Make sure you check out the giveaway at the bottom of this page!

Create a Catered Education

One benefit of homeschooling is the ability to create a catered education for our children. Parents of traditionally schooled kids can do the same! Many public and private schools have upped the ability for students as young as middle school to participate in classes and workshops catered to a specific trade.

Majority of colleges today offer dual programs for students to enroll in college courses to get a head start on their higher education journey. These programs are great ways for children to get their feet wet in the field of their choice, with ample time to make any necessary changes.

There are also opportunities within communities offered by small (and large) businesses for students to do things like volunteer or complete an internship. Most homeschooling families are already aware of these opportunities, but this is something parents who don’t can learn from homeschoolers because it is available to all children.

Creative Ways to Learn

If there’s one thing most homeschooling families can do, it’s find creative ways to learn. I commend traditional school teachers who try to take learning outside the box, but the learning doesn’t have to stop there. Parents can carry on creative learning at home – especially when it comes to completing homework or important assignments.

Finding creative ways to help children learn will not only take the mundane out of the process, but also allow their creative juices to flow as well. Parents can learn a thing or two about their child’s learning styles when they invite them to brainstorm creative ways to making learning fun outside the traditional school setting.

What Parents Can Learn from Homeschoolers about Socialization!

Yep, that word – socialize. What most people don’t realize is that homeschooled children are just as, if not more, socialized as traditional school children. How can this be? For starters, we have many opportunities for socialization from play/park dates, field trips, CO-OP groups, and more.

Taking socialization beyond the school setting (and even sports) can open a world of possibilities for children. Incorporating weekend field trips and library-in-the-evening days are just a few unique ways to socialize beyond the classroom.

Build a Tight Family Dynamic

With traditionally schooled children spending the majority of their time around everyone but their family’s, it may seem hard to build a tight family dynamic. This is another one of those areas that seem to be a given for homeschooling families, but again – this isn’t always the case.

Some homeschooling families experience a parent being gone majority of the time due to work. Others may encounter issues with single-parenting homes. Regardless, building a tight family dynamic takes work. Being able to spend a lot more time with our children has its rewards, yes. But, we also have to be mindful and conscious in making the most of that time.

What can public school parents learn from homeschoolers? Finding unique ways to spend time together with no distractions is the start of building that strong family dynamic. Having open conversations and times to simply relax are just a few more ways.

Enjoy the Journey

Regardless if you are a homeschooling parent or a parent of children who attend a public/private school… enjoy the journey. Some homeschooling moms would admit that educating their children at home was the last thing they thought about doing.

Some may even admit that they are not particularly happy with homeschooling at the moment. And surely the same things can be said by parents who would love to homeschool their children. In the end, it’s all about enjoying the journey and embracing the process.

I’m not saying that homeschooling moms have it all together. Nor am I saying that there aren’t things to learn from parents with traditionally schooled parents. I just want to raise awareness that we can all learn a thing or two from one another, and that’s worth noting.

CHIME IN: What are some things you’ve learned from a homeschooling mom? Let me know in the comments below!

Back to Homeschool Giveaway!

A new homeschool year will be upon us in no time! Have you started planning and prepping yet? Preparing for a new homeschool year is an exciting time, but it can also create feelings of overwhelm and stress! Many homeschoolers live on one income and have to stick to a strict budget that doesn’t always allow for much wiggle room.

That’s why I’ve teamed up with a group of amazing homeschool bloggers to make getting ready for your new school year just a little bit easier and hopefully a little less stressful for you. Our hope is that we can bless a few homeschool families (although we wish we could bless many more) and ease a little of that financial burden and help you check some extra things off your homeschool wish list this year.

Three people will win a $250 gift card to either Rainbow Resource Center or Christianbook.com – two great places to shop for homeschool curriculum and resources, with the best prices around!!

To enter for your chance to win, simply use the Rafflecopter form below to enter.  Now I know this is quite a few entries, but each of these bloggers has generously chipped in their own money to make this giveaway possible, so I hope you will take the time to do all of the entries.  And hey, the more entries you do, the better your odds are of winning! Giveaway ends July 21, 2023 at 11:59pm ET. 

Must be at least 18 years of age.  Must be a resident of U.S. or Canada to enter.  Selected winners will have 48 hours to respond to email notification to claim their prizes or another winner will be drawn.  By entering this giveaway, you agree to be added to the email lists of the participating bloggers (see the Terms & Conditions on the Rafflecopter form). a Rafflecopter giveaway

The post 5 Things Public School Parents Can Learn From Homeschoolers (GIVEAWAY) first appeared on True Aim.

I believe the question is valid, but there is also another side to that question to consider – Are grades actually helping your child’s education?  

What is the purpose of grades?

The purpose of grades carries quite a few characteristics. For starters, they can serve as a type of progress report. In public/private school settings, they are a way to literally track a child’s progress. Grades are also a form of communication, letting parents know about the progress their child is making.

Grades are also used as a measuring tool. They are an attempt to show how much a child has learned about a particular subject and/or concept. While the purpose of grades doesn’t seem so bad, there are also downsides to them.

For some children, grades can trigger anxiety and feelings of needing to measure up. They can also create a lack of motivation in children who feel like all they’re doing is learning “for the grade.” With these purposes (good and bad) in mind, let’s look at three questions to consider when asking yourself if grades are actually helping your child’s education. 

Is having a grade system required by law?

Without a doubt, it is vital for homeschooling parents to know what is required by their state. In some states, it is not necessary to turn in any type of proof of homeschooling, grading, progress reports, and the like. In other states, it may be absolutely necessary to meet such standards.

If you live in a state that requires some form of grading system, my advice is to create a progress report or grade card and fill it out to the best of your ability. In some cases, it may help to keep a few pieces of work with grades written on them to help with record-keeping.

What is my child’s personality type?

Legalities aside, having an understanding of your child’s personality type can help determine if a grading system is helping or hindering them. Homeschool On has a great personality test for kids that you can use to get an idea of their “color type.”

Once you have an idea of your child’s personality type, you can then plug in ways to hold them accountable for their work completed (or not). For the rule-following, people-pleasing child, he or she may thrive with seeing a physical grade written on their paper.

For the outgoing, impatient child, they may thrive better with a more relaxed or eclectic way of tracking their progress. Sara from Heart and Soul Homeschooling talks a little more about delight-directed schooling on the blog. 

Are there other ways to evaluate my child’s work?

Yes. There are many different ways to evaluate your child’s work. One of the biggest go-to ways for the do-it-yourself homeschooling parent is to create your own scale or rubric. Simply identify mile markers or milestones that your child needs to reach.

Some parents also go the pass/do-over (better than saying “fail”) route. Pass means they can move on to the next concept, while do-over means that a little more time will be spent on a subject matter. For the younger homeschooled child, you can get really creative. Stickers, stamps, and keepsake work portfolios are ideas for highlighting work well done.

There are also specific things you can look for when evaluating your child:

• attitude
• interest
• comprehension
• consistency

For the older homeschooled child, it will most likely be necessary to have a transcript of some sort, especially if they plan to pursue higher education.

Other Concerns About Grades

Grades can sometimes backfire on homeschooling parents, leading one to believe that something is wrong with their “teaching” when their child isn’t doing well. Whether you decide to give formal grades or not, find comfort in these tips:

• Every day is a chance to foster the love of learning in your child.
• You have the ability to provide amazing feedback and help your child individually.
• You can train your children to give their best effort in all they do.
• Remember that your child is not a failure.
• Each child is unique and so will their educational journey be.

In conclusion, grades do not have to be a bad thing. What matters most is if they are actually helping your child’s education, or hindering it.

CHIME IN: Do you give grades in your homeschool? Why or why not? Let us know in the comments below!

The post Are Grades Actually Helping Your Child’s Education? first appeared on True Aim.

If you don’t know me, I’m a homeschool mom of 6 and I’ve been homeschooling for 7 yrs! I had no idea I would be a homeschooler when I first became a mother, but while interacting and teaching my daughter when she was a toddler, I knew I wanted to do something different for her than what I went through.

You see, I’m a life-time public schooler. When I started my homeschool journey, I had no idea what I was doing. I tried a lot of different things and finally narrowed down the perfect fit for my family.

More and more moms are choosing to homeschool, but where do you start if you’re new? I’ve talked to SO many homeschoolers over the years! What was their advice to newbie homeschoolers? That was a question I always asked when I met a fellow homeschooler.

Want to know all the secrets?

Join me on August 20th as I go through the 5 steps to start homeschooling! Already a homeschooler? Start your year off with the right mindset, with more confidence, and some new insights! PLUS, you’ll be entered into a giveaway AND get access to Free curriculum!

Spots are limited so don’t wait!

Reserve your spot today!

The post 5 Steps to Start Homeschooling! – FREE Webclass! first appeared on True Aim.

Before I share the top 3, I want to make sure you check out the giveaway at the bottom of this post, and don’t forget to sign up for my FREE class on how to get started homeschooling here.

So what makes homeschoolers tick? Why are we so dedicated that we would give up a quiet home for over 6 hrs each day where we could eat ice cream and chips in peace and have the house clean for more than a few minutes?

Top 3 Reasons People Homeschool

You might have heard these before, but you won’t guess the order! It will make you think twice about your homeschooling doubts!

#3 – Faith/Worldview

Many people name faith as a main reason for educating their kids at home. This isn’t just religious instruction, this is the formation of a worldview.

It doesn’t matter if you believe in God or not, you have a worldview that shapes all your decisions, right and wrong. Homeschoolers believe that most schools should not be teaching these things to children or are doing a horrible job of this no matter what kind of character curriculum they adopt.

#2 – Academics

Most homeschoolers believe that schools are doing a poor job at teaching the basics as well as not giving children the life skills they need to lead healthy lives outside of academia. Statistic seem to prove their point with 63% of 4th graders reading below grade level.

#1 – TOP REASON PEOPLE HOMESCHOOL!

Did you guess correctly? The top reason people homeschool is that they feel the social environment is harmful and unsafe for their children. That’s interesting isn’t it?! This is one of the most common objections to homeschooling!

How will a child socialize if they don’t have access to children their own age? For homeschool parents, being in the same small room with more than 15 children of the same age with little adult supervision is no way to teach healthy social skills.

What is your reason for homeschooling?

Back to homeschool giveaway!

Another (home) school year is upon us! Some of you may have already started your year, or some of you might school all year long, or some of you might be making those final curriculum decisions before your new year starts.  Whatever boat you are in, I’m sure you could use a little extra money for homeschool curriculum or resources.  Am I right?

I’ve gotten together with some fellow homeschool bloggers and we are pooling our money together to bless two homeschool families with a gift card to spend on their homeschools.  How does $250 sound in helping you buy curriculum, books, games, puzzles, or whatever educational supplies you might need?  Two people will win a $250 gift card to Timberdoodle!!

We know homeschooling can put financial strain on families – whether it’s from living on one-income or buying curriculum for multiple children – the financial aspect of it can be stressful.  Our hope is that we can bless a couple of homeschool families (although we wish we could bless many more) so they can buy the curriculum and supplies they need.

To enter for your chance to win, simply use the Rafflecopter form below to enter.  Now I know that is quite a few entries for you, but each of these bloggers generously chipped in their own money to bring you this giveaway, so I hope you will take the time to do all of the entries.  And hey, the more entries you do, the better your odds are of winning!

Giveaway ends Aug. 15, 2018 at 11:59pm ET.  Must be at least 18 years of age.  Must be a resident of U.S. or Canada to enter.  Selected winners will have 48 hours to respond to email notification to claim their prizes or another winner will be drawn.  By entering this giveaway, you agree to be added to the email lists of the participating bloggers.  Please be sure to read the Terms & Conditions upon entering the giveaway.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

The post (Giveaway) Top 3 Reasons People Homeschool first appeared on True Aim.

What does having a degree mean?
Today, having a degree does not necessarily make you more qualified to teach than someone who doesn’t have one.  The skills you actually possess are the defining factor.  The completion of a list of classes and the required tasks associated with them is not a good measurement.

First, some people can take a class without learning or remembering anything significant.  Remember that French class you took in highschool?  The fact that I took one is the extent of what I can recall.  And did I really need to learn how to speak French?

That leads me to my next question; who decided what essential knowledge is needed to teach?  In most secular institutions, a degree in education starts with child psychology and the study of how children learn.  Again you could question the integrity of the origins of these topics, but that is a whole other story.

In short, most institutions are guided by the notion that there is no God and people have no spirit.  That is how experts look at our children; as animals or biological machines.  They try to put them in a box, categorize them, and label them.

Today, having a degree in education usually means two things; teachers have preconceived notions about the learning process, and two, the prestige a degree carries today may be misleading to both society, and the teacher who holds it.

The Prestige
They have just completed 17+ years of schooling.  They should be confident!  But a lot of the time, they take themselves too seriously.  Because the knowledge and techniques that teachers have gained through their degree is seen as essential, the logical conclusion is that it is the best.

What if the assumptions about how our children learn are wrong?  That means, the techniques and systems used to teach our children would miss their mark.

Parents’ esteem for a degree is also detrimental.  Parents believe “experts” are teaching their children and so, they pass the buck to the “more qualified” individual.  When their child slowly starts to fall behind, they start to point fingers.  They trusted the reputation of a piece of paper signed off by a stranger whom they know nothing of their motive or character.

Even society on the whole believes that the “highly qualified” institutions can do no wrong and instead of trying something different, they insist that funding is the problem.  “The experts just don’t have enough resources,” they say.

Dedication, Care, and Love
Who taught your child to crawl?  Who taught them to walk, speak, and use the toilet?  Who cried the first time they said, “I love you mommy?”

You know your child best.  You should not discount your methods or parenting style simply because you don’t have a certificate.

The stranger who has one is not ordained by God for the job.

God has put the responsibility on you and although everyone is accountable for their own wrong doings, you have to be sure you have done your best.  I am, by no means, discounting the dedication, patience, and love that teachers across this nation give to others’ children.  I am, however, questioning the efficiency and merit of the system and encouraging you to remember; you are your child’s first and best teacher.

Just to boost your confidence here are 10 successful people who don’t have a degree:
1. Micheal Dell – dropped out of college
2. Henry Ford – never graduated high school
3. Bill Gates – dropped out of Harvard, then 30 years later they just gave him a degree.
4. John D. Rockefeller Sr. – no formal college
5. Mark Zuckerburg – college drop out
6. Mary Kay – college drop out
7. Walt Disney – high school drop out
8. Steve Jobs – college drop out
9. Jane Austen – formal schooling until age 11, homeschooled, never attended college
10. Richard Branson – high school dropout

You won’t be able to put this book down!

The post I Could NEVER Homeschool My Children first appeared on True Aim.

Homeschooling should be outlawed…

1.  Because nothing motivates children to learn like a standardized test!

2.  Because if we just spend a little bit more money, public school is bound to work.

3.  Because ignorance is bliss!

4.  Because we’ll never have a level playing field, as long as homeschoolers keep over-achieving!

5.  Because bullies build character!

6.  Because homeschoolers aren’t social; they have little interest in sex, drugs and alcohol.

7.  Because who will authorize bathroom visits?

8.  Because learning to sit down, shut-up, and follow instructions is essential in any democratic society.

9.  Because sure George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, and Abraham Lincoln were homeschooled, but just look at Clinton, Bush and Obama!  They all went to school!

10.  Because if students didn’t spend all their time sitting in classes, practicing sports and studying homework, their non-union parents might impact their lives in an unauthorized way.

11.  Because insanity ISN’T doing the same thing over and over, and expecting a different result.

12.  Because how else will children learn to raise their hands?

13.  Because it’s the only way governments can ensure children have the freedom to learn… the “official” truth.

14.  Because government schools are doing such a great job!

15.  Because is learning to read really that important?

16.  Because nothing helps children grow into mature adults, like spending all their time with immature children their own age.

17.  Because science is believing “bang” everything came from nothing and “poof” man crawled out of a mud puddle.

18.  Because a student-teacher ratio of 30:1 isn’t crowded – it’s cozy!

19.  Because no one can tie childhood obesity to school lunches and 7 hrs. of sitting.

20.  Because if the Government has to force you to do something, you just know it’s for your own good.

21.  Because Common Core is going to cure everything ailing our schools!

22.  Because teachers have to eat too.

23.  Because teacher unions were created to help kids learn better!

24.  Because God commands schools, not parents, to raise their children in the Lord.  Right?

25.  Because Bibles are overrated anyway.

26.  Because more adults can join the rat race when governments provide “free” babysitting.

27.  Because school is the only way to teach children where babies come from.

28.  Because irresponsible parents can’t be trusted to give their children free condoms and birth control.

29.  Because when Russia, China, and N. Korea have school, it’s indoctrination.  But when we do it, it’s EDUCATION!

30.  Because government bureaucrats care more about our children than we do.

31.  Because gangsters, pot-heads, goths, sluts, jocks, nerds and class-clowns AREN’T socially awkward.

32.  Because nothing prepares a child for the real world, like being excluded from it!

33.  Because medicated children are happy children!

34.  Because parents see energy, while teachers know it’s really ADHD.

35.  Because great leaders like, Hitler, Marx, and Stalin all agree that homeschooling is really bad!

I’m sure this list is incomplete.  So please leave a comment, letting us know what you would add to the list and let me know which reason is your favorite.  If you like this post, please follow us on facebook.  Also, check out The Dumbest Argument Against Homeschooling EVER!

Discover What School is REALLY Doing to Kids

The post 35 Reasons to OUTLAW Homeschooling! first appeared on True Aim.

Well, let me first reassure any doubting parents out there that not only do uneducated, inexperienced, low-budget moms compete with public education, but they out perform it  by radical margins.  The results are the same for private schools, although not quite as drastic.   And don’t think these are rare exceptions.  Regardless of ethnicity, income, and geographic location, homeschool students test better.  These results seem to contradict logic.  How are these under-qualified moms, beating the best efforts of the “professionals?”

The reality is that homeschools are the ideal educational environment.  Whatever advantages large budgets, professional teachers and modern facilities offer, they are quickly neutralized by other more important factors.  Although I could write a book on the advantages of home education, the most important factor is often over-looked.  YOU ARE THEIR MOTHER (or father)!

Why Moms Teach Best

No one will ever love your children like you do.  Their success, is your success.  Their future and your future are one and the same.  You also share genetic and personality traits that help you relate to one another.  And as far as young children are concerned, there is no one that they love more, want to impress more, and trust more, than Mom and Dad.

And no matter how much a teacher cares, that teacher is still a “stranger” in the eyes of your children.  That teacher can never be trusted or loved the way children love and trust their mother and father.  That is because love between parents and children is natural and unconditional.

In fact, no stronger bond exists in the world, than that between a young child and his parents.  Perhaps, that is why God Himself assigned the raising of children, not to villages, but to families.  Therefore, the monumental fact, that you are your children’s mother or father, makes you uniquely over-qualified to homeschool them!

Don’t underestimate yourself.  Just being MOM is more than enough.

Need more reasons you don’t have to worry about teaching your children? Watch our video!

Check out Our Curriculum Store for Homeschool Help!

The post Homeschool Moms are Over-Qualified! first appeared on True Aim.

One of the best ways that I have found to remain positive in regards to homeschooling during the winter is to remind myself of all the reasons why I love homeschooling. In my heart I know that I do love homeschooling, but sometimes my thoughts try to take over and I have to choose to remember why I love homeschooling.

Why I Love Homeschooling My Children

• We homeschool at the pace that is right for our children

We don’t rush through lessons or textbooks just because we have to get it done before we move onto the next grade. If we need to work on fractions for a few weeks to get them down pat, we do. If diagramming correctly is a struggle, we’ll focus on that as long as it takes before we move onto the next thing. Homeschooling is a journey, not a race to complete the lessons by a particular date.

• Our yearly homeschool schedule is year round

We don’t have to try and squeeze 175 days of homeschooling into a 9 month time period. We use all 12 months of the year to homeschool and always go over the 175 days required by our state. Year Round Homeschooling does not mean we homeschool 365 days of the year, it means that we use the entire calendar year to our advantage and homeschool throughout the year taking breaks when we’d like.

• We are making memories

By choosing to homeschool our children, we aren’t just giving them an education, we’re making memories. The first time I heard my son read, it wasn’t just an educational accomplishment, it is a memory that will last my whole life. When my daughter beamed with pride after writing her first storybook, the light in her eyes is a memory I will never forget.

• Our family goes on field trips together

We don’t send our kids off to go on a field trip and wait for them to come home to tell us about it. We go together and learn about the animals in the zoo, take a hike and see amazing views from fire towers and experience learning together!

• We start and end school according to our daily schedule

We don’t wake up our kids to get started with school, they wake up when their bodies have gotten enough sleep. Kids need sleep in order to grow and to learn well, so we ensure they have a consistent bedtime and don’t rush them to get up and moving in the morning.

• Our family learns together

As our children are learning, so are my husband and I. We relearn things that we’ve forgotten from our school days and learn things that we never knew before! Homeschooling truly is an educational journey for the entire family!

• We pick our own homeschool curriculum

Thankfully homeschoolers have the freedom to choose the curriculum they want to use in their homeschool. Sometimes our homeschool curriculum choices change from year to year, so I’m very thankful that we have the choice!

• Our children’s character is part of our homeschool

We don’t just focus on academics in our homeschool. Our children’s character training is just as much a part of their homeschool education as Math, English and Literature.

• We have quality time together as as family

When I worked outside the home, the time we had together as a family was limited. I was stressed and had too much to do while home from work for a few short hours, so having quality time together as a family was nonexistent. It is a true blessing the amount of quality time we have together now as a homeschool family.

• Our children aren’t the only ones growing and learning

It’s amazing, but as I’m homeschooling my children I realize just how much I am growing and learning throughout the process. It isn’t just about educating my children, homeschooling involves so much more than education. With each passing year, as a homeschool mom I’m realizing just how much I am capable of, how much my kids have taught me, I see where I’ve grown with each step I leave behind and what I still have yet to learn that lies ahead.

Homeschooling truly isn’t just about educating my children. Homeschooling is about educating the whole family. I love homeschooling because it is life changing for my kids and for myself.

Why do you love homeschooling your children?

The post 10 Reasons I Love Homeschooling first appeared on True Aim.

1. You can teach your children how they learn best.

Whether your kids like textbooks, hands-on learning, unit studies or literature; you can use whatever homeschooling method that works best for your children in your homeschool!

2. You can homeschool at your own pace.

As long as you are moving forward you are never behind. You do not have to feel pressured to keep up with anyone else, much less everyone.

3. You can set your own homeschool hours.

If you’re not a morning person and your kids love to sleep in, afternoon homeschooling may be the answer for your family!

4. You can take days off when you need to.

Everyone needs a break sometimes and homeschooling allows you the opportunity to take the breaks when you need them without having to worry about playing catch up.

5. You can snuggle your little blessings while teaching.

You can never get enough snuggles, gather your little blessings and snuggle on the couch while learning about the history of the world, astronomy or go on an adventure through literature!

6. You can homeschool year round.

There are 365 days in the year, you can choose which ones to use in your homeschool! Summertime learning can be lots of fun and vacation destinations can be less expensive in the wintertime!

7. You choose what to teach and decide when to teach it.

Ask your kids what they want to learn about and start there, you don’t have to teach in any particular order as a homeschooler.

8. You can go on field trips on quiet, less crowded days.

Taking trips to the zoo or museum is much more enjoyable when the school isn’t visiting. Planning your trips during the quiet season makes learning and exploring more fun!

9. You don’t have to use textbooks to teach.

Not all kids love textbooks and they aren’t the only resource for homeschooling anymore. Lapbooks, living books, unit studies and more are great options for your homeschool!

10. You can drink coffee while teaching your children.

This is a must in my home. I always have coffee in hand while teaching my kids, it’s a staple in my homeschool.

Why are you thankful for homeschooling?

The post 10 Reasons to Be Thankful for Homeschooling first appeared on True Aim.

Education

“Everybody is a genius, but if you judge a fish the way it climbs a tree, it will live its whole life believing it is stupid.” -Albert Einstein

It drives me crazy when people measure other’s intelligence by grades. Throughout the years, I’ve learned to value education over grades. To me, this is priceless. I’ve learned the difference between learning and studying. My intelligence isn’t measured by a standardized test – I’m not a standardized person.

I love learning, but I hate studying. Being a visual person, I learn best by books; where my imagination runs wild on what life must have been like hiding from the Nazis in the forest or smuggling Bibles behind the Iron curtain. I also love documentaries and yes, movies. Being homeschooled, I have time to study my passions (WWII) and pursue interests (professional blogging).

I am a strong believer that our educational system should focus less on grades and more on actual learning. What we have created in public schools isn’t learning – it’s studying for a test. I know several teachers who enjoy teaching, but are being bogged down by the pressures of regulations and mandatory testing.

The Socialization

In my awkward middle school stage, I never felt pressured to be anyone else other than myself. I think this pivotal time in my life has shaped who I am today. While the majority of my peers, including many of whom I knew in middle school, were worried about fitting in, I heavily studied literature, WWII, politics, and started my blog. Again, this is something I am extremely grateful for and don’t take for granted.

While I think I’d still be the same way to some degree if I went to public school (my parents are both strong-willed, and my personality showed through even as a kindergartener), homeschooling allowed me to truly break the mold of the typical teenager, and to do so without peer judgement when it mattered the least.

For the most part, the people I do socialize with are more mature than I am, and/or help me grow in some way. (“Either you’re a blessing, or a lesson.”)

I think teens are the most capable and have the most potential of any other age group. Yet, the majority of teens are known for wasting their teen years, and it’s expected. Since the beginning of time, teens have been world changers and history makers. In today’s culture, we’ve been horribly under-estimated, and frankly, teens are expected to be idiots. Being around peers (and even some adults) with this mentality makes me bonkers, and isn’t the type of socialization I’m interested in.

The Prom Question

I often get asked about how I feel about never attending prom. Homeschooling has given me so many experiences beyond a school dance or prom.

Experiences

For the superficial reasons, I can shop in the afternoons, take a day off school when I need a break, and do school in my sweat pants. I’m a night owl, and can stay up late and work, and wake up at around 7:30. On a more serious note, I’m closer with my family and sisters, with the sister I’m closest with having gymnastics practice every day from 4-8PM. With a half hour to and from the gym, I would never get to see her if we weren’t homeschooled.

While my peers are in color guard, debate club, and the football team – I’ve started my own business, blog, and have had the chance to speak in front of almost every local high school, and several large audiences. My business, blog, and part-time graphic design eat up the majority of my time. Add dual enrollment classes at a local college, and a State scholarship competition coming up, and I can’t imagine adding eight hours of school plus homework to the mix.

I don’t have anything against public school kids, nor do I blame them for a lot of problems our society and the public school system has created. I can’t say homeschooling is for everyone, or that every day was easy-peasy. Homeschooling requires a LOT of self-motivation, and I’ll freely admit my family gets on my nerves often and we occasionally have days that end in stressed tears. I’ve learned to accept that this is life, and life without ups and downs would be pointless.

I’m a Senior. With only a few more months of my homeschool journey left, education is one of my biggest passions and I love being able to give back, offer homeschool tips and advice, and share my story. Homeschooling isn’t about copying the public school system. It’s about finding what works best for your family.

The post Breaking the Mold: Thoughts from a Homeschooled Senior first appeared on True Aim.