There are at LEAST ten reasons that homeschooling is cool! I intend to not only give this list a serious look, but also intend to count them down as I count my blessings for the opportunity teach my children at home

Cool Reason for Homeschooling number TEN (#10):

Families can plan a school break, vacation or holiday around what suits them. They don’t have to be dictated by what a city, county or board of directors deems the right amount of time off, dates and just what is a holiday. This freedom of choice lends itself to reasons of necessity, preference or religion. Taking a break when your family chooses is the first ‘Cool Reason’ to make the list.

As an example: Last week, my daughter chose her own Spring Break. She has friends who had a different week off, but she wasn't ready to take off time until last week. She also had the choice to do school work that week, but chose to take the break as time to catch up on her many projects. She sculpted, sewed, cooked, gardened, ran outside (weather permitting), drew digital art, sang and the list goes on and on. She needed that break at that time.

There is also the necessity of time off when there is a family emergency. When my mother in law was diagnosed with colon cancer, all we had to do was dump the books and take off to be by Nana’s side. The peace of mind knowing that my children did not have the stress of ‘catch up’ or feel that their thoughts were torn between Nana and their own worries made the weight of what we were facing as a family easier to bare.

The best thing that we liked, as parents, was getting to take vacations during 'off' times when theme parks were not crowded and prices were lower. Many trips to Disney World, the Beach and cross country road trips were taken while traditional school was still in session. We enjoyed many things without the higher, tourist prices, crowds and "peak season" pressures such as hotel vacancies or not.

Another great advantage to choosing your own time off with homeschooling - is the choice of taking days off as a matter of religion. A lot of Jewish religious holidays, for example, are through the year at times when traditional schools are still in session. Taking off Purim, Yom Kippur or a whole week for Passover is a family's purgative when they have chosen to homeschool.

This is a perk to be sure, but it can certainly lend a sense of peace to scheduling your homeschool when you know that you have freedom to plan your own breaks! Cool Reason number ten (#10) is just the tip of the iceberg.

Blessings to your Family!

Donna L. Miller

My Site: Homeschool Heart