Eight Reasons Not to Homeschool

1. It's addictive.
2. It's too much fun.
3. It's too practical.
4. It's too relaxing and peaceful.
5. The kids learn too much.
6. Mom learns too much.
7. It can ruin you for "regular" schools.

This morning, during homeschool band practice for Jason on the clarinet, at which he signed up for a solo for the semester concert, Emily and I worked on her math and language arts in the car. Once home, we all worked some more on problem solving, spelling, grammar and composition. Emily practiced reciting her memorized poem for the oral reports day this Friday with another group of homeschoolers.

Come lunch time, the kids played happily upstairs while I made lunch between glimpses of the crackling fire in the hearth. Then we spread out a golden, waterproof tablecloth in front of the fire and ate a picnic accompanied by soft Christmas music. We reviewed the name of those tubes in celery that drink up water to become firmer (xylem). We drank mulled cider home-spiced with cinnamon sticks and whole cloves. We ate turkey sandwiches with leftovers from Thanksgiving, and some pumpkin pie with homemade whipped cream made by Dad last night (we discovered it lasts fine overnight, which we didn't know).

We'll continue with our studies at the dining room table in a few minutes, still able to gaze at the fire while thinking or discussing literature. We'll cover the Hagia Sophia in Constantinopolis in 2nd grade history, and continue the American Revolutionary War in 5th grade. Later this afternoon Emily has her piano lesson across the street.

8. It's not perfect.

Most days aren't as idyllic as the past few hours. To be sure there is plenty of inter-sibling arbitration required every single day ("You're taking more than half the tablecloth!"). Some days I lose my temper and speak more harshly than necessary...verbal lashings like a whip on a horse just to get the kids in the car (there has got to be a better way to do that...). Sometimes I worry about the future, as the kids progress to more elevated grades. I don't know how long I will homeschool. I am taking it one year at a time, listening for guidance from God as to what He wants us to do. For now I feel at peace with this path He's led us down. "Led" is a bit weak of a word, really. It was much stronger than that. Herded is more like it.

Comments

[Julie]

Wow, this is wonderful. I agree although we have not yet enjoyed such a beautiful picnic during our days...got to go start ours now!

[Christine]

I could almost taste the turkey sandwich you just described...We had a delightful Thanksgiving (twice -- once at home with chicken and family; once at a friend's with a Butterball!).

Your homeschooling experience sounds great. Yes, I know the harsh communication that happens in our home, too, when all you really want to do is go outside...