So you’ve probably seen and read a lot of posts on many sites about the benefits of homeschooling from a mother’s perspective. But how many posts have you read about the benefits of homeschooling from someone who’s the one being homeschooled?
There’s a lot you might know about us homeschooled teens, from the best ways to teach us with our limited attention spans, to fun experiments to do with the family, but here are my top five ways that being homeschooled has benefited me.
I’ve been able to explore my hobbies/interests
Through being homeschooled, I’ve had time to do things that kids in public school can’t fit in their schedules. I have discovered talents that I may not have had time to find if I were in school—in fact, some of my talents are included in my school! Such as writing. I have a language arts book that encourages creative writing, a thing I love. Even though I didn’t really start to love writing until I was thirteen, I was given the chance to explore it because my day isn’t spent at a desk for eight or nine hours.
Homeschooling has given me more time to explore my artistic side, and I grew a knack for drawing/painting/etc. And these are things that just might get me a career one day.
I’m able to learn in the way best for me
Through homeschooling, I’ve been able to find the way that I learn best, instead of struggling with teaching methods that might not work for me. Sure, it might have taken a while to find the way I learn best—in fact, I’m still learning that for some things—but once I found it, I excelled.
For the longest time, I’ve struggled with math. It’s just not my area of expertise, and numbers make me confused. I hated math with every fiber of my being because I just could not get it. This was while I had only a textbook to look at for my math. The numbers, the different equations, the dreaded Pythagorean theorem—it never could get into my brain. I would have literal meltdowns when I was younger because I believed I was stupid for not being able to learn math as well as others my age.
It was in 2012 (I think) that we got some new textbooks, but along with those were DVDs. That was when I learned that for math, I’m an auditory learner. I went from struggling every day with my math to struggling maybe once a month. I’m still not a math person, and I still struggle, but I’ve found the way that I learn best for this subject. I’m not in the same math level as many my age, but at least I’m not moving forward with the next level when I don’t understand something, as many in public school must.
I’m being taught things that aren’t taught in school
Real world things that I’ll need to know when living alone, such as cooking, laundry, washing dishes, helping with younger siblings, and learning how to build true relationships. These are things that will be essential later in life when I’m on my own, or with roommates when I’m in college.
They may not seem that important to many people, but you’d be surprised at how many people have to learn these skills after they’ve already left the house.
I’m exploring possible career choices
While many students in school go about their days writing the same essays as everyone else, combining the same chemicals in science, and hearing the same lecture from a teacher—things they may not need later for their career or home life—I’m learning what I’m interested in. (I learn the other basics like math, history, etc., but you get the picture.)
So far, just from being homeschooled, I’ve found three possible careers that I would be more than happy doing: being an author, a professional artist, or being a blogger. The last one, I’ve actually just gotten a head start on. Last month, I bought a domain name and started a website. On my site, there are tips and encouragement for writers, information on my characters and books for my readers, and a place to display art. You can visit my site at haileywoerner.com, if you like. 🙂
At only fifteen years old I’ve found something that I’d love to make a living from some day, and I’ve taken that dream and made it a reality. Many kids in school just don’t have that opportunity, as much as they might want to.
I get to know my family
Now, I’m not saying things are perfect, but I get to experience true relationships. I get to see what love looks like, instead of being told what love is from teens who have no idea about what the word even means.
I get to see my younger siblings grow up—I get to help them learn. How many older siblings have the time to do that? Not many.
I’m not saying people who go to public schools can’t or don’t do this, they just have less opportunities to. It’s harder to do so because of the strict schedules they must stick to.
I’m still learning how to be a good sister, but I’m sure I would be whole lot worse at being one if I were in school.
I get to see what a good man looks like from being around my dad and older brother, and keep my standards for a future relationship set on what I see in them. If a guy doesn’t show the same good qualities I’ve been shown by my brother and dad, then I can keep on waiting for the man who does have those qualities. Many girls my age don’t spend enough time around good guys to know what a good guy actually is, and end up thinking that what makes a good man is what their friends tell them.
So all in all, there are a whole lot of good benefits to being homeschooled, but these are five from a teen’s perspective. And a thank you to all moms and dads who spend the time to stay home and teach us. Thanks Mom!
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