I have to say that homeschooling wasn't really what we chose - but what chose us. (Or should I say what the Lord chose for us to do) My daughter had attended a private, Christian school since Kindergarten and it was all that she knew. However, there are very high academic standards there and we spent most evenings and weekends studying with her and preparing for tests and assignments. Academics come easy to some children and others must work very hard to keep up. While she always got passing grades on report cards, it did not come without a price. - - Stress, anxiety, minimal family time, and tears were the norm at our house..
When she was in the 7th grade, she became very ill during the winter months. She was diagnosed with pneumonia and bronchitis and missed over a week of school. She was just getting better and then was diagnosed with the flu. By the time she started feeling better, she had missed about 3 weeks of school and the work was piling high. We made arrangements for a tutor to help her get caught up and the school was extremely helpful. - But, as the time drew closer for her to go back to classes, she became very sick again and was told that she now had mono and would miss at least another month of school. Her immune system had just not bounced back. It was clear at that time that she would never be able to catch up that school year with the tremendous amount of work laying on our kitchen table.
We really had no choice but to homeschool for the rest of the year. Again, the school allowed us to use their books and the teachers sent lesson plans so I was able to keep on task and our daughter was allowed to work at her own pace. I could see the huge relief in her eyes and she was never stressed the rest of the year.
It was like a huge weight was taken off of her shoulders. She worked at her own pace, wasn't distracted, was finished her assignments in no time since she wasn't changing classes, etc. We started talking to other homeschool families and realized there was a world of opportunity laying right before our eyes. I had NO IDEA the kinds of things that were available to homeschoolers in our area.
We decided to continue homeschooling, and it has been such a huge blessing in our lives! I'm not saying God made our daughter sick, but I do believe He allowed it because it was the BEST thing for her, and we would not have made that decision otherwise.
She will be entering the 11th grade this year, and is so much more relaxed and social than she ever was when she attended "regular" school. She will be taking 3 classes this semester at local community colleges, AND attends a co-op on Tuesdays where there are close to 200 kids involved. (They offer many different class options, have dress codes, change periods, and have weekly assignments.)
She also belongs to a teen homeschool drama group called YROC (Youth Reaching Others for Christ) that meets once a week. They travel to area churches, rescue missions, schools, parks, etc. and perform short Christian and Bible-related skits. They put on a 2 hour end-of-the-year production and this past year it was The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.
She also volunteers at the local VA Medical Center. She's invited to birthday parties, skating sessions, bowling events, field trips, etc. all the time. We went to a hospital with other homeschoolers a few months ago and had the privilege of witnessing an actual open heart surgery!
Is homeschooling for everyone? Absolutely not. But for our family, it has been life changing for our family. I'm thankful for the foundation she developed during her private school days but I'm even more thankful for the woman she has become due to being at home. My daughter and I have developed a bond that will never be broken. I love the flexible schedule and family time that we now have. And she has been able to thrive in a learning environment that is extremely beneficial to her personality and method of learning. I give God all of the glory!
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