{i love}: homeschool

I am about to do a makeover on my homeschool room upstairs and I thought I'd go ahead and show everyone a before and after {when it's all done of course}.  And then I thought, hmm maybe I'll share why I love homeschool so much in the first place.

{the ups}

* kids are able to learn at their own pace 

* no need to plan vacations around school schedules {you can take it with you if it's necessary}

* it's possible to cater to your kids' learning styles {in a corporate teaching setting it's nearly impossible}

* you know if your kids are retaining the information you are teaching them {I zoned out in several subjects during my schooling experience}

* freedom: you pick the curriculum- and can put more time into what you feel is more important {and leave out what you feel isn't so much}

* kids are able to excel in certain subjects

* MUCH less waisted time {most kids graduate early if not years before their peers}

* more time in the home with their most important influences

* most of the time children receive a much better education than in public or private schools

* you can pray and talk about the Lord! {one of my favorite things, as public schools have completely cut it out}

{the downs}

* depending on area there may not be a big community of homeschooling children {which might mean less community for the kids, and maybe more struggle for you}

* you do the teaching {this can be good or bad depending on your motivation and expertise}

* less social interaction {also good or bad depending on who their friends would be- but I found this can be rectified by involving the kids in extra curricular activities and arranging play dates multiple times a week or getting involved in a co-op} 

* cost: although less than a private school it can be expensive depending on curriculum

* staying focused and on schedule can sometimes be challenging

* kids are in the home all the time {which also is good or bad depending on your situation}

* kids don't learn to take instruction from others unless put in that situation {also why extra curricular activities are great}

...

So that's the short of it. I've started Zuriah on some kindergarten curriculum and she's doing fantastic and loves it. We started her in ballet and are thinking of either soccer or gymnastics too {or rock climbing if it's possible at her age- she's an incredible climber!} And I always say she has more friends than I do. We are also blessed to be in a community that has a TON of homeschooling children, so lot's of support and options for us. 

Anyway I just love it, and don't think we'll ever go a different route, but we are just on the front end of it all as she's only three!