#4 Reason to Homeschool

Birthdays are a big deal in our family.  The birthday boy or girl wakes up to streamers covering their door, followed by many hugs and kisses.  Then they have a special breakfast and open presents.  My husband either stays home the entire day, or meets us for lunch (birthday child picks the location) and then goes along on the birthday tradition:  taking the birthday boy or girl's photo by a historic lion statue my husband proposed to me by.  Next, we head out for a special activity (bowling, painting pottery, going to a museum, etc.).  And a birthday wouldn't be a birthday without cake and ice cream, which we have at home after a home-cooked dinner.  Absolutely no structured school. 

For our two dogs' birthdays, there aren't any special meals or activities, but there are presents and streamers, Frosty Paws for the pups and ice cream for the rest of us.  And no school.

Yes, birthdays are a big deal in this family. 

You Can Homeschool

I was recently reminded of a 2009 nationwide study in which public school and homeschool students' standardized test results were compared.  It can not be stressed enough that household income, parent's level of education and money invested in teaching supplies have no bearing on the success of homeschool.

The key factors to successfully educating at home are an understanding of who your child is, what their educational goals should be, and a strong desire to help them reach them.  It also helps if you like being around your child.  If you don't have those basics, no parental college education, money spent on a fancy curriculum or co-op group will make home education a success.

Here are some other statistics from the study:

Household income had little impact on the results of homeschooled students.

$34,999 or less—85th percentile  
$35,000–$49,999—86th percentile
 $50,000–$69,999—86th percentile  
$70,000 or more—89th percentile

The education level of the parents made a noticeable difference, but the homeschooled children of non-college educated parents still scored in the 83rd percentile, which is well above the national average.

Neither parent has a college degree—83rd percentile
One parent has a college degree—86th percentile  
Both parents have a college degree—90th percentile

Whether either parent was a certified teacher did not matter.

Certified (i.e., either parent ever certified)—87th percentile
Not certified (i.e., neither parent ever certified)—88th percentile

Parental spending on home education made little difference.

Spent $600 or more on the student—89th percentile
Spent under $600 on the student—86th percentile

The extent of government regulation on homeschoolers did not affect the results.

Low state regulation—87th percentile
Medium state regulation—88th percentile  
High state regulation—87th percentile

Homeschooling State Laws

I'm please to be a homeschooler in Wisconsin, a state with low regulations.  Each fall I am required to send the Department of Public Instruction an online form indicating my intentions to homeschool my children (designating their sex and grade level) a minimum of 875 hours in the subjects of reading, language arts, math, social studies, science and health.  And that's it.  Pretty painless. 

In addition, I do keep very through records of each day's activities, although this is more for my benefit than a requirement for the state.  Although you never do know, do you. 

What are your state's requirements?  Would you move to a different state to escape strict regulations? 

#3 Reason to Homeschool

When I decided to homeschool, I wrote a list of reasons why I was choosing this journey for my family.  One of the items on the list was that I wanted my children to have the ability to remain children as long as possible, something I knew would be increasingly difficult if they were in a traditional classroom each day.

I want my children to build a solid foundation before going out into the world.  I want them to be who they were born to be, not waver due to peer pressure at an early age.  As a result, I have two daughters who are passionate about nature, science and Star Wars and a son who enjoys cooking, art, and playing dolls with his sisters...along with all of your other traditional girl/boy interests. 

When August was two I purchased a boy Bitty Baby for him.  I was pregnant with Martha and I thought he'd enjoy having a baby to take care of alongside me when his little sister was born.  Since the day he arrived, his baby Max has been played with and well taken care.  Over the years, as we've purchased American Girl dolls for his sisters, August has questioned why they don't make a boy doll ("They could start an American Boy division of the company," he says).  And so this year, when he asked again, I started my hunt to find a boy doll.

Henry, an 18" boy doll by Gotz I purchased from Pottery Barn Kids ($89), joined our family this Christmas and August is thrilled.  Along with the doll, he received custom-made boy clothes for Henry and a bag to keep all of his gear in.  My husband is making Henry a bed for August's birthday next month.

I cannot tell you how happy it makes me to hear all three of my children playing together with their dolls.  Lanie, Kit and Henry have had tea parties and lightsaber duels, gone ice skating and fishing, and played house. I cannot wait to see what their next adventure will be! 

This is why I homeschool.

Natural Cold/Flu Fighters

Over the years I have learned a few homemade cold and flu fighters.  Today, when a friend emailed me for a recipe, I realized I had never shared them here.  My husband teases me about the jars of potions in our pantry...until he needs them, that is.

First up is a remedy for adults (perhaps a child-friendly one could be made with less cayanne).  This powerful mixture is great for coughs, stubborn congestion and sore throats.  It is best used when you first feel something settling in.  I quadruple the recipe to last the winter and keep a jar in our pantry.  The ingredients seem strange, but taste surprisingly good. 

Cough Remedy

• ¼ teaspoon Cayenne
• ¼ teaspoon Ginger (ground)
• 1 Tablespoon Cider Vinegar (Bragg’s is preferred.)
• 1 Tablespoon Honey 
• 2 Tablespoon Water

Directions

• Combine in a jar.  When needed, shake the jar to combine and take one tablespoon, twice daily.

The second recipe is for the entire family.  Again, I make a large batch and keep a jar of this pre-mixed and to spread on toast and add to oatmeal and hot drinks throughout the day.  Most morning we enjoy it with warm milk alongside breakfast as a preventative measure. 

Honey/Cinnamon Cold Remedy

• 1 teaspoon Honey
• ¼ teaspoon Cinnamon

Directions

•  Mix the honey and cinnamon together to eat or spread on toast...or mix into warm milk, tea, or chai.

#2 Reason to Homeschool

After being sick last week and delaying the joy of newly fallen snow, having the entire hill to ourselves more than made up for it yesterday.  As other children returned to school on January 2, we hit the sledding hill...followed by hot chocolate!   

#1 Reason to Homeschool*

Or, if say, all of your children were sick with a terrible stomach virus the week and a half of break.  And it's January 2 and you are yet to celebrate Christmas with either side of your family.  :(

* I should mention, since this is the first in a long list to come of reasons to homeschool, that they will be in no particular order.  I obviously do not think that adding vacation days is the most important reason to homeschool.