We may talk a lot about how to homeschool, homeschool mistakes and stumbles, things that we’re learning as we homeschool. I know I have plenty of struggles, worries, and bad days. They’re all valid conversations. But today, I just want to talk about how homeschooling makes me happy.

(Chesapeake Bay, 2013)

Homeschooling makes me happy because we can teach our kids. I mean, we are teaching our kids- those beautiful people whom we love so dearly. We can know them and celebrate them and foster what they love. We can find their strengths and capitalize on them. We can find their weaknesses and support them. We can listen to them- really listen. We can cultivate their character and help them grow as individuals, instead of having them get lost in the classroom.

Homeschooling makes me happy because we can teach to our children, not to a test or a standard. We don’t have to worry about falling behind, because there is no one to be behind. We don’t have to hold back from running ahead because the path is wide open in front of us. We can go down rabbit holes, dig deep, explore, slow down, and drink of the richness in front of us in any possible subject area.

(Hands-on learning in action.)

Homeschooling makes me happy because we can find “education” happening everywhere. From the morning math lesson done with some level of resistance, to the afternoon walks filled with heart-stopping adventure, the kids are learning. When we go to the store, they are learning. When we talk about the news, they are learning. When my husband and I budget at the kitchen table or talk about business ideas, they are learning. We can find value in what we are already doing every day, and check off our lists from behind, after we’ve already accomplished so much.

Homeschooling makes me happy because we can pick up and go someplace when it works for us. Want to go on big field trip? There’s no reason why we can’t do it in 3 days instead of 3 weeks. Want to go outside? Sure. You don’t need to wait for recess. Want to do school in the car, the coffee shop, or the library? We can do that. Our classroom is movable. It doesn’t always need to have four walls.

(Stone Mountain Park, Georgia, 2013)

Homeschooling makes me happy because I get to spend life with my kids. I don’t see them for 5, 4, even 3 or 2 years of their life before I ship them off in the name of education and socialization. I get to see them most every day, get to watch their “ah-ha” moments, get to watch them develop and change.

Homeschooling makes me happy because we get to talk about anything and everything. World War I, coronavirus, Babarian invaders, the fall of Rome. Being beautiful on the inside, being a strong woman, boys, periods, and make-up. Gardening, fishing, veganism, ethics. Math, meal planning, building projects, and sewing. It’s all part of “school,” and it’s all part of life. The possibilities for conversations and learning are endless.

(Photo circa 2014)

Homeschooling makes me happy because we have a great group of friends. (Yes, they do have social opportunities.) I found my homeschool people: a co-op who is committed to stay open to homeschoolers of all ideals, friends who we met at a summer day camp, and dear family members who live nearby. I love these people. We get to see them regularly, and I am thrilled to see my kids making quality friendships and strong bonds.

Homeschooling makes me happy because it is absolutely rich. It is full of possibilities, wealthy with life lessons, and beautiful to watch.

(This gem of a photo is from Mt. Rushmore, on a cross country road trip taken in the summer of 2012.)

Is homeschooling hard some days? Definitely. Is it always ideal? Certainly not. (Remember that we are far from perfect.) Yet, even on the most difficult days, we are home. The place where we can rest and relax together. The place where it’s safe to cry in your room. The place where after an argument we can hug and talk about it and make up.

Lots of days are hard, but today, I want to focus on the good and beautiful and wonderful things about homeschooling. Won’t you join me?

Share with your friends, and share how homeschooling makes you happy in the comments below.