I practically get all giddy when I think about homeschooling. I’m often saying to myself or to anyone who will listen that “I wish I had been educated this way”. I think this way of learning brings vibrancy to our lives and opens our eyes to the world around us. It creates a hunger for learning in my children.

So here are just some of the benefits I’ve come to see from homeschooling:

• Quality time with your children

• Individualized education -

  You can tailor fit what they learn to them. Go at that pace of their comprehension- not the state standards. Pick the curriculum that best fits their learning styles. If they show an interest in learning something, invest in that subject.

• Freedom from peer-to-peer comparisons -

  I’m not suggesting that you are completely free from this. We live in the world after all. What I mean is when your child is struggling in a subject they can learn it at their pace without seeing every day how many children in their class already “get it”. We all have our own strengths and weaknesses. Let’s face it. We create unnecessary pressure and obstacles for our children when we insist they must learn something at a certain age.

• You can set the pace of your school day-

  Each state’s requirements for homeschooling are different so you’ll need to check with your state but even with that there is plenty of freedom.

• Co-ops -

  There are so many to choose from or create your own

• If your child has an interest you can invest in it

• Vacation any time of year you want -

  You know the typical spring break traffic and spring break price hikes...you don’t have to live that way anymore!

• Discipleship opportunities -

  We can be and should be intentional about raising our children to know and hopefully love Jesus Christ. The responsibility lies not primarily with the church but with parents. (Deuteronomy 6:6-9)

• Deep conversations pop-up in the most unexpected times -

  Jesus made himself available and you may have heard the phrase “life happens in the interruptions”. There is a lot of truth to that. I’ve had so many amazing conversations with my children just because I’ve been present and available. To have the ear of your child is a treasured gift!

• Pick your curriculum- There are so many wonderful curriculum choices out there.

• Awesome field trips -

  Visit the football factory, see a concert, go hiking, tour a glass factory, go to Gettysburg. The possibilities are so numerous.

• Close relationships with your children

• Nurture the love of learning -

  Schools can have a tendency to crush this at least in some children. You can allow their love of learning to bloom in your home.