Top 5 Reasons We Homeschool

I am always getting the "are they all yours" question and I love those.  But, the looks on people's faces when they find out I homeschool are priceless.  Then,  the infamous "why" question always comes up!!  I have never been at a loss for words.  I always have multiple answers for them. So, I decided to jot down the top 5.

1.  CONTROL - It's all about control.  I want to control what my children learn and who they are  learning from.  That of course doesn't just include curriculum,  our kids learn a lot by watching and hearing what goes on around them.

2. FLEXIBILITY - Hubby owns his own business and I've worked off shifts for years in order to avoid the whole child care issues.  Our families live miles away, so dependable child care is impossible.  With our crazy shifts and schedules,  getting them to and from school would have just been crazy.  Plus,  we enjoy vacationing during the "off seasons" much better.  Disney World is so much more fun when it's not super hot and there aren't big crowds.

3. FINANCES -   We had our 3 oldest children in a very good Christian school in this area, but our tuition bill was higher than our mortgage and we decided something had to give.  Public schooling was never an option with our family for personal reasons (I'm not getting on anyone who chooses that option).   So,  we decided to homeschool.

4.  FREEDOM - If we want to do school in our pajamas, we can.  If we don't feel like starting at 8 am, we don't.  If someone is sick,  we don't have to worry about missing a school day, we can make it up on Saturday if need be.  The choices are endless!!

5.  FAMILY - An unusual reason,  I know.  For me,  it's about spending as much time with my children as possible.  Do they drive me crazy some days?  YES!! But,  I wouldn't have it any other way.  Our children grow up so very fast.  If they were all in traditional school settings,  we would be running in so many different directions,  we wouldn't even get to see each other let alone spend quality time together.  Does that mean they don"t get to participate in sports or other activities?? Absolutely not!!  Our boys play football, our oldest daughter will be starting gymnastics in the fall, they participate in church groups/outings, as well as our homeschool group functions.  We stay busy, but imagine 8 hours of school plus homework added to that!!

I love the choice we've made.  Will I continue to homeschool all through high school?  I honestly can't answer that right now.  My oldest will be starting high school and for next year,  the plan is to continue on.  We'll go year by year and see what he wants to do.  The younger ones will continue on at least through 8th grade.  It's not as easy as dropping them off everyday for someone else to teach,  but it is well worth the effort we have to put into it.  Homeschooling isn't for everyone and I realize that.  I don't push it.  I realize it is everyone's individual choice, but we LOVE it!!