Freedom Homeschooling Brings?

Would these be good reasons to homeschool?

• provide intimate learning relationship between children & parents
• nurture a child’s love to learn
  

  a unique hollow log “garden” with wild flowers, moss and mushrooms that my 12-year-old created one afternoon

• maintain a “one-life” unity of life & learning
• encourage spiritual discipleship
• nurture character mentorship
• do school in pajamas, or comfy clothes
• start school as early or as late as suits you and your family
• do short official school lessons – sometimes 5 to 10 minutes!
• finish all school work after just a few hours of work
• lazily read under a tree or snuggled up on a couch instead of filling in workbooks
• focus on arts, creativity and “non-essential” subjects
• progress in maths, spelling and writing at their own pace
• it is tailor-made for each child
• meets the dynamic needs of the children as they develop
• live free of peer-pressure, bullying and labelling
• allow children to be unique and different
• express unusual and unpopular thoughts and views
• focus on life skills, family business, hobbies, and entrepreneurial activities rather than grades and standards
• reduce stress – no need to drive through pre-school traffic
• save on costs – no school fees, fund-raisers, uniforms, long stationary lists
  

  nurturing a baby wild hare rescued in the fields

• eat healthy food instead of school lunches
• house-cleaning, cooking, baking, gardening, chores and routine is all part of school
• encourage a new creative flair and foster a passion or interest
• provide the opportunities for entrepreneurship and young businesses
• provide and nurture relationships with all ages, all types of people
• become missions-orientated
• connect with community and the needy
• get involved with church, ministry or charity

Yes!  All these and more!

I see most of these homeschooling choices as the freedom that homeschooling brings.

When the kids are small, it makes perfect sense to homeschool. And it is fun, free-style and fabulous!

Over the past few years we have had to change our homeschool emphasis as we navigate the High School years.  There are now time and subject requirements.  Learning takes longer, and lessons are more academic.  My high school children have to learn how to study for and write exams.

My role changed from the mom-learning-alongside in discovery and delight, to the tutor-mom.

I now focus on specific subjects with my high school children, teaching maths, or geography or subjects that are more academic.

Generally my high schoolers manage their learning and work quite independently.  I sometimes feel nostalgic. I long for those warm, intimate learning days.

So enjoy the early years!

Take your time!

Look for tadpoles and watch butterflies.

Read, read, read aloud.

Do art, singing and poetry.

Make the time for the fine arts.

Go on educational outings, take trips, plan those picnics.

Enjoy your homeschooling!

What freedoms do you enjoy most in your homeschooling? Feel free to share in the comments.

Blessings,

This post was written and submitted for the upcoming South African Carnival of Homeschooling’s topic ~ ‘Beyond Homeschooling‘