If you have been reading this blog for a while, you know that we have chosen to homeschool year around. In the past, we have done a lighter schedule in the summer. We’ve also used the summer to do various classes or curriculum that wouldn’t fit into our normal school schedule. Now that we’re in Az, we’ll be schooling full time in the summer as it’s too hot to be outside.
Our top 10 reasons for homeschooling year around are:
1. Freedom to allow my daughter some flexibility in her school schedule during the beautiful months of the year. Some days, I’ll allow her to take time off to go run in the water spraying out from the fire hydrant or to go jump on the trampoline.
2. Freedom to take time off whenever Daddy is home from work. Our school year revolves around Daddy’s work schedule. If he’s home, we just take the time off.
3. Freedom to take vacations at off times of the year when things aren’t as crowded. Since we’re not tied to the traditional school schedule, we are able to take advantage of vacations during off seasons. We can also go to activities during the day instead of after school.
4. Freedom to take a day off as I feel necessary. Some days, we just don’t feel well, or we don’t feel like schooling. Since I know that we’ll have plenty of days to get the schooling done, we are just take that day off.
5. Freedom to take time on areas that need more instruction without the stress of feeling like we are behind. Having more days built into our school year allows us to be able to spend more time of certain subject areas.
6. Staying on top of subjects instead of having to keep repeating information after a long break. I’ve found that a longer break means that my daughter forgets more information. If we keep using it, even at a less intense level, she retains more of what she is learning. There is less review needed, and ultimately less instruction time needed.
7. Sticking with a routine that works keeps away the “I don’t have anything to do” syndrome. Keeping our normal school routine means that Munchkin doesn’t have lots of unnecessary free time. Some free time is good, but too much free time is not.
8. Freedom to participate in non-school related activities. There is only so much time in a day. As activities are added to our schedule, other things need to be set aside. A person can only do so many things before experiencing burn out.
9. Freedom to escape burn out. I am able to take a break from our schooling when I’m feeling overwhelmed by everything going on in our lives. If I need to take a short break to get things done (or just rest), then I can do this without any guilt.
10. Freedom to do what works best for our family. We can focus on our regular curriculum during a “normal” school year and do fun school activities in the summer. Or, we can change things up during the school year to take mini breaks.
Our schooling choices right now may not be what works best for our family in a few years, but for now, this is what works for us. I also know that what works for us may not work for another homeschooling family. I’d love to hear what works for your family!
This post is part of Works for Me Wednesday.
Very well said! Those are the exact same reasons we homeschool year round. Also, having two special needs boys, I can give them the extra breaks they need if things get to be too much for them. We’ve just taken the past two weeks off of school to prepare for our adoption home study, and I have no worries because I know we’ll just pick up where we left off and still get plenty done.
Great tips! I wish I had enough patience to homeschool my kids.
.-= Cascia @ Healthy Moms´s last blog ..Confidence the Easy Way =-.
We homeschool year round too. We also flip our days around in the summer and allow the children to play outside in the morning and do ‘school’ in the afternoon when it’s too hot to play anyway. (We’re in North Texas) Also, we tend to do a lot more school during the summer months because the days are longer and being outside is so uncomfortable. But during the Spring and Fall, we nearly live outside…as much school as possible we do outside, more ‘fun school’ stuff (nature studies and hikes, etc.). Great tip!
Hi, I love your ideas. Definitely, we have choices for now and either way is good whatever works for us. Thanks for sharing this ideas to me. ~hugs~
My Works-For-Me-Wednesday — Laundry Tip
.-= Cacai M.´s last blog ..My Works-For-Me-Wednesday — Laundry Tip =-.
Are you sure you did not read my mind and write this for me. This is exactly why we never stop school. there is a easier schedual during the summer but my husband is a soldier and I want the time to be able to take the day off when he is home
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Those are the perfect reasons to home school!! If I had littles ones again I would homeschool!! It just seems to be the perfect way of teaching!! I hope you have a wonderful day!! Blessings from Georgia!!
.-= Cindy Lou´s last blog ..As Time goes by!! =-.
your doing a brilliant job of it my friend
keep it up 🙂
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We homeschool year round too, because we take time off to travel as a family to visit friends and family, to check on our farm etc. throughout the year, and sometimes just for me to catch up on work I have to do!
.-= Jennifer @ Quiverfull Family´s last blog ..Not Usually So Busy Here! =-.
I love how you pulled the reasons together. For our family, we are just embarking on a more year round schedule. Having the ability to tell the boys how schooling through the summer will actually give us FREEDOM is awesome. Thanks for that idea :o)
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