Why we have chosen to homeschool

I wrote this a year ago while driving to a homeschooling music get together with friends - my kids were at school at the time.  I was trying to get my head around 'why homeschool?'

To complete things  - because the school bell isn't about to ring.

To become best friends – again!

To explore – because they have the time.

To learn for the love of it  - not because its being marked.

To not be fearful of being picked on - because that's not an emotionally healthy environment to be constantly in.

To be free to express themselves - because no one is watching.

To learn around the house and garden - because that's the new school.

To spend time with family - because that's what matters.

To have an attitude of learning  - because school is no longer 9:00-3:00 but everywhere all of the time.

To learn to cook - because lunch is no longer a packed sandwich.

To learn in all parts of the home and in all parts of the day  - because learning is an attitude not an activity.

To learn to …… while homeschooling - because learning is a function of interest, not of age.

Why this blog

I am a reluctant blogger - at times even a terrified blogger.  After all the years of thinking about homeschooling , then deciding to actually go ahead (albeit only for one year), thinking about curriculum, and what it will all actually look like, the only thing that has scared me, (and it really has!) in this whole process, is the thought of blogging.  Why you may ask.....

Because

I'm terrified of writing. 

I can't spell.

On the rare occasion that I do write for myself, it's always in point form.

And the real reason...I would be very distressed if I offended, even slightly, someone I love.

The amount of time it takes to proof read a blog littered with grammatical and spelling errors (post added, after I finished writing this entry LOL :)

For someone who is been considered quite strong and opinionated, I tend to only give my opinion if it is asked for, or in circles that it will be received. 

I keep realising that parts of my thought life are for all intense purposes now on a billboard on display by the side of the road, for all to see - can you see why I'm terrified?

I am so incredibly thankful to the homeschooling families that I know, who have inspired me to take the plunge, but also to the homeschooling bloggers out there who have allowed me the privilege of looking into their lives and learning from them. It is for this reason, and to organise a rather scattered brain, that I (now) blog.

So to all of you who know me (note the assumption that most/all of my readers will be people I know LOL), if any of my journey/choices/focus is different from yours, it is in no way a criticism of the choices you have made. Please know that I love you.

In conclusion, this blog is for my own personal reference, but in doing so, I hope to help others (is that conceit or folly I hear laughing in the background?) and keep a running journal of a year with the kids...at home.