Education is a big part of my life. Both of my parents were teachers who encouraged focusing on school and learning more than anything else. I never in my wildest dreams thought that I would homeschool my own children. But life can throw you curve balls that you would never expect.
That curve ball came when we started full-time traveling in our 5th wheel camper. At that time our boys were 5 and 6. My husband's job as a pipeline inspector would last from 6-12 months in different areas. This meant we would be putting our boys in and out of schools every move. We knew this wasn't something we wanted for our boys' education. But I also wasn't sure I wanted to be in charge of teaching my own kids! This scared me more than anything.
After MUCH research and prayer, homeschooling turned out to be our best option. This would eliminate the unknown of where our kids would go to school and what they would be learning. Read on for even more about why I chose homeschooling.
A Tailored Approach to Learning
One of the primary reasons I chose homeschooling is the ability to tailor my children's education to their unique needs and learning styles. Traditional schools often follow a one-size-fits-all approach, but every child is different, with their own passions, strengths, and challenges. If you are a parent of multiple kids, I'm sure you can agree that no child is the same. My two are no different. The way one learns is definitely NOT the same as the other. Homeschooling allows us to explore various teaching methods and curricula to find what resonates best with each child, ensuring that they receive an education that caters to their individuality.
Fostering a Love for Learning
Learning should be a joyous and exciting experience, and I believe homeschooling can offer just that. By creating a nurturing and supportive learning environment at home, I hope to foster a love for learning in my children. We have the freedom to delve deeper into subjects they are passionate about (like history) and take a flexible approach to adapt to their interests. Whether it's exploring art, music, science experiments, or embarking on exciting field trips, homeschooling allows us to make learning an adventure. For us, learning happened while we were road schooling in our 5th wheel around the country. We would have never experienced this if my boys were in school.
Stronger Family Bonds
One of our MUSTS when my husband started as a pipeline inspector was, we didn't want for him to travel without us. Family is very important to us. Homeschooling allowed us to stay together on the road. Spending more time together during the day allows for meaningful interactions and shared experiences that traditional school hours may not permit. This sense of togetherness is invaluable, and I cherish the opportunity to witness my children's growth and progress firsthand. I have so many memories I wouldn't have with them if we didn't homeschool.
Flexibility and Individual Pace
Life is full of unexpected moments and events, and homeschooling provides the flexibility to adapt to these changes. We had to be extremely flexible while living on the road. Whether it meant taking a break for us to move and settle into a new area, spending extra time on a challenging topic, or accelerating learning in areas of particular interest, we have the freedom to set our own pace. This flexibility ensures that my children's education is not bound by rigid schedules but instead tailored to what works best for them and us as a family.
Nurturing a Safe Learning Environment
In a home environment, I can ensure that my children learn in a safe and comfortable space where they feel encouraged to express themselves freely. The absence of peer pressure or negative influences allows them to focus on their studies and personal growth without distraction.
Instilling Core Values and Beliefs
As parents, we naturally want to instill our core values and beliefs in our children. With homeschooling, I have the opportunity to incorporate our family values into the curriculum and discussions, helping my children develop a strong moral compass and sense of responsibility. We've been able to include Bible study and have had many deep discussions about God.
Embracing Lifelong Learning
Homeschooling isn't just about academic achievements; it's about nurturing a passion for lifelong learning. By teaching my children how to be curious, inquisitive, and self-motivated, I hope to prepare them for a future where learning never stops.
Ultimately, the decision to homeschool my children was driven by a desire to provide a personalized, nurturing, and flexible learning environment while we traveled together as a family. Homeschooling is not without its challenges, the rewards have been numerous, and I'm excited to continue to witness my children's educational journey unfold.
If you homeschool, I'd love to hear why you chose homeschooling in the comments below. Check out my next post about what curriculum I chose and why HERE.
Please don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions about homeschooling. I'd be happy to help you out. Join my e-mail list below for even more updates coming.
Thank you for reading. God Bless you!
