Why do people homeschool? Well, hmm…I have two answers for you. The first is for people who are challenging my audacity to teach my children. The second answer is for current or potential homeschoolers who really want to have a deep conversation about it. Both answers are true! Here’s our story.
The First Answer
So, first answer: My piano teaching hours were 3:00 to 8/9:00ish… If I had sent my toddlers to daycare, I’d have to work more hours in order to pay for the tuition. They’d be away from me during the day when I didn’t have to work, and then they’d be home during my working hours. So homeschool makes a lot of sense! I also mention that have a degree in elementary education.
(Side note, the degree in elem ed is not necessary to homeschool and actually has been a difficult mindset to break out of. But for this first group of people who are wondering how I have the audacity to homeschool, it’s a satisfactory answer.)
The Second Answer
Like many who have taught in the public schools and chosen to home educate, I just knew that I wanted a more personalized education for my children. I wanted them to have a lot of time with family with a little bit of seatwork and a LOT of time for free play and field trips.
My parents brought me up with an intense appreciation for music, dance, art, theater, books, and travel, but it was done in the leftover hours, after public school and all the homework. When my oldest kids (twins) were toddlers, I was introduced to the Charlotte Mason philosophy of education and I knew it was the liberal arts, science of relations, type of education that I wanted for my children.
Lastly, but most importantly, we homeschool because there is no separation of church and state for us. All of the beauty of everything that we learn reminds us of the wonder of the divine. And I want to be here for every minute of it.