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Parents aren’t the only fans of homeschooling! Many homeschooling kids can list reasons they love being homeschooled also. Is homeschooling perfect, full of rainbows and lollipops? No, obviously, but here are some things that make it pretty great for the student.
1. Relaxed dress code
Most people like being able to wear what they want, and staying home allows the luxury of flexibility. Kira and I typically stay in pajama pants most of the day, and you know what? I’m okay with that. Some days I wish we cared more, but there are far more important things I wish to accomplish instead. The only thing I take issue with is when she complains about having to get dressed. If I don’t hear complaints, I won’t complain about the lack of presentable clothes.
2. Weekday sleepovers
Homeschooling kids tend to have a couple other homeschooled friends. Why not have a sleepover on a Tuesday and have a school day together? An added bonus is that mama gets a little break from school for the day also! Kira has been great about making sure she still gets all her work done because she knows that if she doesn’t get her work done, then the weekday sleepovers will end. Hubby used to do extra work Monday through Thursday and then take Friday off to have a full weekend sleepover with his best friend, too.
3. Flexible schedule
Whether it’s sports, or wanting to take a vacation, it’s really nice to be able to leave whenever you want. Go ahead and take your vacation from Sunday to Thursday when hotel rates are cheaper! We love that we can go to any tournament-edition/”>fencing tournament our finances will allow, without having to worry about truancy laws, or piling up the work while we are supposed to be on a vacation.
4. Make your own daily schedule
When I asked Kira what she likes best about homeschooling, she mentioned how she can choose the order in which she does her subjects. I never really thought it was that big of a deal, but I suppose when much of your life is dictated by someone else, any bit of choice feels pretty great. We talk about what works and what doesn’t to build some guidelines, but overall, she has control over what her day looks like.
5. Explore personal interests
As is becoming common knowledge, homeschooling kids can explore further into areas that interest them. Maybe your student is really interested in ancient art pieces, or wants to learn all there is to know about horses. Go for it! You can focus your work on things that interest them, and support that innate love of learning that we all have.
6. Shorter work day
Since there isn’t really any down time to walk from one class to another, or to pass out paperwork, homeschool has become notorious for the significantly shorter work days. Through most of elementary school, many homeschool families are done with any book work by lunch time. Even in high school, you may have very similar hours as the local traditional school, but there is nearly no work that needs to be done in the evening. All that extra time is free to do whatever you want!
7. Have a say in how things are taught
Ever have a teacher that just didn’t speak your language (figuratively)? Or a book where you were desperately trying to learn something, but it just went in one ear and out the other because it was presented in an odd fashion? While you don’t want to do a curriculum hop each year, you have full reign to ditch something that isn’t working in order to find something that works better. Kira loves that she gets a choice in what curriculum we use based on her strengths. The point is to learn the material, not just to complete a book that won awards.
8. Spend more time with family
More time together means a closer relationship. Kira gets to be an active part of her little siblings’ lives instead of a visitor each evening.
9. Work wherever you want
What teen wouldn’t like taking their bike to the nearest coffee shop, bringing their laptop, and sipping on a hot chocolate while working? It’s independence, feeling grown up, and getting some quiet time. It’s a win-win-win.
10. Daytime opportunities
Build up experience and volunteer hours during the day, or shadow someone in their goal career, or just get a part time job. With the vast majority of kids in school, there’s very little competition for available jobs during the day, and can open up some great experiences!
[…] do think that most kids love being homeschooled, when faced with the alternative. That doesn’t mean that they will love all their assignments, or […]