10 Reasons To Be Thankful for Homeschooling

With each new school year, I always find renewed energy and vision for homeschooling. Rather than wait until Thanksgiving or when the blahs of winter kick in (when it seems to make sense to write a post about why I’m thankful for homeschooling), I thought I’d harness this joyful beginning-of-the-school-year energy to list all those reasons now.

You’ve heard about these reasons before, but it never hurts to be reminded! I’m pinning this article to my homeschool encouragement board, so I remember to read it this February – when it never seems to fail that homeschooling doesn’t seem nearly as fresh or fun!

You can listen to this post if you prefer!

Why I’m Thankful for Homeschooling

1. I have the time and freedom to disciple my children. 

Nothing is more important to me than passing on my Christian faith, and homeschooling is a wonderful, beautiful opportunity to do this. These two articles share a bit about my Christian training methods.

2. I really know my children (their habits, preferences, learning styles) and am getting to know them (their hearts, hopes, and fears). 

The relationship I have with them because of homeschooling is something I wouldn’t trade for the world. Not every day is perfect or joyful, but every day spent with them is precious.

3. My children can pursue their passions.

Each one of them has unique interests and talents that, quite frankly, would likely be pushed aside (or at least not pursued in depth) if they followed the typical daily school schedule. Because of the nature of homeschooling, regular lessons are mostly finished by early afternoon, leaving lots of time to indulge in passions.

This article demonstrates how to fit passion learning into your schedule.

4. I can teach to their learning styles. 

I have three children, and each responds best to a different learning style. One is all about literature and can soak up loads and loads of information through books. Another takes in information best when presented in ways he can experience it – hands-on, through movement, visually, etc. And the other (at least right now) seems to learn best via technology. While I don’t teach everything in ways that meet their needs perfectly – because I think it’s important to stretch them – I have the time and freedom to design an education specifically for them. No cookie cutters here!

Math is one subject in which ALL my children have benefited from modifications to meet their learning styles.

5. We can get outside for school. 

I remember my days in the public school classroom when the sun shone, the weather was perfect, and I was stuck inside. I wanted so badly to take all those precious children outside to do school lessons because they wanted to enjoy the weather as much as I did. It wasn’t practical then, but it is now! 

We’ve been known to do lessons in hammocks, porch swings, tree forts, under trees, and by the pond. Walking is a good way to take a break from a bad day. The fresh air, sunshine, and exercise of outdoor learning are SO good for all of us!

Nature study is a special (and important) way to learn outdoors!

6. I can teach courses that may or may not be taught in other situations. 

In 8th grade, I took a 6-week elective logic class and loved it! That was the only time I studied logic in school. Now that I realize how vital formal and informal logic instruction is, I find it sad that most children will never thoroughly study it. But…as a homeschool mom, I get to add excellent, rich subjects like this!

Here’s an intro to our logic lessons in K-12.

7. We can learn as a family. 

When my oldest two (3 years apart) were in elementary and middle school, almost all our science and history studies were done together. We also spent hours and hours together reading (and listening to) living literature. Still today, with kids much farther apart, we study the Bible together each day, play learning games, take field trips, and serve others together. Learning in our house is a family affair in many ways.

Unit studies are great for multi-age family learning.

8. Higher-order thinking is easy to incorporate in homeschooling. 

I sometimes teach professional development workshops for public school teachers in Kentucky. Our state is currently working on new educational standards, and I heard about them at the last event I attended. The discussion focused heavily on a “new idea” of inquiry-based learning – where students will be encouraged to ask questions, find answers, and present those answers in unique modes that demonstrate depth of understanding. That’s exactly what’s been going on in our homeschool for years and years through project-based learning! It was so good to know that cutting-edge philosophies in the mainstream have been encouraged in our home from the very beginning.

What is project-based learning?  You’ll love it!

9. We can read lots of living literature. 

You know I love books. My kids love books. Even the one who prefers not to read still loves listening to books. Homeschooling has given us time to read. Lots of time to read. And it’s been wonderful!

Find our favorite books by subject on this page.

10. I can watch them grow. 

Time is fleeting and my children are changing every time I blink. I’m incredibly grateful to have the privilege of watching them grow up, change, and flourish. I’m thankful beyond measure. (Even on the bad days.)

Why are you thankful for homeschooling?

I hope you’ll take a few minutes to write your own top 10 list to describe why you’re thankful for homeschooling. Look back on your list as often as possible to remember the blessings in your opportunity!