So, finally, the post to answer the question that always comes up, why? And I'll tell you!
Patience is our oldest, and all our kids have been public schooled from the get go. Frankly, we like our schools. Nothing (and we mean nothing) is perfect. With both us parents having backgrounds in teaching, and personal experience at various levels with many schooling options, from elite private schools, to Christian schools, to public schools, to international schools, as well as home-schooling, we lack little that would inform us of our options. And we definitely have opinions and educational philosophies to complicate matters.
Theoretically, we think homeschooling is the best for academic instruction. It allows you to tailor the education to the student, personalizing the instruction to meet both interest and need. We have "always" thought this. But it's not necessarily the best option because of other factors, like personalities, time, family needs, family dynamics, and a hundred other reasons. Besides, there is plenty of valuable and even necessary education involved in learning to keep to a schedule, work with others, experience that which the majority of those in our country will experience (at least the idea of "school" and what it entails), and frankly how to toe the line and do what you're told. Our kids have learned a lot - a LOT - of important and critical life skills, as well as academic skills, in their years at our local public schools.
Perhaps the lesson I've learned is that our public schools are a gift. While not perfect, and while academically they may leave my kids with some holes, the teachers are FOR my kids. They want them to learn, they want them to thrive, and they want what's best for them. Our definition of "best" might differ, but I truly believe this about our schools and we have largely been pleased with our children's education thus far.
So why did we bring her home this year? It was for her benefit. Frankly, it was to give her a chance to try it out before high school and see how it went. If it went / goes well (which it has), we'll consider continuing. That's another post. How would this benefit her? In one word, time. She doesn't have the stamina of the "average" child. School (that is the full day public school routine) wears her out. Some people can handle a lot of activity and input, they can balance a lot of spinning plates, and they thrive in that. Some can't. She's on that side of the scale. If she wants to add on activities - like the school musical, babysitting, a dance class, etc, it risks tipping her over the edge. Softball last year really stretched her to the fullest. She has zero intention of doing a high school sport for that reason. I don't think anything could change her mind. She knows her limitations and frankly, is content to say "no" a lot. I am thankful for her contentment, but we wanted to see if homeschooling allowed her the time and opportunity - this one year - to maybe try some new things without tipping her over the edge.
I'm not sure exactly how that's gone because of other things that have come up, like tendonitis, but I think she's been able to consider things she never could before, and she's not dreading softball starting up soon. She's been able to sleep when needed, work her schooling around her desired activities, and doctor appointments, and frankly manage her energy better on the whole. Plus, peripheral benefits, which have been well worth it, are that she's filling in some of the academic holes quite solidly (writing, grammar, and math in particular), which will serve her well in her high school years. She's also been able to earn a little money doing odd jobs, go on a few fun excursions with me (and more to come, we hope!), and generally have instruction tailored to her interests and needs to a much greater degree. Our relationship - we enjoy time together - has definitely been a plus of the homescholing as well, though she is still a teenager and there are many moments (and mornings) which are a challenge for both of us. Working through those has been a blessing and given us a better and stronger relationship. All those things are not the "why" of homeschooling - they're just wonderful by-products.
1 comment:
I Love it!!:-)
G-ma Cook
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