That Time Again

It's that time again....time to answer the question that comes up every fall now...."Are you doing "that" again?" The "that" being referenced to is homeschooling. The answer is "without a doubt!" Looking back at these pictures from the past year, (these are all fieldtrip pics, and merely a few of the many we took!), I can't imagine missing out on all of this. I have relished in every moment of this experience. It really cracks me up how strange of a concept it is to others. My favorite is "Oh, I could never do that.." Really? The way I see it, most mommies are their child's first teacher. Didn't you praise them as they took their first steps, didn't you cheer with delight when they came down the slide by themselves, didn't you show them how to color inside the lines and tell them it was beautiful when they scribbled? Didn't you teach them their colors and expose them to the alphabet? Didn't you answer "What's that?" over a million times? The way I see it, as parents, we are constantly teaching our children. As a homeschooler, I incorporate academics, science labs, fieldtrips, and opportunities to teach about the world. Real hands on stuff that is practical. "For math today, we went to the grocery store and learned about money, pricing, paying, and comparing." I know many parents who have kids in school that do those activities as well...so please don't say you "could never do it. " In many ways, you already are. You have always been your child's first teacher. The elements of our day have been changed a bit, admittedly, we do spelling, math, reading, science, history, art, music, PE etc. And YES, we get plenty of opportunity to "socialize" which is the other concern many have. I find myself having to say "no" to all the opportunites there are available. I am amazed at the growth of the homeschool communitity. It is crazy!!! There is a reason for this trend, and even though I am supportive of my friends who choose not to homeschool and send their kiddos to public school, I am grateful for the ones who "get" why I do what I do. And finally, to the ones who send their kids to public school and don't understand the reason for homeschooling, but love and support me anyway....you are the best!!! Unconditional love is the strongest kind!