Wait. Is this written right? When have the adjectives, “awesome” or “amazing” EVER been used to describe teens OR homeschooling?!
Now we always need to begin the homeschooling conversation by stating the well known fact that doing school at home isn’t for everyone. In fact, each of my kiddos have spent various years in public school as needed (except my youngest, but hey, this may change when the next school bus rolls by).
Thankfully, homeschooling has enriched our family, and we are seeing the awesome and amazing results to the years of hard work. My oldest two are now juniors, and as we near the end of their school journey I am eager to share what I’m learning.
Awesome and Amazing Reasons to Homeschool Your Teen
1. Cultivate independent learning. Without a formal instructor to go to for quick explanations, the homeschooled student may need to search for solutions himself. Each time a child finds information on his own it builds their self-confidence as well as deepens their knowledge of the subject being researched. I am confident these skills will be used over and over in college and years to come.
2. Build close relationships with family and friends. Without homework my kids have uninterrupted evenings with dad, extra time with grandparents, and time to build strong, lasting relationships.
3. Discover what they love. When the checklist for the school day is marked off, homeschooled teens have the rest of the day to explore their interests and learn more about what they love. Volunteering at a favorite location, learning to play an instrument, starting a paid job and enjoying hobbies are all things my teens are able to enjoy.
“The biggest benefit to them was that it enabled them to mature at their own rate of speed, without feeling pushed by the institution of “high school.” –Tami Barrett
4. Acquire a moral base in their education as well as an academic one. Cultivating a biblical worldview, serving others through community service, learning a standard of biblical thought and practice go hand in hand with strong academics when homeschooled. This is especially important in the teen years and is a privilege to be a part of.
“In an environment where students practice principles of self-government (i.e., self-control), not only can a teacher accomplish a great deal of teaching, but students can accomplish a great deal of learning.” -Dr. C. Overman
5. Grow into a self-confident adult. Positive peer pressure outweighs the negative when doing school at home. When negative stuff pops up, and it does, it is used as a teaching tool.
6. Enjoy a less stressful, flexible schedule. Evenings to spend as a family are much more enjoyable without the stress of homework. Mornings aren’t spent anxiously rushing to the bus. Academics are self-paced and made to fit the family schedule as well as the child’s personal learning style. 
7. Socialize. Yes, believe it or not, homeschooling is not the reason a person becomes odd or weird. An antisocial person can easily be found both inside and out of the typical classroom. Homeschoolers have the advantage of spending much of their time in the real world interacting with all ages in various circumstances and are not confined to the structured classroom. Shopping with mom, accompanying siblings to doctor appointments, enrolling in special interest classes, volunteering in the community and spending extra time with family all produce well-rounded individuals socialized outside of the classroom by the real world.
Are you on the homeschool journey? If so, what are the benefits you are discovering?
“Continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:14-17 NASB).
In Him,
- Ch…ch…ch…CHANGES Are Coming in 2017 for TMI - December 27, 2016
- What New Thing Are You Ready to See God Do in Your Life in 2017? - December 26, 2016
- Heaviness and Newness - December 23, 2016
