We have many reasons for choosing to homeschool our kids. But if I can be candid here....one of my reasons is purely selfish. By homeschooling my kids I get to read all the books I always wanted to, learn all the things I never got around to, and do all the experiments I never had a chance to try. It's a win-win situation, really.
I'm a fairly educated person if I do say so. I have a couple of fancy degrees and went to some pretty good schools. Yet my education is sorely lacking in the basics. I could discuss criminological theory all day long. But please don't ask me what year a major war was fought. Or who the 12th president of The United States was. Or what 392 times 6 is. Or what happens in Moby Dick. Because I haven't a clue.
I'm not sure how I got through so many years of schooling without obtaining a solid education in the basics, but there you have it. I was in gifted programs and honors classes too, but it didn't really do me any good. From what I remember, my gifted and honors classes had a heavy focus on creative writing and not much else. And math? Ha! I was placed in higher level math courses which means I can work the heck out of an Algebra equation but can't figure out what to do with fractions to save my life.
As a child I didn't really care about all this. But as an adult there are a million things I wish I knew more about. I want to read the classics. I want to understand history and really be able to see how the past has shaped the present. I want to be able to read a biography and not feel totally lost the entire time because I haven't a clue about the historical facts the author alludes to.
So homeschooling serves dual purposes for me. I can get the education I wish I had received, and I can make sure my kids get it the first time. Learning is fun! And unfortunately, a lot about our school systems saps the fun out of learning. Not always. But in many cases it's true. Since we decided to homeschool, it's amazing how our whole family has became enamored with learning. Just this afternoon we were driving around and found ourselves admiring the clouds in the sky. Which led to a discussion about how clouds are formed and what they're all about, and questions about how come clouds don't fall to the ground if they're full of water....which led to some googling and research when we got home. I love it! We're always learning and discovering..as a family.
Keeping it real: This post was inspired by the September From Left to Write book club pick Cleopatra: A Life.
Sunday, September 25, 2011
The Education I Never Had
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Your children are so lucky to experience YOU learning along with them! They'll know that learning is a life long process, and that knowledge will make them adults who are creative and inquisitive and clever!!
You are a life learner, just like me. I miss attending classes and learning new things. I'm not disciplined enough to do it myself. It's great that you are able to learn just as much as your children!
I love teaching! Home schoolers should be praised, as a public school teacher I know I could never teach my own kids. I love to learn, like you, and I hope to pass that trait on to my children.
I never had kids, but always thought I would either home school or somehow be very actively involved for the same reason -- so I could relearn all the things I forgot and learn all the things I never got around to learning earlier.
Joy's Book Blog
Your love of learning as an adult teaches your children by example. And most likely, you'll retain it now that you are *choosing* to learn it, rather than it being on a syllabus. I loved my elementary, junior high, and college days (high school...not so much). And researching, learning, and discovering more are fantastic hobbies and/or careers! :>
Oh wow! You read my mind. I've always felt that I missed out on so much education because I didn't really appreciate how wonderful learning can be! I'm glad the homeschooling is helping you to realize that for yourself and that you are passing on the love of learning to your children!
I admire you. I wish I had the stamina to homeschool my kids. The natural curiosity of my children is infectious and I wish I could keep it with me always but, alas, my inner child has been sufficiently stifled by mainstream education. I leave full blown exploration in the hands of my kids. :)
I'm not a homeschooler, but I take seriously my responsibility to keep the love of learning alive for my kids. I think leading by example is the best way to do this! It sounds like your family is lots of fun :)
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