Homeschooling: How'd you know it was right for your family?
As you may know, the world of education for our children is ever-evolving. Education looks different from when we were young, schools aren't as safe as they used to be, and there's this loss of love and creativity in the school system. All of these things and more made me start to question what I thought would be best for my children once they reached school age.
When my oldest daughter turned 5, she was just on the cut-off for starting Kindergarten. Public school was something I had reservations about, so we enrolled her in a private school. It seemed great at first, the curriculum was enriching, the staff was nice, and they seemed invested in the kids. After a while, I realized it wasn't for us for a few reasons:
The classrooms are jammed full of kids.
My daughter needed 1:1 attention that the teacher couldn't give
The curriculum was fast-paced and advanced, it gave my daughter anxiety
I don't blame or place responsibility on the teachers for these things that they just can't control. It's just the way school is and I know a teacher cannot spend all their time on just one student. Even though we spent so much time with my daughter trying to cover all the things she was learning at school to help her keep up, she was burnt out. She'd do school all day, then have to do more school when she got home. Her mood was horrid 99% of the day, she'd scream and cry on her way to school. She refused to try in class because she felt she couldn't keep up with the other kids, so why bother? She started getting picked on, and I was ready to go full-on Mama Bear on a bunch of 6-year-olds!
These were just a few of the reasons why we decided to start homeschooling.
I realized that traditional education was not catering to the unique needs and interests of my children. Embracing the philosophy of individualized learning, I sought to tailor their educational experiences to match their personalities, learning styles, and interests. When I did this I saw major changes in them, especially my now 6-year-old. She woke up happier, our relationship became stronger, and she got to take her time on things that she struggled with a bit more, which gave her confidence instead of feeling rushed and pressured to get it right.
It was clear to me that this was the better choice for all of us, and I couldn't be more happy. Now we spend a lot of our time in nature, and we learn things that we are genuinely interested in. As an artist and photographer, I craved creating an environment that nurtures creativity. Homeschooling allows us to infuse art and imagination into every lesson, transforming learning into a truly creative adventure.
We've been thriving! Embarking on the homeschooling journey has been a fulfilling experience, allowing me to witness the growth and development of my children in a personalized and creative environment. As you consider homeschooling for your family, I hope this helps you feel inspired to look at the pros and cons for your own family.
Stick around, I will include a blog that has additional resources that serve as a helpful companion on your path to creating a unique and enriching educational experience for your little learners.
If you have any questions about getting started in homeschooling or more on my experience, send me a message! I'd love to help.
Cya later my friends,
Kat
