| What does homeschooling mean to me? It has | | | | with something, we can slow down to make sure |
| become such an integral part of who we are as | | | | they master it. And I know right away when |
| a family, that it would be difficult to | | | | they need more help. Problems are not hidden |
| analyze it separately. It truly has become | | | | until they become major issues; we can take |
| our way of life.Homeschooling means I spend | | | | care of them right away. I know and love my |
| more time with my children - all of them, not | | | | children better than anyone else, so their |
| just the little ones. My older kids attended | | | | success is paramount.Homeschooling means my |
| a "regular" school for several years before | | | | older kids get to see the younger ones grow |
| we started homeschooling, and I always felt | | | | and develop. They were just as amazed to hear |
| out of touch with what was going on in their | | | | the youngest laugh for the first time as I |
| lives. We were growing apart, both | | | | was. Everyone is learning more about child |
| figuratively and literally. Why has society | | | | care, and patience, and putting the needs of |
| accepted that parents should want to be with | | | | others ahead of their own. These are life |
| the babies and toddlers, but once the kids | | | | skills that are important for |
| reach school age, we're supposed to prefer to | | | | anyone.Homeschooling means a more relaxed |
| not have them around? I didn't have children | | | | daily schedule - OUR schedule - which results |
| in order to send them off to spend their day | | | | in less stress. Our day is flexible; we can |
| with some other adult. I didn't feel that way | | | | schedule appointments at less busy times. We |
| when they were born, and I don't feel that | | | | don't have to get up before dawn to catch a |
| way today. I deeply enjoy each and every one | | | | bus at 6:50 am. I really don't think anyone |
| of my children, and I love having them with | | | | should have to be out of bed while it is |
| me every day.Homeschooling means we are free | | | | still dark out. :)Homeschooling means more |
| to discuss our faith openly, and apply it to | | | | free time to pursue other activities. We can |
| all areas of life and study. God is not | | | | finish a day's work in less time since we |
| relegated to only Sunday school, or even only | | | | don't have to continually organize a |
| Religion class. History is full of | | | | classroom of 20 or 30 students, or spend time |
| faith-filled people whose actions and ideas | | | | walking up and down long |
| were directly related to their faith, | | | | hallways.Homeschooling means we can visit |
| including the founding fathers of our | | | | DisneyWorld during the off-peak times, |
| country. I really don't see how one could | | | | instead of fighting crowds of people stuck to |
| teach about how America began without | | | | school vacation schedules.Homeschooling |
| mentioning God. Science is in reality a study | | | | means, on the other hand, living in a house |
| of God's creation. How can one look at such | | | | that is never quite all clean. Having six |
| an amazing world and not appreciate the | | | | children home all day, every day, creates |
| Source of all? Writing and reading can | | | | more mess (especially in the kitchen), and |
| include faith-related topics. When dealing | | | | makes it more difficult to keep up with the |
| with discipline issues, God and His teachings | | | | cleaning, laundry, etc. It doesn't bother me |
| can be included in the discussions. It would | | | | as much as it did at first, because I had to |
| seem unnatural for a person of any faith to | | | | set priorities. The education and growth of |
| spend their entire day forbidden to mention | | | | my children come first. They do help with |
| their God.Homeschooling means I have an | | | | chores, but not at the expense of schoolwork. |
| incredibly open and close relationship with | | | | Every couple of days, when I reach my limit, |
| my two teenagers. They will talk to me about | | | | everyone takes a break and cleans up. But |
| anything, and are not embarassed to be seen | | | | until they all move out, there will still be |
| with me or our whole family. We laugh | | | | some mess.Homeschooling means I can slow down |
| together, and actually enjoy each other's | | | | and live in the present moment when |
| company. My sixteen-year-old daughter and | | | | necessary. I have grown to really appreciate |
| fourteen-year-old son have become great | | | | the time I have with my younger children, |
| friends to each other. They have not been | | | | taking a few minutes at any time to watch |
| made to feel that parents are irrelevant, or | | | | them take such joy in each new skill they |
| the enemy. More time together means we know | | | | learn. I definitely feel less rushed since we |
| each other much better.Homeschooling means I | | | | started homeschooling, and I am able to be |
| know, and select, which books my children | | | | there for each small, yet monumental moment |
| read and learn from. I am also aware of, and | | | | in the life of a child.Homeschooling means, |
| guide, the topics of discussion. I don't have | | | | in short, more time and opportunity to fully |
| to wonder what "life lessons" they are | | | | live out my vocation of motherhood.[Please |
| picking up at recess, on the school bus, or | | | | don't misconstrue my words to imply that |
| even in class. I choose when they learn | | | | these things are not possible for anyone who |
| certain things, when they are ready (and it | | | | does not homeschool. This has been a |
| has been at a different age for each of | | | | discussion of what homeschooling means to ME. |
| them). I plan and direct their education, a | | | | Every family is unique; every family has |
| level of involvement which is very important | | | | their own path to follow in finding what is |
| to me.Homeschooling means my children can | | | | best for them.]Cynthia Brandolini has been |
| progress through their studies at their own | | | | educating her own children at home since |
| pace. When they learn something quickly, they | | | | 2000. |
| can just move on. When they need more time | | | | |