Being homeschoolers, we have our hands right in the mix of our daughter’s education. Not only are we her parents, for better or worse, we are also her educators. This may not be an ideal choice for parents since some don’t have the time to properly educate their children, but they still prefer homeschooling, so if this is a problem for you you can always hire homeschool services.

Our daughter, Nevaeh, has been homeschooled since Kindergarten, and were currently in 2nd grade. Up until January of this year my wife was in charge of Nevaeh’s education. Sure, I was asked the occasional question or two, would be a sounding board for my wife, but was primarily out of the homeschooling loop. But now it’s my turn and this is what I’ve come up with so far.

Homeschooling Pros

With that comes a particular latitude that is only offered through homeschooling. We have the ability to tailor lessons that will capture our child’s attention and foster the development of concepts. Not only do we know what she is being taught, but we also understand her learning process. Which makes for a richer educational experience.

Homeschooling also opens many doors and opportunities that are otherwise lost, or even neglected in the public and private sector:

  • One-on-one interaction between the student and teacher (even in private school that consistency isn’t there).
  • We own our day: It isn’t dictated by the school board, an overly stressed teacher, or a bus schedule.
  • Choice: Our curriculum can be mix-n-match to better fit how our daughter learns particular subjects.
  • Most importantly, we control access to our child. We don’t have to worry about an already overworked administrator allowing a stranger to pick up our child.

So those are the pros. Adapting our teaching methods and the curriculum used allows our daughter to learn more efficiently, which in turn allows for many more activities. We have school days just like everyone else, though ours may look a bit different (hello beach, I mean, marine biology).

Homeschooling Cons

The down-side of homeschooling would be the time investment. Yeah yeah, I know, it should be unicorns and rainbows forever. Unfortunately, there is a time commitment that comes with homeschooling. You have to teach your kid, plan the lessons that you are going to teach (I’m still trying to figure this one out), grade papers, research curriculum for the upcoming year, and I’m sure there’s more that I’m missing.

Yes, it is an awesome thing to be able to stay home and educate my child . . . but sometimes I just need a break. Sure, you might think that makes me a selfish guy, but I need to recharge my batteries from time-to-time.

How do I do that? Well . . . I’ve yet to find a foolproof solution. Let’s just say it’s a work in progress. On a plus side, twice a week when Nevaeh is in dance I take that hour to run (the alternative would be to hang-out with the dance moms at the studio).

The ability to come home after a day of work no longer exists, that day of work takes place at home. The lines do get blurred and it takes a bit of mental gymnastics and intentionality to keep things in perspective. What helps is to set aside a couple 30-minute blocks during the day where I can do something (read, write, veg, etc.) while she plays in her room . . . that mostly works.

Deeper Relationships

Aside from our kid getting a better education (Florida is in the bottom 50%) our time together has had a huge impact on our relationship.

A typical morning has us eating breakfast together, taking care of chores, and doing a short workout before we start school. Then we get cracking on the education stuff: math, grammar, science, and whatnot. We’ll typically have a short break or two (remember that 30-minute window?) and that’s it for school.

During the afternoon we’ll take care of any errands (shopping), go to dance (2x week), have a bike ride (there’s a paved 7-mile trail just down the road from us), or find something to do. Sometimes, Nevaeh will help me prepare dinner and then we’ll be all set before mom gets home.

I know my daughter’s personality, likes, dislikes, and moods. We have a great time together, even during the times we’re struggling through a subject. I get to be a part of my daughter’s day and life. That to me makes homeschool so worthwhile