WHY I LIKE HOMESCHOOLING

Reading letters like the one below from HomeschoolFreeStuff strengthens my resolve to homeschool Nikki and Ethan for as long as I possibly can. I only wish everyone in the family were supportive because the criticisms do take a toll on me sometimes. My only comfort is that the boys are doing good and they are happy learning new things everyday.

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Where Did The Joy Of Childhood Go?

"Homeschool? Why would you want to do a thing like that? You brave thing, I would just go insane if I had be with my kids all day, everyday!"

I had to admit that my relationship with my third grade, publicly schooled child was indeed a bit strained more often than I'd care to admit. How was it that my once curious, adoring, delightful daughter had turned into this confrontational, disconnected child? Our home and relationship was once the source of great joy for her and now, in the few hours before and after school each day, home became the source of anger and frustration. Our life had been reduced to fighting over homework, bed-time and rushing off for the next day. "Where are your shoes? Your bus will not wait for you. Let's go now!" Well, no wonder she liked her teachers and friends more than her family. The majority of the week we did spend together was spent together in conflict.

What was wrong with this picture? I was frustrated with the tension school was creating; frustrated with the fact that I was having to teach her in our short time together all of the things that she was supposed to be learning in school; frustrated with the fact that my once excelling child was making little academic progress. I sorely missed the leisurely, fulfilling and productive time that we used to spend together. Just as vacation would be coming to an end we would be getting back those "old feelings" and then BANG, back to school and the same old grind.

I suddenly came to the conclusion that we all needed a break! The break for us would be a year off. A break from the public school, a time for the family to reconnect, time to build up academic confidence and time to just have fun! I'm still very new at this homeschool thing, but I have to admit that it's everything I had hoped for and more. We are having fun, we are making academic progress, we are closer than we've been in years and we are all happy! Wow, what a concept.

I am thrilled and blessed! As I write this, my daughters are out running around in first snow of the year having the time of their lives. Their peers are currently sitting in their windowless classrooms with hours left of their school day. Soon they will all be headed home to homework and their overscheduled lives. My kids, meanwhile, will be coming in soon to sit by a warm fire and have some hot chocolate!

~Melanie J.~