Why we Homeschool

Many people ask us why we homeschool.  It is such a complicated answer, but I will give a few of the main reasons why we chose and continue to choose to homeschool.  First of all I'd like to say it wasn't originally our plan to homeschool. My husband and I are both public school teachers by trade. I started in the education field right out of high school. So it was not always my "Dream" to homeschool my children.  I'd like to give all you public school teachers out there who might be reading this a great big thank you for what you do! You are amazing people, and I know your job is not easy!

When Logan was younger we knew in advance a few years what surgeries he would be facing. So we knew ahead of time that the year he would be entering Kindergarten he would be having two pretty big surgeries.  I wanted to be able to stay with him.  I also wanted him to start Kindergarten. So the only option was for us to homeschool. That way I could keep him caught up academically with his peers, but we could also stay home and recover. It worked pretty awesomely!

Savannah was 3 when I started homeschooling Logan. She loved to be in the school room with us having school. So I just started her on preschool work and we continued on.  Nothing fancy, I did not buy any preschool curriculum for her, we just worked on learning our letters and numbers and lots of fine motor skill activities.  Logan had a few more surgeries, life continued on, and we continued to homeschool.  It was a sacrifice at times, especially financially.  Being a one income family is not easy, especially when that one income is a teacher's salary in Arkansas.

Lillian just fell right into our homeschooling with us. She doesn't enjoy learning or "school" as much as her older brother and sister, she would much rather be playing outside or making jokes. However, she does do well in our homeschool environment. The years have passed by, too quickly I might add, and I continue to homeschool. We continue not only because we never know when we might have another surgery facing us, but also because I love to be with my children. I have been able to witness first hand so many achievements in their lives. I've been able to help them through struggles, joys, hardships, tears, and laughter. I would not change that for the world. It is not all cupcakes and roses.  There are hard times. But we have a relationship I cherish.  I also continue to homeschool because I can devote time in our school to learning about God and His creation.  I can teach science from a biblical standpoint, because I believe everything in the bible to be true. I can teach history through the eyes of the heroic Christians that have changed our world so much.  I can read stories about biblical truths, I can assign reading to my children that reflect virtues of Chirstian living. I can teach them a biblical worldview and encourage them to be strong in the worldview they believe to be true. 

Another reason I really enjoy homeschooling the children, and one of their favorite reasons for being homeschooled, is that I can tailor our curriculum choices for each child's likes and dislikes.  We can take field trips to places that really interest us.  We can study more in depth moments in history if we choose.  We can focus deeply on one particular aspect of science.  We can delve into world wide travel through enriching literature. The choices are limitless.  It is actually quite mind blowing when you get to researching the amount of curriculum out there!  Will we always homeschool?  I don't know.  Right now, we are happy with our choice to continue to homeschool. God's plan is the plan we want to work on. If He continues to urge on and bless our homeschooling journey, we will continue on.  If He has other plans for us in the future, then we will do what He calls us to do.  I do want to add that being a public school teacher did not help me to be a better homeschooling mom. I have just as many doubts and troubles as anyone else. I have found that the best helps in homeschooling come from prayer, and being a mom first.