Why do families homeschool? That’s like asking the question, “Why do families live in Orlando, Florida” or “Why do families have certain standards?” Each family has a different reason or reasons for all of these questions! If you ask 1,000 homeschooling parents why they choose to homeschool, while you may get some similar answers, I can guarantee you won’t find two families that have identical feelings about it.
no reason
That does not mean, however, that explaining “why” is impossible. Although each family has a different answer to this question, many of the reasons are similar. Maybe it’s about family values. Perhaps it has to do with a child’s particular learning style. Maybe it’s about time: time together and time to learn things that are important to the child. Or maybe it’s just the choice of curriculum.
The homeschooling adventure begins with a different approach for each family, but the benefits are widespread: parents as value creators, personalized curriculum, achievement of individual goals, and closer family ties.
Top 35 Reasons Families Homeschool
Still wondering why? Here are the top 35 reasons why others choose to homeschool. Which ones resonate with you?
1. Spend more time together as a family.
2. Spend more time with children when they are rested and refreshed instead of tired and cranky from school.
3. Avoid having to fight for the children to do the tedious work.
4. Allow children time for deeper study than is allowed at school.
5. Allow children to learn at their own pace, not too slow and not too fast.
6. Allow children to work at a level that is appropriate for their own stage of development. Skills and concepts can be introduced at the right time for that child.
7. Provide long, uninterrupted blocks of time for writing, reading, playing, thinking, or working so that the child can engage in sophisticated and complex thought processes and activities.
8. Encourage the child to develop the ability to control their own pace.
9. Spend a lot of time outdoors.
10. Children learn to help more with household chores, developing a sense of personal responsibility. More time spent on household responsibilities strengthens family ties because people become more committed to the things they’ve invested in (in this case, working for the family).
11. Children learn life skills, like cooking, naturally by spending time with adults who participate in those activities.
12. There is time available for other non-academic activities, such as art or music.
13. Children will learn to design their own education and take responsibility for it.
14. Children will realize that learning can take place in a wide variety of ways.
15. Children will learn to seek help from many alternative sources, instead of relying on a classroom teacher to provide all the answers.
16. A more relaxed and less busy lifestyle is possible when families do not feel the need to supplement school during after-school hours and on weekends.
17. Learning can be more efficient as methods can be used to suit a child’s particular learning style.
18. Children can learn to work for internal satisfaction rather than external rewards.
19. Children will not be motivated to “take the easy way out” by doing enough work to satisfy their teacher. They will learn to be their own judges of the quality of their own work.
20. Children will be more willing to take risks and be creative since they don’t have to worry about embarrassing themselves in front of their peers.
21. Peer pressure will be reduced.
22. Social interactions will be by choice and based on common interests. Friends can be more varied, not just with the child’s chronological age group of peers who go to the same school.
23. Field trips can be taken much more frequently and can be much more enjoyable and productive when not taken with a large school group.
24. Volunteer service activities can be included in the family’s regular schedule.
25. Scheduling can be flexible, allowing less expensive and less crowded off-peak travel.
26. Special religious and family days can be planned and celebrated.
27. Feedback on children’s work will be immediate and appropriate. It can be much more useful than just marking wrong answers or giving grades.
28. The test is optional.
29. Qualification is unnecessary. Understanding and knowledge are the rewards for studying, rather than grades (or stickers, or teacher approval, etc.).
30. Children can be guided consistently in a family’s values and can learn them by seeing and participating in the parents’ daily lives.
31. Children will learn to devote their energy and time to activities that THEY think are worthwhile.
32. Kids don’t have to wait until they’re older to start seriously exploring their passions; they can start living now.
33. Children’s education can be more complete than that offered by schools.
34. Children with special needs will be encouraged to reach their full potential.
35. Children will be safer from gangs, drugs and weapons.
1-2-3…Count the benefits
1. Benefits of socialization: What? This is the main reason people say you shouldn’t homeschool! However, I maintain that homeschooling offers socialization benefits that public schools cannot. By participating in community life, homeschooled children become comfortable with a wide variety of people. They are not age-segregated all day and therefore can interact with people of all ages. Many people who come into contact with homeschooled children comment on how easy it is to talk to them.
2. Less stress: Yes, homeschooling can be stressful, but it’s stress that can be managed by what you do at home. Those who homeschool find the lack of stress from nightly homework a huge relief! Add to that the fact that the schedules are more flexible, no bus departures and arrivals, no specific attendance days, no particular hours, and you will definitely find a less stressful atmosphere.
3. Teach the child: A homeschooled child can be taught in the best way for the child. They can learn the things that interest them most and develop talents in ways that are not possible in the limited structure of public school. Home education encourages the development of the child’s own individuality.
This is just a sample of the benefits of homeschooling. There are many, many more. The benefits are as individualistic as the reasons for homeschooling. Why? Because no two homeschooling families are the same!
