Why I Would Never Home School Again

The curtains are about to close on the last act of my years as a home school mother. For me that can’t happen soon enough. I have been home schooling for 18 years and here are some reasons why I would never home school again.

The younger years, kindergarten and elementary, were intense. There was such a burden to make sure they learned to read and were actually reading on their grade level. In fact, I did a video about my biggest Parenting Fail: Teaching Your Child to Read and it was on this very subject, learning to read. I always let out a sigh of relief when that hurdle was crossed.

And then there was math. I’m not a math person myself, but luckily my husband is. I knew my days were numbered (pun intended) when it came to math and finding someone else who could devote the time to teach them, who was within our budget, and would work out schedule-wise was no small feat. Trying times (another math pun) were those days.

The pressure of always having to answer the “socialization” questions once someone discovered we home schooled. It’s sort of like being pregnant. You know how a pregnant woman’s stomach is considered public property? Well that’s how it is with the socialization question when someone learns you home school. I never asked for the opinions I received, just like I never asked people (especially strangers) to touch my pregnant belly! It was a question asked by many and a subject understood by few. If they only knew how many activities my kids were involved in and how often we were away from home doing school with other kids (gasp).

Another reason why I would never homeschool my kids again is the constant amount of time I had to spend with my kids. The forced time in the car while driving them to and from activities, both academic and social, all the while listening to every detail of everything that happened. Or listening to them interact with their friends during those times, because there was always an extra kid or three along for the event.

Then there were the high school days; choosing the curricula for the various subjects they needed to take along with the added pressure of teaching them things I had long ago forgotten, or never learned at all, especially technology. Who needs the added stress? Who in their right mind wants to spend so much time with their kids?

As you may have already guessed the title is a little misleading.

Truthfully, I wouldn’t miss those years, homeschooling my kids, for any amount of money.

I’m not going to lie, I didn’t enjoy every minute. In fact, there were days I would tell my kids to get ready because they were going to school and they were going NOW!

And there are definitely things I would change about our homeschool adventure if I had a do-over. I don’t. It is what it is.

As I begin this Very First Last Time I do so with a heart full of special memories, which leaves me with a bittersweet taste.

I don’t envy those home school moms just starting out, but I would do it all again in a minute.