Homeschooling is a marathon, not a sprint. It is a lifestyle choice, not a school choice. It requires time, energy, patience, and much love and forgiveness. With this in mind, a family’s decision to home school should be a thoughtful one, not something whimsical or reactionary.

What exactly are your reasons for home schooling? Take a minute to write them or down right now before you finish reading this post.

Now consider the following reasons that other people choose homeschooling.

Educational: Your child is being given “busy work” at school because he/she finishes assignments quickly and must wait for classmates to finish their work. Your child is struggling in school and needs extra help. You are appalled by the amount of homework your child brings home after spending all day at school. You have been successful in teaching your child many life skills, and you view academics as an extension of that. You love reading to your child and teaching your child new things. You disagree with the philosophy of public schooling. Much time in public school is spent on classroom management instead of academics. Your child’s teacher is swamped with the demands of the classroom and is unable to spend time correcting your child’s errors. You disagree with the school’s policies. You have genuine concerns about the school or teacher which the administration is either unable or unwilling to address.

Academic: You want your child to be taught subjects that your school doesn’t offer. Your school teaches ideas that directly contradict what you have taught or desire to be taught to your children. Children learn best within a small group, not a packed classroom. You want the focus of your young child’s education to be the three R’s. Your child’s school consistently yields low test scores in math, reading, and writing. Your school encourages children to rediscover concepts rather than using direct instruction to impart these concepts to students in an efficient manner. You want to give your older child more freedom to pursue an individualized education.

Social: Your child’s peer group at school disturbs you. Your child is unhappy at school due to bullying, lack of friends, or not fitting in. Your child is being swayed negatively by peer pressure.

Familial: The school’s schedule negatively impacts your family. The school calendar prevents you from taking your child on trips. You don’t like sending your children away for eight hours each day. Your work schedule prevents you from spending much time with your children after school. Your family’s circumstances require frequent moves.

Physical: Your child is handicapped and could use some personal space and privacy during the school day. You are ill or handicapped and have come to realize that time with your child is a precious commodity. You child has medical issues such as diabetes, allergies, seizures, etc. which require frequent doctor visits, daily management, and personal adjustment.

Religious: You believe that God has placed upon parents the responsibility of educating their children. The school curriculum and culture are secular, denying the existence of God and stifling the expression of your child’s faith.

Emotional: Your child needs your love and discipline every day, not just in the evenings and on weekends. You child has experienced a loss or traumatic event that requires your attention.

Reading through this list may have caused you to rethink and refine your reasons for homeschooling. I hope so, because if you have a solid base on which to build your homeschool, the storms of life will be less likely to distract you from your purpose or shift your priorities. If you haven’t already edited the list you wrote at the beginning of this post, you should do that now. Keep it. Refer to it when in doubt of your choice or to answer questioning family members and friends. Use it as a motivator in shaky time.