Many times I have been asked the question, “Why do you homeschool?”  Unfortunately they are often from relatives hostile to homeschooling, but it is an honest question even if their minds are not always open to the answer. 

It is actually a very complex answer.  Our reasons for homeschooling have changed over the years since we started.  Before we started, I had thought about homeschooling as a way to become a closer knit family and raise our children with Christian values.   Considering homeschooling began for me when we visited a family in Washington State that was homeschooling.  I saw those values in their family and wanted them in ours.  However, I worked full time, we were not in a position financially for me to quit, and our three boys were already in school, two of them in high school.  That said, the homeschool desire was starting to grow, encouraged by our third son’s ADHD problems in the school system.  When he got into junior high the desire intensified but with strong opposition to the idea from this son.  Our son’s opposition to homeschooling was not a primary factor as we felt as parents we would make the decision, although his opposition was duly noted and we realized that his opposition might make homeschooling more difficult.   Since we were still not in a strong financial position, we did not go the homeschooling route.  I did not know anyone who homeschooled in Iowa and was easily dissuaded by this then-daunting task.  So homeschooling was put aside once again, I thought forever. 

When our third son was 16, we found ourselves once more parents of an 11 month old boy that came into our homes on what was initially to be a temporary basis.  He had developmental delays and we enrolled him in early education through the Area Education Association.  First they came to our home to do therapy with him then after he turned 3 he had to go to the special needs pre-school class at the local school.  By the time he was ready for kindergarten; though he had caught up with his peers intellectually it was obvious he was also ADHD to the point the preschool teacher was insisting he needed medication before he started kindergarten.  Though I was still working full time, that was the proverbial last straw for my husband.  Hence, our initial reasons for homeschooling. 

As to why we are still homeschooling now, our reasons have deepened and become even more complex and engrained.  While we were able to avoid ADHD medication for several years, we did finally start medication after other efforts such as diet, behavior modification, etc. had all failed.  We have since discovered he most likely has learning disabilities that were not apparent preschool and I am able to teach him in his primary learning style and can change curriculum components if something is not working.  We can focus on the basics and not six different subjects.  It has been documented in numerous studies that homeschool kids are on average better educated in the academics than public school kids or even private school kids.  Our son is learning our Christian faith and values without seeing the opposite displayed and taught for half his waking hours in the public school.  For further confirmation of our choice, six months ago he was diagnosed with type I diabetes.  While that can be managed in the school system, the intricacies of keeping his glucose values in ideal range are much easier managed at home.  One more reason is re-evident every time we interact with public school kids – homeschool kids are kinder, much less cruel to other kids, will interact with people of all ages, and able to converse with adults.  Try saying hi to a public school child on the street or at church; unless they know you well, they will most likely not answer.   

Another question I am asked how long we intend to homeschool?  Our physician as well a supportive teacher/sister-in-law has now asked this question as we reach the upper elementary level.  Apparently it is much more questionable to homeschool as the child grows older.  We have answered both with a firm “until he is done with school.”  Apparently our answer was firm enough that they did not ask why, but the why is the same as why we homeschooled in the first place.  Additionally it makes no sense to place a child back in the school system in the preteen and teen years when they are most vulnerable to peer pressure.  Furthermore, recent studies indicate that over 80% of children raised in a Christian family active in church leave the denomination after becoming adults.    I have heard of studies that state the ratio of homeschool children that leave the church is only 20%, but I do not have those results to back up my memory.  I would think that ratio would be fairly accurate, but I would guess it would also depend on choice of college if the child left home to go to college for a long term accurate percentage.  These are all additional considerations regarding whether to homeschool or not to homeschool for the long haul. 

I guess if I boiled down all reasons to homeschool in one, concise statement, it would be this:  The child will generally be more likely to retain family values and will get a better education. 

Nancy & Bill