I am a home schooling mom. Some people immediately picture a long haired, hippy chick who doesn’t shave under her arms. That’s not me. (Although that does describe my cousin) Other people probably are picturing me in a long skirt and a bun with a dozen kids trailing behind me. Again, not me. You could say I’m not the typical home school mom – mainly because there is no typical when it comes to home schooling. We come from every walk of life imaginable. Every economic or financial level is represented. Every religious and denominational background had been covered. Every age, size family, and type of family is firmly represented in the home schooling community, and the ranks are growing.
In 2003 there were an estimated 1,700,000 to 2,100,000 children that were benefiting from the home school experience. It continues to be one of the largest growing educational forms in the United States.
The reasons why people choose to home school are as varied as the kind of people who choose this life style. For some, the child is the driving factor, wanting to know more and know it faster. For some, it is the political elements of the school systems, what is being taught and why. For me and my family it was a prayerful decision that this was the best way to raise and educate the children (and mom).
On a typical day (as typical as any of our days can get) we start our school after dad leaves for school himself (he is a public school teacher – just one of the many things that keeps us from the ordinary). The boys each do spelling words, some math, some English work sheets, and a fun sheet or two. We also take time to read out loud from a history book, a science book, and an animal book. There is even time for Morning Prayer and a bible study.
On a not so typical day we do other things. Some times we take field trips to research or see what we have been studying. During hurricane Ivan, the boys tracked the hurricane on a weather map, plotting its direction, and learned the weather essentials for a hurricane. Recently, they took the time to watch the Robert’s nomination hearings (quite a sacrifice for boys of eight and six).
Actually school time is only part of our experience. At least once a week we gather with other families from around the community for a play day. The kids have free play where they can hike together, throw balls, run, jump, and just have fun. Some play days are at local parks, some are at gyms, some are at homes. Each outing offers new friends and new experiences.
There are even opportunities for the mothers to get together. Bible studies are held in homes, churches, and community centers around the area. It’s another time for the children to play, and it is a time for the mom’s to lift up and support one another. There are also Mother’s Nights, where we meet at a local restaurant or home to discuss up coming events and to help each other with any situations that might have come up (we’ve also been know to just enjoy ourselves).
There are many questions I get when people find out that the children and I home school. Often, women wonder how I spend so much time with the kids and stay sane. Sometimes I wonder that myself. After the boys do school, they have free time. They play board games together, cards, and build with blocks. They also take time out to read. If the weather is nice, they even spend time playing outside. They look for rocks, bugs, and creepy crawlers that we then identify (it all ties back to school).
“How can you afford it?” is another question that I’ve faced more than once. Giving up my income to stay home with my children full time was not an easy choice. Living off a teacher’s income is not always easy. The pay offs that I get by being with my children, learning with my children, and growing with my children is priceless. How could I afford not to do it? For the record, all home schooling expenses are paid for out of pocket. There are no tax incentives, write offs, or supplements. Every cent we pay in taxes is never seen in the home schooling forum.
Many people expressed concern about socialization, especially when I first expressed interest in home schooling. It was even a concern I had myself (and it still manages to creep up on me now and again). I know that in a traditional school setting the boys would be surrounded by twenty or thirty kids their own age every day. In our setting, it is most likely the two of them. The play days, field trips, and other events give them opportunities to meet people they would never other wise encounter; people from different towns, different ages, and different backgrounds. The multiple age issue has been the greatest benefit I have seen. Watching kids ages 5 to 13 playing together and having fun is a real treat. The older ones hone their leadership skills by helping and teaching the younger ones while the younger ones learn about following and listening. This is a situation that could never occur in the traditional school setting.
There are more questions (there are always questions) and there are more benefits. Being able to take time to go into a court room and watch a local court case is not something every family can do. Having time to do Christmas crafts for friends and family is not something everyone has. Being able to schedule a vacation to coincide with a study book is not usually in most people’s plans. Knowing exactly what my child is learning, when, and how is the best reason of all that I have to take the time, money, energy, and patience to school my child at home.