I have always wanted to come up with a list of reasons we educate our children at home. Here goes:
1) Because it is the only way I see that we can follow the Deuteronomy 6 family model to its fullest.
2) Because we like to be with our children.
3) To have more control over what type of people influence them.
4) Because we want to use a Christ-centered curriculum.
5) The Bible teaches that our purpose is to glorify God. Curriculum that does not bring us to the point of glorifying God is not valuable for this pursuit.
6) We like the money we save because our children are not tempted into materialism. They never want the latest fashions and name brands because they have no awareness of current fads.
7) We want our children to learn to get along with their siblings.
8) We want our children to be best friends.
9) We want ample opportunity for our children to interact with older and younger age groups as described in Titus 2.
10) We want to be available to minister to others on demand.
11) We don't want to waste any of our extra time with home-work.
12) We want our children to become strong readers.
13) We want our children to have plenty of time for reading.
14) We want our children to read as many first-hand accounts of historical events as possible.
15) We don't want to be influenced by altered interpretations of history.
16) We want our children to think critically and question everything.
17) We don't want our children to learn for tests, but to learn so they may know God better.
18) We believe our testimony is stronger when we "be ye separate" from the world, as we believe God has set us apart.
19) We don't believe the traditional schools offer effective training in social skills.
20) We believe in using real books as opposed to textbooks for learning history and human sociology.
20) We want to avoid humanist philosophies found in most English Literature curriculum.
21) We want our children to learn at their own pace.
22) We want to be with our children during school time so we may correct discipline issue instantly.
23) We want to put more emphasis on learning to learn than memorizing facts.
24) God gave this job to us.
25) We are jealous parents who only want our children's hearts for the Lord and ourselves.
26) Public schools are obstacles in our goals to teach Biblical marriage and sexuality.
27) Public school do not reflect the real world. They are hubs of highly concentrated childishness, foolishness and sin. We prefer to model to our children how a Christian should live and interact with the real world IN THE REAL WORLD.
28) We want our children to have plenty of time to read the Bible.
29) We can do a lot more in 7 hours.
30) We want music to be a part of our children's curriculum.
31) We want to delay reading if our children are not ready without labeling them with any disability or putting them in any category other than the "Just Not Ready" category.
32) We want children who are ready to move on to new levels to be able to without being held back by another student.
33) We want them to learn at their own pace.
34) We want to be flexible and available to educate ourselves on certain topics as the Holy Spirit leads.
35) We don't believe welfare education is a good idea.
36) We believe our children are unique individuals who need specialized attention.
37) We believe "Love never fails" as stated in 1 Cor. 13.
38) We want learning to be our life-style.
39) Because we, obviously, didn't learn grammar well in traditional school. We hope to provide our children with the opportunity to develop better grammar skills.
40) Because I don't need to hide or run from opportunities for God to develop patience in me for my children.
41) Because I have a much to learn too.
42) We don't have to buy school clothes before school begins. We can wait until school starts then buy what goes on sale.
43) We are free to take vacations whenever we want--never during busy spring break week and always when public school is in session and it's less crowded.
44) We are more available to participate in community events.
45) We can explore the theories of Creation and evolution in a more in-depth level.
46) We don't have to interrupt a good learning moment because a bell rings.
47) Because we do not delegate our educational needs to others very often, we are more conscientious to notice and take advantage of teaching moments.
48) We don't want our children's curiosity to be smothered.
49) We don't want to miss out on special opportunities that come our way.
50) We have more time to explore and nourish entrepreneurial enthusiasm.
51) Because I want to spend as much time with my family as possible. I refuse to die wishing I had more time with them.
I could go on and on, but need to leave the computer now. I will surely add to this list when I can. Feel free to add some reasons to home-educate in the Comments section.
