My personal list of reasons

There are about as many reasons for homeschooling as there are homeschoolers.

Most of us have multiple reasons. But in casual conversation, we don't have time to share the big long list.

So here it is, the longest list I could come up with for why we personally homeschool. Well make that, the longest list I could come up with in the five minutes I had before dashing out the door.

1. I can't wake up early enough for regular schools. This is generally my short answer when asked by anyone. In a way it is almost a joking response. Not that I don't feel folk deserve a real one, just that it is easily understandable. No one likes waking their kids up for school. I honestly hate morning's. I like the sun to be up before I am, regardless of season. I have found my children wake up on their own around 10-12 hours after they go to bed (depending on child, general health, age, and recent sleep). So if I wanted to be able to get them off to school without losing their much needed sleep I would have to tuck them in between 5 and 7! I just can't see anything a school offers being worth that. As it is, bedtime is about 8, with the late night Tuesday of 9. Not that we are never up early. We make AM appointments, and have several reoccurring morning activities (church, piano lessons, and weekend scouting). I do sometimes need to wake them up for these events, and aside from the initial sleepy eyes I have little complaints from them. (Now if only I could learn to go to bed earlier!)

2. I refuse to wait till any particular age to teach I taught my older three to read when they asked me, I didn't say they were to young, I didn't say they had to wait for school, and I never will. I know that when we talk about space Dude understands more than Little Man. I also know that Little man still learned something, and what else was I going to do with that time? I see no reason to kick younger children out of learning, just because they will need a review later on. Each time a concept is laid out for children their brain tucks it away, maybe it clicks and they understand or remember it, or maybe it is just background information. Either way I will answer any and all questions when asked. This means my kids generally know more than the 'average' child. Not in all areas, and nothing so impressive scientists are swooping in for studies. My children are perfectly normal, but they would be VERY bored in a 'regular' school.

Oh and the flip side of the coin, I refuse to assume that because Dude tests in most areas well above third grade, I should insist he write as well as the average third grader. I ask him to try his best, and I expect improvement. I will not waste (much)worry, nor bother him (much) over his handwriting.

3. Education is so efficient at home This is actually my number one reason. (now why wasn't I smart enough to put it first?) I can keep them all 'up to standards' in very little time, an hour or two a day. Well often less; after all they are all beyond 'standard' and I only use an hour or two to do it, when I am in the mood. And then use all that other time in the day for so many important lessons. Including free time. While I may not always have access to all the 'free' (tax supported) art and music and sports. I do have plenty of time to find alternatives. Between co-op (art and music), scouts (sports, leadership and plenty other good things), chores (responsibility, life skills) and church (fellowship, charity, and music) I have filled many typical extras that school offers, and I STILL have hours of free time. No make that my kids have hours of free time! I on the other hand am very busy! But that is not a fault of homeschooling, it is a fault of my not knowing how to say no.

4. I have less safety concerns at home When we used to have network TV, we would turn it on every night to catch some ad for a newstory about which school in the area had a lockdown today. There wasn't a single night going by that a school didn't need to call the cops. I just don't see children as needing that kind of exposure. I know some schools manage not to need police daily, but I also know every school has issues. From stories of bullying to drugs, schools are rife with average American problems. My house may not be perfect, and I certainly am not the most patient teacher, but at least I can in general assure my children's health and safety. Not that I will lock them in a bubble, on the contrary they are out and about in many different activities.

5. I can freely discuss religion Even Private Christian schools are constrained in what they may discuss. Not only are we free practice our faith at any time, I can also talk about paganism, or Judaism, or any other religion, without worry that my children are getting a twisted view (for or against).