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12 Easy Ways Homeschooled Teens and Tweens Socialize

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This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

It’s a valid concern; homeschooled teens and tweens need to socialize more than we do sometimes.

I used to joke that if it was left up to me, I would prefer to stay at home instead of ever going to a field trip. After being around other homeschool moms or families for a day at a fun field trip or homeschool event, I always felt very differently.

12 Easy Ways Homeschooled Teens and Tween Socialize

Homeschooled Teens Socialization

Then, I realized I should have worried more about socialization at the teen and tween years. It’s important to have your kids around other kids when they’re in the younger years;; it teaches your kids to not just focus on self. On the other hand, the teen and tween years have very different needs.

Now that two of my sons are grown, I know that my husband and I are their best friends. But my grown sons have best friends that came from outside of our family as it should be.

Homeschooled teens and tweens need friends outside their family. It’s essential and natural to a child’s development to have friends outside their family.

6 Benefits of Homeschooled Friends

Looking back I know that my kids received many benefits from having homeschooled friends.

Oh yes we have other friends that were not homeschooled, but being a close friend is different.

While we joke a lot about in our homeschool lifestyle, friends are especially important to teens and tween.

Look at 6 benefits of having friends:

  • When my kids had a friend with our similar lifestyle it made homeschooling the norm;
  • It taught my kids about what is true loyalty – it’s not blindly being loyal to a person who is deceptive to their parents and others around him;
  • Finding friends with similar likes and hobbies as my kids encourages passionate lifelong learning;
  • My kids learned how to listen to others and be interested in them – who wants to be around a person who talks about himself only or shows no interest in what others are doing;
  • My sons learned how to be generous and share not just their things, but with their personal time; and
  • Friendships helped them to avoid being lonely.

12 Ways Homeschooled Kids Socialize

One/ Host a LAN party.

I know, I too had to ask my kids what it was when they got invited. But it’s a gathering where a connection is made for multiple game playing. One friend had a router for connecting all of the kids’ games so they could play together.

Grab the pizza and the teens will have fun! The thing with this is that they can play the game and do just a bit of talking. It’s a great icebreaker. This is especially good if your teens or tweens are hesitant about being around others.

Two/Game night.

Kids love games and many ages can play together. Get one or two of your kids to make some brownies and have everyone bring a board game they like and let them enjoy.

Side note: At times I’ve had to set a minimum age for ones to attend just because I didn’t want them to feel too baby-ish. Most homeschooled teens are inclusive of younger kids so teens and tweens together had fun. But there were times they just older ones close to their age.

Three/ Movie night OR movie afternoon.

Depending on everyone’s schedule, my teens did a lot of movies in the early afternoon because it wasn’t crowded. You know as homeschoolers we’re ready to have fun a lot earlier than the public school schedule. After the movie and depending on the group’s budget, they may grab supper and continue visiting.

Going in the afternoon made for a longer period of time and they still were home at a decent hour. This matters if you have new drivers like I did and I no longer went with them.

Four/ Nature Hikes.

Depending on the weather, any time for a tween or teen is a good time for a hike. Barring absolute flooding, my boys were always up for something outside although I may not have been. Normally it doesn’t cost a lot either.

Five/ Escape Rooms.

If you don’t know what they are, I bet your tween and teens do. The first time my boys did one, they were hooked. But it’s a room that has clues (items) left in it and as a group you have to solve the riddles to get out of the room.

Some escape rooms are at libraries, others places are theme parks. Just google escape rooms near me. Again, it’s a great activity for a group to do as they work together to solve the riddles and mysteries to get out/escape the room. They’re timed, but depending on the room it’s normally like a few hours.

Six/ Ballroom dance group just for homeschoolers.

Although my boys were NOT aboard when I formed the dance class, they needed an extra half credit for fine arts. This was my solution. I would have never guessed that they would have loved it as much as they did all the while telling me they were NOT doing it.

We got other boys and girls to make couples and met up once a week. All the teens had a great time. It matters too who are the instructors. We had young and hip instructors and all the group were homeschoolers. My boys have great memories from this once a week meet up.

Seven/Skating (Ice or Roller).

Whether you decide to rent out the ice skating rink or rolling rink or just skate at the park, the kids love it. One group I know said to bring mini wheels and some brought skateboards too.

Eight/ Laser tag.

My boys all loved laser tag. We always met at games rooms so that the kids could have a variety of things to choose from.

Nine/Bowling.

Bowing is another great way for kids to have fun and talk. The more the merrier is best. My boys loved doing this because they could actually talk with their friends instead of just being in a movie and not really having time to visit.

Ten/Theatre.

My boys also loved theatre. It’s a great way to be around other adults. One year we actually put on a performance of Shakespeare at our co-op. So whether you have a theatre night in your homeschool group or go see a play, kids love it.

Eleven/Form a 4-H Club.

Ask your local 4-H office how to set up a club, but they’re fairly easy. We were part of one for enrichment and electives. Each month the kids would decide if they would learn photography together or sewing.

Twelve/ Park days are still cool.

Tweens and teens don’t mind meeting up at the park too. Normally it’s never too crowded during the day unless the public school had a field trip planned that day.

That has happened plenty of times to us. But the kids just visit with each other and enjoy their lunch.

As parents we would bring our curriculum to show each other for the new year and the tweens and teens would bring their games or music. They loved just hanging out with each other.

I remember one time looking over at the huge group because they had a huge roar of laughter. They were arm wrestling. I’m telling you, just provide a place that is fun and they’ll talk and make friends.

There is NO shortage for homeschooled tweens and teens to socialize. These are just the EASY ways I listed for you. Most of these things don’t require much time to host or get together.

What things does your homeschooled tween or teen like to do with other tweens and kids?

12 Easy Ways Homeschooled Teens and Tween Socialize. It's a valid concern; homeschooled teens and tweens need to socialize more than we do sometimes. Planning time for tweens and teens to socialize doesn’t have to be hard. You’ll love these 12 Easy Ways Homeschooled Teens and Tween Socialize. CLICK HERE to read it!

You’ll loves these other tips and articles:

Hugs and love ya,

Homeschool Planning 2019 to 2023 Major Holidays Form (5 Years One Page)

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This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Each year, I update my very unique 7 Step Free Homeschool Planner. The form I have today is for homeschool planning 2019 to 2023. It has Major U.S. holidays on one page for easy reference.  It is a nifty hard-working tool because I use it for both short-term and long-term planning.

These forms are used to help you plan not just your homeschool year, but vacations and days off in your school year.

This form is for homeschool planning 2019 to 2023. It has Major U.S. holidays on one page for easy reference. It is a nifty hard-working tool because I use it for both short-term and long-term planning.It goes along with this 7 Step Free Homeschool Planner! CLICK here to grab BOTH free AWESOME colorful choices!

By looking this far ahead, it helps me to decide when I want to take a family vacation. And I use it with my homeschool planning calendar.

5 Years of Major U.S. Holidays One Page

I generally print several of these for my home management binder and my free homeschool planner.

Grab your color choices below or grab both of them.

Click here to grab the Purple-licious 2019 to 2023 Holiday Reference Page.

Click here to grab the Aquazoom 2019 to 2023 Holiday Reference Page.

If you’re ready to start putting together your homeschool planner, be sure to grab one or both of these updated holiday reference pages.

And if you’re ready to begin building your free homeschool planner, click below.

Look at these other products that I know you’ll love!

This form is for homeschool planning 2019 to 2023. It has Major U.S. holidays on one page for easy reference. It is a nifty hard-working tool because I use it for both short-term and long-term planning.It goes along with this 7 Step Free Homeschool Planner! CLICK here to grab BOTH free AWESOME colorful choices!

7 Easy Steps – “Tons of Options & Pretty Color” Begin building your planner

Step 1. Choose a Pretty Front/Back Cover

Step. 2. Choose Calendars/Appointment Keepers

Step 3. Choose Goals/Objectivesur

Step 4. Choose Lesson Planning Pages Right For You!

Step 5a. Choose Unique forms JUST for You! 

Step 5b. Choose MORE Unique Forms JUST for You!

Step 5c. Choose MORE MORE Unique Forms Just for You!

Step 6. Personalize It

Step 7. Bind it! Love itD

Top 5 Homeschool Approaches New Homeschoolers Need to Know

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This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

After deschooling, a new homeschooler’s first step is to get a basic grasp of the top 5 homeschool approaches.

Having a basic grasp of the top 5 approaches new homeschoolers can conquer overwhelm and tame the curriculum beast.

First, understand these two basic clarifications to dispel misunderstandings about our lifestyle.

  • Deschooling is a process, not a homeschool approach. It’s the process ALL new homeschoolers or homeschoolers should do initially or from time to time if they struggle. See my link below.
  • Unschooling IS a homeschool approach. While we’re ALL homeschooling were NOT all unschooling. Big difference.

A colossal mistake is to focus first on curriculum instead of a homeschool approach. Too, taking time to read this article all the way through will put you ahead miles.

What is a Homeschool Approach

Top 5 Approaches New Homeschoolers Need to Know

Also, before jumping into homeschool approaches, you need to understand the curative power of how to tap into your teaching style and your child’s learning style. They may not be the same and from the start you may unintentionally cause problems.

Simply put, a homeschool approach or homeschool style is an educational philosophy which is implemented or followed through by using curriculum as a tool.

Besides, there are no right or wrong, better or worse, or smarter or dumber approaches. I’ve seen success stories and failures with each approach.

An approach is a method, goals, and values that are important to you. Part of deciding a homeschool approach is to determine what are your families priorities. That is why there is no right or wrong, just what is best for your family. An approach is how you will implement what you want your children to learn.

Secret Revealed: Homeschool Approaches Essentials

For example, on a history topic, a Charlotte Mason homeschooler will look for a living book on the topic while a Classical homeschooler may look for a book from the great minds of the past.

That is just one simple example.

Whether you intentionally or unintentionally chose it, EVERYONE has a homeschool approach when they begin.

It’s better to pick it for your family’s needs. So, don’t jump in and choose curriculum that is fitted for a homeschool approach that is opposite of your child’s learning style.

There are a few things for you to know so that you make an informed choice.

Next, look at my video on YouTube How To Easily Choose and Distinguish between Homeschool Educational Approaches.

Additionally, understanding these 6 fundamental points will help you to increase the odds of success. Below are the first three points.

  1. Did you know that just about ALL curriculum falls into one or more of the homeschool approaches? By narrowing down to an approach that fits your family’s values and your children’s needs you have tamed the curriculum hunt. Reduce overwhelm by choosing the method FIRST.
  2. It’s NOT necessary to know EVERY approach just like it’s not necessary to understand EVERY ingredient in a homemade dish. The most used ingredients are key to understanding the big picture. Homeschool styles or approaches are similar. You don’t need to know EVERY single one, but only the most popular one. Some styles are not as popular. Not that they are unimportant, but the top 5 homeschool approaches are what a majority of homeschoolers use. As you’re more experienced, you can delve into the others.
  3. There is NO need to choose only one. If you see that one or two follow your goals, then pick and choose the teaching points and combine them. It’s called eclectic. Eclectic is not really an approach, but a type of homeschooler.

And then look at the next three points.

Best Homeschooling Approaches

  1. With that being said, DO choose one that fits MOSTLY with your goals because it cuts down on frustration. By having one that is your dominant one, you can find curriculum that fits it first and then delve into curriculum that fits other approaches that comes in second. It REALLY reduces teaching fatigue to have one major approach that you can rely on.
  2. You can change on a dime if one is not working. There is no harm done. Maybe you’ve not accomplished what you’ve set out to do because you chose a homeschool approach that doesn’t really embrace how your child learns. He probably has still retained some of the information. Just switch approaches, chalk it up to being inexperienced, and move on.
  3. One more HUGE point to remember and that is NOT every homeschool approach has a plethora of planned out curriculum to choose from. There are more choices now than used to be, but remember you’re following an APPROACH and using curriculum as tools. Bottom line: An exceptional teacher will be able to use what she has to tweak to fit her students. Yes, it may take a bit more work, but it can be done. Be sure to see my post at the bottom where I used a textbook to do our unit study.

Moreover, here are some of the most popular homeschool styles and I’ve listed a few curriculum suggestions as examples of each.

5 Homeschool Approaches

Traditional Textbook Homeschool Approach

Characteristics

  • textboook driven
  • worksheets
  • test driven
  • follows a sequential scope and sequence
  • record keeping/grading services
  • often been called “conveyor-belt” education

Textbooks and workbooks are used. This is what a lot of us used in public school and the approach most of us are familiar with. And this is the way most new homeschoolers start out. Ask yourself why you would want to repeat the same approach that is not working in public school.

Many online public school at home providers have popped up in the last 10 years. Even online schools which may not necessarily use printed material may still under this approach because it’s based on textbooks.

A graded textbook guides teaching, and subjects are covered in increments over the course of a school year.  Textbooks may be supplemented with worktexts or books.

A few curriculum providers (both secular and Christian)

  • Abeka
  • Acellus
  • Bob Jones
  • Calvert

Unit Study Homeschool Approach

Characteristics

  • where all subjects are covered by being focused on one topic
  • child-led or parent directed
  • emphasis is on mastery-based learning instead of ages
  • natural real-life approach to learning
  • students can see the whole picture
  • creating self-learning

Unit Studies take a specific theme or topic and delves into it deeply over a period of time. The emphasis is on integrating language arts, social studies, science, history, fine arts, and math together while focused on one unit of study or theme.

The unit study philosophy emphasizes that all knowledge is connected and remembered longer when taught in an integrated fashion.

A few curriculum providers

Charlotte Mason Homeschool Approach

Characteristics

  • oral narration
  • written narration
  • copywork
  • nature study
  • journaling
  • use of living books
  • form habits

Homeschool Approaches

Charlotte Mason was a turn of the century British educator whose approach was to teach children skills such as reading, writing, and math, and then expose them to the best sources of knowledge for all other subjects.

This means taking nature walks, visiting museums to view art up close, or reading what she called “living books.”  Textbooks are viewed as dry and dull and to be avoided in favor of richer sources of knowledge.

A few curriculum providers

Classical Homeschool Approach

Characteristics

  • intensive language arts focused
  • emphasis on Latin, Greek and Hebrew
  • progression through learning based on child’s development
  • reading great books as a way to connect to great minds

In Ancient Greece, emphasis was place on learning the tools of learning. 

These tools could then be applied to the study of any subject. 

This classical” approach would have students study grammar, the dialectic or logic phase, and finally rhetoric. These tools were known as the “trivium.”

Following the study of these subjects were arithmetic, geometry, astronomy, and music – called the “quadrivium.” The approach is to teach learning in “stages” according to the child’s development.

The book by Dorothy Sayers’ The Lost Tools of Learning is a reference  for this approach; Susan Wise Bauer’s The Well Trained Mind was the first book of its kind to lay out curriculum suggestions for this approach.

A few curriculum providers

  • Institute for Excellence in Writing
  • Veritas Press
  • Memoria Press

Unschooling Homeschool Approach

Characteristics

  • learning is directed almost entirely by the child which is where unschoolers differ from other homeschoolers
  • instead of teaching being at the center, the child is at the center of learning
  • children should not be forced to learn something against their will
  • more access to the real-world
  • creating self-learners
  • to provide an environment with rich resources

Homeschool Styles Are Homeschool Approaches

John Holt was a twentieth-century American educator who believed that children’s natural curiosity and desire to learn were destroyed by traditional schooling. 

He is generally associated with the unschooling approach, which focuses on nonstructural learning that allows children to pursue their own interests and believes that children should be included in a meaning full way in the life of adults.

The approach has the child at the center of learning and subjects revolve around his interests.

The child is exposed to a rich environment of resources, including an adult who models a lifestyle of curiosity and learning.  Formal academics are pursued when the need arises or when the child indicates willingness.

A few curriculum providers

  • Because learning is child-led, homeschoolers will have many resources in their homes from living books to games. Also, every day learning experiences are used to teach every day. Many curriculum resources are unschooling friendly.

Look at some of these posts The Big List of Unit Study Hands-on (and Hands-off) Curriculum and Big Ol’ List of All-In-One Homeschool Curriculum (a.k.a Boxed) which will help you with curriculum.

I hope these tips give you a starting point.

Top 5 Approaches New Homeschoolers Need to Know

You’ll want to read these other tips.

Hugs and love ya,

After deschooling, a new homeschooler’s first step is to get a basic grasp of homeschool approaches. Having a basic grasp of the top 5 approaches new homeschoolers can conquer overwhelm and tame the curriculum beast. CLICK HERE to read this SUPER helpful list!
After deschooling, a new homeschooler’s first step is to get a basic grasp of homeschool approaches. Having a basic grasp of the top 5 approaches new homeschoolers can conquer overwhelm and tame the curriculum beast. CLICK HERE to read this SUPER helpful list!

100 Easy Ways Kids Can Fight Boredom & Celebrate Childhood

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This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

“I’m bored!” Two infamous words that make every parent cringe. It’s frustrating to hear our kids complain about having nothing to do. We immediately feel resentful and turn into our own parents hollering the phrases we swore we’d never say ourselves. How can you possibly be bored?! I’ll give you something to do!  Anybody else guilty of this?

I’ve rounded up 100 easy ways kids can fight boredom and celebrate childhood. We live in a world where our kids don’t know how to be bored. Having minimal activity is so underwhelming they just give up altogether. I’ve noticed this all or nothing attitude from my own kids and some days it makes me crazy. If our kids aren’t stimulated on a superpower level they don’t feel stimulated at all. Sigh…

Now more than ever our kids are having to learn how to be “bored”. For lack of a better word. As much as I want to throw some chores and school work their way when my kids complain about being bored, I’m trying to respond in a way that gets me the results I really want.

One thing that doesn’t work for me is getting an attitude. Believe me, I know. This is the tactic I’ve used a thousand times, but for some reason, it doesn’t help. Go figure?

They’ve also never willingly taken me up on my offer to have them do chores. Yeah, yeah. They get the point, but they also don’t find anything productive to do.100 Easy Ways Kids Can Fight Boredom & Celebrate Childhood. "I'm bored!" Two infamous words that make every parent cringe. It's frustrating to hear our kids complain about having nothing to do. We immediately feel resentful and turn into our own parents hollering the phrases we swore we'd never say ourselves. How can you possibly be bored?! I'll give you something to do! Anybody else guilty of this? CLICK HERE to grab these AWESOME 100 Easy Ways Kids Can Fight Boredom!

3 Simple Strategies for Responding to Bored Kids

Humor

“I’m bored.”

“I’m Mom. Nice to meet you.”

They hate it, but they always laugh.

Fantasy

I love responding this way to my youngest. It works every time!

“Wouldn’t it be awesome if we had an activities planner? Like a life coach that keeps us from ever being bored?”

He eats it up.

Time

It’s hard to admit, but when my kids are complaining about being bored, they often crave time with me.

They aren’t going to admit this. Especially older kids! But? It never fails. If I take a few minutes to give them my attention, listen to what’s on their mind, or even offer to watch a short show, it makes a big difference.

It’s not always easy to deal with bored kids, but the next time your kiddos are looking for something to do see what happens if you respond in a new way. And if all else fails, here’s a mega list of chore-free ideas to help give them some direction.

100 Easy and Fun Activities For Bored Homeschooled Kids

Read a book. Look at 5 BEST Books to Create an Around the World Unit Study (and Hands-on Activities)
Go outside.
Make homemade sun catchers.
Draw a self-portrait.
Write a letter to a loved one. Even a short card, most grandparents delight to get.

Learn morse code.
Ride your bike.
Invent an app.
Make a stop motion video.
Go for a walk. Check out this fun Above and Below a Pond Unit Study. Something about exploring in water that most kids of any age can’t resist.

You’ll have to check out these fun and quick file folder games too. Great boredom busters!

Plant a tree.
Go on a scavenger hunt. Check out Hands-On Middle School Math: Everyday Math Scavenger Hunt (Printable) and Geoscavenge – A Rock and Mineral Hunt: Day 6 Hands-on Learning.
Try bird watching.
Do 10 jumping jacks.
Make a friendship bracelet.

Learn how to play chess.
Bake a cake.
Freeze something weird.
Make a homemade cat condo out of cardboard.
Play a game with your brother.

Take the dog for a walk.
Make an indoor fort with pillows and blankets.
Listen to music.
Have a dance party.
Learn to write in Japanese.

Build a Viking Ship.
Do 10 push-ups.
Make slime.
Jump rope.
Record a funny video.

Be sure to check out Ellen McHenry’s Basement Workshop for lots of hands-on activities and free ones too.

The Basement Workshop Store

Make homemade ice-cream.
Sell old games and figures on eBay.
Paint a picture.
Make a birdfeeder.
Write a story.

Take your fingerprints.
Make a collage of all your favorite pictures.
Rearrange your bedroom.
Make rock candy.
Do 15 squats.

Play a board game.
Watch a movie.
Make a list of things you like about yourself.
Learn to play an instrument.
Do an easy hands-on history activity.

Create a vision board.
Try learning sign language.
Learn to crochet.
Do 5 yoga poses.
Go for a run around the block.

Make edible rocks.
Cook dinner for your family.
Collect garbage around the neighborhood.
Learn to crochet.
Do 20 sit-ups.
Destination Switzerland CASE OF ADVENTURE
Make a timeline of your life.
Find a service project.
Call a grandparent.
Play “I Spy”.
Collect leaves for crafts.

Use a metal detector in your backyard.
Do a handstand.
Look at leaves under a microscope.
Learn a foreign language.
Have a lemonade or hot cocoa stand.

Make a time capsule and bury it in the backyard.
Pack a bag of old toys to donate.
Make a message in a bottle.
Build a tent with bed sheets.
Make a costume. Check out my post Bring History To Life With Historical Costumes: Fun, Fashion and Unforgettable.

Art classes help too.

Interview a grandparent.
Do 24 lunges (12 on each leg).
Offer to help a neighbor.
Cook a dish from a different country.
Design an outfit.

Make a list of places you want to visit.
Start a journal.
Try origami.
Bake cookies.
Make a flip book.

Learn about the human body.
Take a personality quiz.
Do a science experiment.
Plank for one minute.
Go outside and take some pictures of nature.

Learn how to tie knots.
Write a list of countries you want to visit.
Make a family tree.
Create a sculpture with found objects.
Do 25 jumping jacks.

Create a product.
Research your dream job.
Make oobleck.
Bake bread.
Create a “dream” Amazon wish list.

Make mixed media flower art.
Do a backbend.
Collect canned good to donate to a food pantry.
Memorize the state capitals.
Make a diorama of a scene from your favorite book.

Even though it can be frustrating, sometimes I think our kids just genuinely don’t know what to do with themselves. In our fast-paced, technology-filled society, they are looking for that constant flow of information. I don’t have all the answers, but a fresh list of ideas is always helpful!100 Easy Ways Kids Can Fight Boredom & Celebrate Childhood. "I'm bored!" Two infamous words that make every parent cringe. It's frustrating to hear our kids complain about having nothing to do. We immediately feel resentful and turn into our own parents hollering the phrases we swore we'd never say ourselves. How can you possibly be bored?! I'll give you something to do! Anybody else guilty of this? CLICK HERE to grab these AWESOME 100 Easy Ways Kids Can Fight Boredom!

You’ll also love these other ideas:

How do you deal with bored kids?

Hugs and love ya,

 

100 Ways to Silence the Homeschool Naysayers (Maybe!)

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This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

It’s hard to believe that we still have to deal with homeschool naysayers, but they’re out there, aren’t they?

The truth is, there will always be critics no matter what you do, and if you’re a homeschooling family. Lucky you! You’ve probably had to handle homeschool naysayers at one point or another.

100 Ways to Silence the Homeschool Naysayers

Although the choice to homeschool has become more mainstream in recent years, you can bet there will always be someone who doesn’t get it. Homeschool naysayers come in all shapes and sizes. They could be your friends, family, or just a good ‘ole fashioned random stranger. Either way, it’s important to be prepared for those moments when the naysayers are out.

Respond with kindness.

Give others the benefit of doubt. Often times, people are just curious about the homeschooling and have a poor way of showing it.

Embrace being different.

More and more parents are turning to homeschool, but it’s still not the norm. Let go of insecurities and be confident in your family’s choice.

Share your success stories.

It’s always a shock to the homeschool naysayers when they learn we’ve been at it for over a decade and have one son in college. Be proud of your successes. Homeschooling is possible!

Turn the table.

Why don’t people ask public school parents the same weird questions they ask homeschooling parents? Try asking homeschool naysayers you encounter some of those silly questions. Do they worry about socialization?

In a perfect world, parents will be able to do what they feel is best for their kids without facing any judgment. Until then? Here’s a mega list for the next time you need to silence the homeschool naysayers.

(Let’s just say you’ll never be caught off guard by critics again!)

Homeschool Naysayers

1. I don’t want my kids falling through the cracks of the public school system.
2. My kids have different learning styles and we need the flexibility of homeschooling.
3. I’m thankful for the freedom to study any subject we want.
4. My kids are learning how to study and research.
5. I’m not judging you for sending your kids to public school, so please don’t judge me for my choice to keep my kids home.

6. Textbooks limit learning to the same old facts.
7. Standardized tests are not a true measure of ability.
8. I want my children to be treated like students and not just a test score.
9. I don’t have faith in a system where the teachers aren’t valued.
10. There’s no better place for a child to learn than home.

11. Classrooms are overcrowded.
12. We never have to worry about the car line or bus stop.
13. Homeschooling is what’s best for our family.
14. Now that my kids are older we take our work with us to the coffee shop.
15. Standardized testing causes so much stress and anxiety in our young kids.

16. We love being able to take family vacations without being tied to a school calendar.
17. I don’t want my kids worried about school shootings.
18. My kids are able to mature at their own pace.
19. Homeschooling fosters creativity.
20. I don’t have to worry about what my kids are learning.

Thank goodness I was never sent to school: it would have rubbed off some of the originality. ~ Beatrix Potter

21. Homeschooling makes it easy to follow passions and turn them into areas of study.
22. We don’t have to deal with bullies.
23. Or drugs!
24. My kids don’t have to worry about the stress of peer pressure or trying to “fit in”.
25. I’m able to offer one-on-one instruction.

26. We are able to cover the same material in a fraction of the time it takes to cover in the classroom.
27. My kids are far apart in age and would never see each other if it weren’t for homeschooling.
28. We get to make weekend breakfast every day.
29. We’re never running late in the morning.
30. My kids are growing up together instead of living on different schedules.

31. I’ll never get this time back and I’m thankful.
32. We get to expose our children to the world on our own terms.
33. Homeschooling has helped our family to work together as a team.
34. I want my kids to learn more about life than what public school will teach them.
35. Homeschoolers are being accepted by colleges and universities nationwide.

36. We get to do projects and experiments as a family.
37. I love that we can impart values and beliefs into our studies.
38. There is a growing demographic of homeschooling families.
39. Homeschool families reduce the burden on taxpayers by an estimated $27 billion annually.
40. It’s nice to be able to focus on life skills students aren’t learning in the classroom.

41. State standardized testing benefits the schools not the student.
42. Homeschooling makes it possible to build long-term friendships as opposed to controlled “socialization”.
43. My older children are learning how to teach through learning with younger siblings.
44. We’re not limited to textbooks.
45. Thankfully, “Common Core” is not a common phrase in our home.

There is no school equal to a decent home and no teacher equal to a virtuous parent. ~ Gandhi

46. We get to make more memories as a family.
47. My kids are able to dig deeper or go in a different direction if that’s where learning leads.
48. My teenager was able to find a great part-time job due to his schedule flexibility.
49. I want to keep my kids from the stress I dealt with at public school when I was growing up.
50. Homeschooling provides a platform for my kids to be problem solvers.

51. Homeschooling has provided a flexible schedule for my high schooler to complete volunteer hours needed for scholarship applications.
52. Busy learners can stand, jump, and move around as needed.
53. My kids aren’t immediately labeled when they’re struggling.
54. Homeschooling has prepared my college-aged kids for managing their own time and schedule.
55. We aren’t bound to the public school schedule, which is primarily built upon county transportation needs, not the needs of students.

56. We are able to offer a calm, peaceful learning environment.
57. People have been successfully educating their kids at home for decades.
58. Customizing our education has been so awesome.
59. We love learning through field trips.
60. There is more time for hands-on learning.

61. My kids get more time with grandparents and extended family.
62. We have the option to travel any time of year.
63. Our family cherishes the extra meal times we have together.
64. We’ve learned so much about teamwork through homeschooling.
65. If we need a day off, we take one!

6. We get to read whatever we want.
67. My kids aren’t witnessing any physical abuse or bullying at home.
68. We’ve been able to educate our kids about sex, relationships, and marriage in a safe and loving environment.
69. We don’t have to fight weekend crowds.
70. I get to teach my kids through everyday tasks like shopping, cooking, and cleaning.

I suppose it is because nearly all children go to school nowadays and have things arranged for them that they seem so forlornly unable to produce their own ideas. ~ Agatha Christie

71. I will never regret the extra time I got with my kids.
72. Coasting through the system with C’s and minimal understanding or retention is not OK with me.
73. We don’t have to teach to the test.
74. My kids aren’t forced to be anywhere they don’t feel safe.
75. We have built a strong family foundation homeschooling through hard times.

Education is what remains after one has forgotten what one has learned in school ~ Albert Einstein

76. We get to play music really loud during class.
77. We can literally take our school anywhere!
78. My kids have learned how to interact with all age groups.
79. There’s never any busy work or wasted time.
80. We never have to stress with late-night homework.

81. Our pets love having their humans home during the day.
82. We are able to place a greater emphasis on music and art.
83. I’m doing my best to give my kids what they need.
84. My senior is able to spend time focusing on college and scholarship applications.
85. I’m able to customize our schedule to fit the needs of my kids.

86. We’re not dependent on state-funded resources.
87. My kids are able to move through each subject at their own pace.
88. We’re able to do science experiments every day.
89. My teenagers work more productively with a later sleep schedule than public school allows.
90. There’s nothing better than an empty movie theatre on a weekday afternoon.

91. It’s been a huge learning experience for our family.
92. My younger children have learned so much from learning alongside their older siblings.
93. I get to sit and have coffee with my kids instead of rushing out the door.
94. We can really dive into a subject or area of study through food, history, movies, etc.
95. I love that we can focus on character and values in our studies.

96. Homeschooling has taught my kids to be independent thinkers.
97. My kids grow up learning that it’s OK to be different and go “outside the box”.
98. We can take a creative approach to learn.
99. Our family has more time together.
100. Homeschooling is awesome!

How do silence the homeschool naysayers? What would you add to the list?

You’ll love these other tips and grab some of my other 100 round ups:

This blog hop is organized by iHomeschool Network, a collaboration of outstanding homeschool bloggers who connect with each other and with family-friendly companies in mutual beneficial projects.

Click the image below to visit all the other blog articles from the homeschool moms of the iHomeschool Network.
Hugs and love ya,