to be talking about at this time, as I am feeling the tiredness and weariness of 10 years of homeschooling. I feel like I have no energy or drive, and yet I know I need to persevere. Why do I feel that way? I can come up with at least five reasons which, I know will set me on a road to renewed enthusiasm and maybe encourage you in the process.


1. Time with my kids is invaluable. This was one of the main reason why we ended up homeschooling to start with. The prospect of spending time with my little ones (at that time) and not missing any of their milestones was an invaluable incentive. I have no regrets in homeschooling those tender years. I got to witness and be an essential part in all their haha moment as they developed. Now that they are older, it is not quite the same feeling, but the time that I can give to my teen and pre-teen is just as much valuable and important, if not much more. The teen years are crucial years and  just being there to see them struggle, and being able to offer a helping and encouraging hand, comfort and advice, has no match. I do not think I wan to trade that.

2. My kids were entrusted to me to educate and raise. This one appeals to the conviction that I had when I started and still possess to this day, that God gave me my boys so I can teach them, guide them and support them. Whether that be spiritually or academically they are primarily my responsibility. Just because it gets hard does not give me the right to just default, in the contrary it is a call for me to learn to trust more and more on God's strength and enabling, which he promises to give when he calls.

3. The school system has a lot left to be desired. This never fails: every time I am tempted to send one of my kids to public school, I hear, see or is confronted with something that happened or takes place in schools around me - whether from the teachers, the students or the political agendas. I know I am not a perfect teacher, I know my kids are missing out on some things offered by the public school, and sometime I feel guilty about that, but then I remember the trade off and realize that I have chosen the better part.

4. Our cultural moment is a crucial one. We live in a time where being grounded in Scripture and our Christian belief is a must. Being homeschooled allowed for my boys to get that grounding, all the while being prepared to face the world that is awaiting them. The world's agenda is so "in your face" these days and I could not bring myself in good conscience to just give up and send the boys to face it when they do not need to yet!

5. Nothing beats the flexibility and fun of homeschooling. I thing every homeschooler would tell you that this is a no-brainer. Going on vacation during the off-seasons, going on a field trip when the attractions are empty, playing at the park when it is not crowded, what's there not to love? Being on your own schedule, learning at your own pace, having concepts explained to you as many times and as many ways as needed and playing a game to learn concepts in any subjects, what child would not thrive on that?

I probably could come up with many more reasons why I know homeschooling is my path, but these are the main ones that keep me going




Now, let’s see what my fellow homeschool bloggers have to say about The Reasons We Homeschool.

5 Reasons to Homeschool High School by Susan @ Homeschooling Hearts & Minds
Weird Homeschoolers by Kim R. @ Good Sweet Love
How We Make Homeschooling a Lifestyle by Jeniffer @ Thou Shall Not Whine
Our Ever Evolving Homeschool Story by Christy @ Unexpected Homeschool
5 Reasons You Will Want to Homeschool by Michele@ Family, Faith and Fridays
How Our Homeschool Came To Be (and why we continue) by Sabrina @ Kids, Crunch, and Christ
Home Education - 10 Reasons we keep going...even when it's hard by Lizzy @ Peaches@Home
So... Tell Me Again Why You Homeschool? by Leah @ As We Walk Along the Road
Virtual Homeschool Fair 2018 - Week 1 - Why do I Homeschool  by Joelle@Homeschooling For His Glory
Homeschool Reasons: Bullies, Faith and More by Annette @ A Net In Time
In Pursuit of Purpose by Laura @ Four Little Penguins
A Long Time Ago . . . Why We Decided To Homeschool by Kym @ Homeschool Coffee Break
The Why Behind Hopkins Homeschool by Amanda @ Hopkins Homeschool
5 Reasons We Love Homeschooling by Brittney @ Mom's Heart
Why We Homeschool - It's What We Do by Kristen H @ Sunrise to Sunset
Why we Home Educate and Extra Benefits by Sarah@Delivering Grace
Homeschooling: The Big WHY? by Lisa @ True North Homeschool Academy at Golden Grasses
Regaining Your Homeschool Focus by Jen @ A Helping Hand Homeschool
Why do we homeschool? by Dana @ Life Led Homeschool
Our “Homeschool” Why by Jacquelin @ A Stable Beginning
It's Worth it! Why We Homeschool, Even After All These Years by Hillary @ Walking Fruitfully
Because Life is Precious by Lori H @ At Home: where life happens
1998 vs. 2018: Why We Homeschool by Debra @ Footprints in the Butter


This post is also linked up on the Homeschool Review Crew Blog.

Comments

Brittney said…
Being able to provide a solid foundation is so important! Love all of your reasons, as they closely reflect the way our family feels too!
I love all your reasons! Homeschooling has been the best thing we have done for our children!
Sabrina said…
Great reasons!! I love the time with my kids....most of the time lol
Leah Courtney said…
These are really good. I too love the flexibility of homeschooling!
Michele said…
Joelle, love that you have these reminders to push you through! As someone who has schooled for almost 20 years, I know there are times that are not as inspiring. Push through- you can do it- and God is faithful!

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