10 Unexpected Benefits I’ve Found from Homeschooling

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I didn’t know we were going to homeschool until the summer before my youngest was old enough for Kindergarten.  So I did not have much time to ponder the joys (or struggles) of homeschooling before we were actually in the middle of it.

Almost every part of homeschooling I’ve learned is from being in the thick of it every day – not conferences or IRL friends or the like.  While all of those are wonderful ways to learn of this crazy homeschooling life, I just didn’t have access to those.

Here are some of the most unexpected benefits I’ve found from schooling my children at home.

I love learning with my children.

My own schooling as a child?  Definitely a little on the lacking side.

I’ve been shocked to find how  much I love learning with my little ones.  I’ve loved everything from learning spelling rules (love rules!) to reading history together to working on science projects.  Studying different topics together has just been plain fun to me.

We can go off on rabbit trails.

Prior to homeschooling, I thought school at home was just like school at, well, school.

But here at home we go off on fun little rabbit trails of learning.  If we’re reading a book about Ancient Greeks and my son is interested in Greek soldiers and their equipment, we can spend a few days studying and reading about that.  If my daughter wants to learn specifically about hummingbirds while we’re working on a Bird Unit Study, we can take some (un-rushed) time to research them.

I love the ability to veer off track without fear of going against the rules…because we make the rules.

My children get to be children.

That picture at the top of the post?  That happened a few minutes before quiet time one afternoon.

I’m not typically a mom that is fun and says ‘yes’ to crazy messiness like playing in the rain.  But I’m trying really hard to be. 🙂

This memory of them playing in the rain while I sat on the porch one simple afternoon will forever be imprinted on my heart.

We can go at the pace that suits us.

I love that my kiddos and I can move along at the pace that suits us.  We don’t have to keep up with anyone’s schedule but our own.

If reading comes a little slower to one child, there’s no fear about end of grade tests.  If math comes quickly for another child, we can zoom on through until things get more challenging.

To be able to make our own time table is precious to me.

I get to study the Bible with my children every day.

We start our school day with Bible study, and it has quickly grown to be our favorite time.  Our Bible study time has sparked such wonderful conversations. I wouldn’t trade this part of our day for anything.

I can shelter my children.

Do I shelter them?  Oh yes, and unapologetically so.

No, they aren’t goofy and weird kids, but they are protected from the things that they just shouldn’t know at these young ages.

We spend the day together.

While I would love to have some extended time alone each day (who wouldn’t?!) I love that I get to spend the day with my children.  It gives me an opportunity to really get to know them and learn their hearts.  I can teach them our values and why we believe what we believe each day through example.

I consider spending my days with them to be one of my greatest joys in life.

My children are best friends.

My children spend most every day together.  Sure they have their moments when they don’t get along, but for the most part, they are best friends.

When something good happens to one of them, they just can’t wait to tell a sibling so they can be excited together.

Family, and especially sibling relationships, are very important to us.  What a privilege to spend all day with your best buddies!

We get to define what “true learning” really is.

As we enter into our fourth year of homeschooling, I will readily admit that what I consider to be “learning” has changed over the years.

In the beginning, my opinion was that learning took place in a desk and occurred during certain hours of the day and always involved a pencil in hand.

WOW – has my perspective changed!

In our home, learning takes place all of the time.  Whether we’re learning how to manage a bad attitude, or learning geography terms, or learning to cook,  or learning how to be obedient…there is constant shaping and forming taking place.

I’d love to know: what are the most unexpected benefits you have found from homeschooling your children?

I’m proud to link this post to iHomeschool Network’s 10 in 10 series.  Hop on over for a whole slew of posts from your favorite homeschool bloggers!

Lauren Hill

Lauren Hill is a Christian mom to 5, ages 19 to 7. She homeschools her children in the classical education tradition and is currently in her 15th year of homeschool. She creates engaging worksheets and hands-on printable activities for Preschool and Elementary age children to supplement their daily studies.

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