More Work? or More Fun? ;)

It really kind of interesting to me that there are so many misconceptions about homeschooling.  So many, for instance, have the misconception that teaching at home is harder than sending the kids off to school. 

Funny really, because I am so much less stressed since the boys came home and we left the crazy school schedule behind!  I mean, the first year was sort of crazy, yeah.  I was getting my feet wet, and learning about what it meant to pick curriculum (or find it free online).  And then there is the whole, wait you’re my parent/but you’re my teacher struggle in the beginning.  But all in all, it was a relief to leave the organized (by some one else but me, but I have to follow it or else) school schedule.  I hated that schedule. I loathed it.  Let’s look at the difference, shall we?

School Schedule- Wake up early, rush to school with little ones in tow, still get there at the very last minute or worse, run errands and have lunch, pick up the kids who are tired and hungry, get them a snack, and then prod them to work on homework while I make dinner, Dad gets home, a (very) little time together, then to bed early to do it all over again tomorrow . . . PHEW!

Home School Schedule- Wake up at a natural time, eat and get dressed (maybe), morning devotions and faith talk, school work done either in a workbook or through life experience and reading or all three (after son finishes another chapter of a book about George Washington that he just can’t put down ;), lunch, finish up with school, then unadulterated play and fun and/or a nature walk, Dad comes home, dinner, and then as much family time as we choose (a game of “On Assignment With National Geographic”, or math bingo anyone?), and an appropriate bed time (maybe :)

What sounds like more fun to you?!  Not trying to judge those that don’t home school, but just sayin’ ;)
Hubby and I have been through public school ourselves before putting our own kids in school, and here are other things that I don’t miss about school.  I DO NOT MISS the Gimme Gimme, but they have and I must too MONSTER.  (Not really from my kids, but the others around them!)  We have many social activities with other home school kids and their families.  They do not care what others are wearing.  They don’t have to have what others have.  They are not tearing each other down over trivial things. 

We have some rather generous friends that hand down awesome clothes!  The kids are happy.  I am happy.  I went through the markers that we have and threw out the ones that were dried out.  We bought a pack of glue sticks, and a couple reams of paper.  School shopping is done!  Woo hoo!  Spent all of $3 (after Staples Teacher Rewards)!  I am so loving the change in priorities!  The biggest purchase was curriculum, and that was my choice.  You can home school and give your kids a quality education for next to nothing if you so choose.  (Hint: It involves the library, and the internet)  Really!

We are soooo much happier now ;)