How homeschooling has effected my children

People tell you all about the good of homeschooling, and yes there are a few things we have to sacrifice to have a successful homeschool.  For example, mom time/break from the kids.  This doesn't happen very often.  But one of the things that I was thinking about this morning was how homeschooling has effected my children.  I have three boys and even though homeschooling has had a positive effect on all of them, I am going to share just one of them right now.  

My son "DD" has come so far.  He is one of those kids who must get an A or he considers himself a failure.  Now before you judge, I never expect an A.  I have always expected 'the best they can give'.  He has impressed me so much this past year.  His older brother is graduating this year and working part time so DD has had to 'step up' when it has come to chores and such around the house.  This teen will do anything I ask him to do.  He has good understanding about what it means to 'obey his parents in the Lord for this is right'.  Like any teen, I'm sure he will tell you he is under appreciated, but he is not.  He has also thrived in CHARACTER this year.  I see him helping others without attitude.  I see him jump in and help take care of an unruly little one in church.  I've seen him grab trash bags at our local gym as he is walking out the door to help clean up without being asked.  I contribute many things to homeschooling.  I think his Character has burst out through the homeschooling experience.  

He also has learned to work at his own pace through grade levels. He is now 15 and doing 11'th grade work.  He is an excellent reader and LOVES to read. I have even had to ground him from reading at night in his bed.  Yes, I know what a terrible mother, lol.  But hey, it is called a punishment for a reason.  

When he was in preschool, he attended a private Christian school at our local church we attended.  He started in the K2 program and worked his way through the K4.  Then, he started getting into trouble.  I went to the administrator and asked her to move him up to Kindergarten.  Because this was a private school they didn't have to follow any 'age' laws when it came to starting Kindergarten.  She denied my request.  I explained that he was bored and needed more of a challenge.  She was not convinced.  So I took matters into my own hands and thought, "Why can't I teach him?  I am capable.  I know where he needs to be challenged and where his strong abilities lie."  So I attended a homeschooling meeting at a local group.  I was amazed on how many people were doing this!  I spoke w/ my husband and he was in agreement for me to homeschool our two sons (our 3'rd son was just an infant).  Needless to say, the school administrator was NOT happy.  She shunned me for a bit, but it didn't matter.  I knew what I needed to do.  

During that first year of homeschooling, DD started Kindergarten and finished the whole curriculum by Christmas!  So I started 1'st grade and he finished it by May.  (We used aBeka at the time.)  The next school year he started 2'nd grade and finished by Jan.!  So I started 3'rd grade and he finished by May again.  At this point he was doing 2 years ahead of what other children his age was doing.  But we found his place where he was challenged but not overwhelmed and he has been thriving ever since.

I guess I am blogging this to let you know that YOU know your children better than anyone else and how homeschooling does effect children in a positive way.  We know them better than the school they attended (or currently attend), better than their peers, better than their current teachers (whether it be public school or Sunday School teachers), better than the government who tells us at what age we should be where in a certain grade.  YOU know your child.  Listen to your instincts......it will benefit your children.

So homeschooling our children has effected them and I would make that choice again and again and again and again..........