At this point I don't even remember when I figured out that I wanted to homeschool. It was definitely sometime in my early 20’s. I do think it is important to point out, I’m not against public school. It has its place and there are plenty of kids who need to go there. Ultimately, if we find my two youngest sons would thrive there, we would send them. I will say, that as time goes on, I find it harder to believe they could thrive better in the public education system but anything is possible. 

I am going to break down my WHY into 3 main points. My guess is that there are probably more nuanced points and these points listed will probably evolve and grow as time goes on, but for today this is what I am writing.

Reason #1, I want the opportunity to shape my child's education. However that looks. Whether we do classical education or turn to some sort of online method or something, the mode doesn't actually matter. I want the opportunity to educate my children myself and decide how it's done. I truly do feel that it is my responsibility and privilege to educate my children. I mean I guess you could call that perspective selfish but it’s how I feel. ( Ok so real talk, I HAVE been called selfish for that perspective. Ridiculous but it happened.)

Anyways…..

Reason #2, I want to control the influx of media and topics that don't align with our family values. Let your mind take you where you want with that. It's probably what I mean. I dislike the increased nature of computers in school. I dislike the increased sexuality in school. I dislike the generalness of the schools trying to teach our students morals and how to be adults while that is our job here at home.

Reason #3, this time is short with my children and I really want to be home with my babies. I just really liked spending time with them. You know even with the older kids, I love being able to drive them places and fit in the short amount of time that I do get. That short 10 minute drive home from picking up those 2 kids from the bus stop is just precious time. Samuel gets super excited to see them and I hate missing those moments. Just last week, Samuel spent the drive over to get them clearing off the seat for Sis and telling me about how he couldn't wait to make a heart for her because she loved him so much. If I was working, I would have missed this moment. 

In retrospect, my desire to homeschool really comes from more of a place of wanting to spend time with my children than anything else. Maybe that perspective will change, maybe it won't. Ultimately, I think it's time we live in a world that is more accepting of spending time with our children. 

What do you think? What are your reasons for educating your children?

​

*This post contains affiliate links.

Memoria Press offers MANY options for your families homeschool. Seriously, because of the way that the curriculums are set up, you can follow them as strictly, or as loosely, as your family needs.

I started my son young with their pre-school curriculum. Like he was 2.5 year old. This was because of some speech needs we were facing. The way the curriculum was set up, I was able to follow the curriculum plan, and apply it in a way that mad sense for him. By May of the following year, he had even memorized one of the memory verses. I was emboldened and not overwhelmed by the material submitted and was able to help get my son to where he needed to be.

Memoria Press has a core curriculum option that families are able to pick from. From there they also offer an online school option. Which I think is especially great for those families who think they need that structure in a classically based education. 

And really Memoria Press does it all, they have several different locations for the Highlands Latin school and cottage schools throughout the country. They even have a college! (Cottage Schools are where you attend in person instruction one or two days a week and then school the rest of the week at home. It's a hybrid option)

Check out Memoria Press sometime! They have their own conference in summertime and even make it to homeschool conferences throughout the country. I learned of them through the Great Homeschool Convention in Cincinnati. 

Really this is a great option for homeschool families who are looking to educate their children in a different, PROVEN, way. The material is solid and if you are looking for something that is Christian based, they do not shy away from their faith. Click below to view more information on their website.

​

One of the biggest things repeated over and over again is that each family can homeschool the way they want. One big consideration to make in homeschooling is whether or not to join a co-op. Classical Conversations is the one we chose and so far, I really do love this path we are on.

Reason #1: All of the scripture used is in the King James Version. This is a personal family conviction that the resources we consume as a family be in this version of the bible. It is less work for us to switch things over or review, when this version is used in the first place.

Reason #2: CC encourages whole family learning. Whether it comes to doing family a read-aloud or parsing scripture, it is very easy to include my older two children who attend public school. The methods of learning that are taught in CC are not just for use during the homeschool learning time but within the whole family dynamic. 

Reason #3: I love how much community is encouraged in the CC life. Whether in the whole group or just in our little classroom of learners, we are encouraged to get to know each other, learn together, and encourage each other. Even the children do this. In our Foundations class, our children give presentations weekly and are encouraged to ask questions and dialogue together. It is so beautiful watching them become peers.

To be honest, I’m still struggling with the weekly commitment to an organization. It feels like I have to run along with someone else’s schedule. Which is not necessarily a bad thing, it’s just a feeling I get left with.

If you have more questions about CC or our experience with it just reach out. My son is so young we aren't following everything verbatim. CC offers a flexibility where it can fit into many different family rhythms.