The Best Thing About Homeschool: According to an 8 year old boy

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 It was a slow morning. Nothing crazy, nothing lazy, just comfortable and regular day. We had done our morning work as a family, prayed as a family, recited a scripture as we ate breakfast and were now about doing our "own thing." The morning is my time to be full available for my children in their learning. Some days that is more hands on, and some days they want Mom's hands totally off. This was a "hands off" morning. So I went about some busy work near by and listened to my little learners in our front room.

"That's the best thing about homeschool." My son was saying matter-of-fact-ly to his younger sister. "You get to have as much homework as you want."

That's it. The best thing about homeschool. According to a budding 8 year old learner. You get to have as much homework as you want!

It struck me how different this was from when I was growing up. And I was glad about it. I am still glad about it. It makes my soul so very happy to be finding how to inspire a desire for learning in my children, rather than thrusting it upon them. We have rules, we have structure, we have required and rigorous work, we have a higher achy, and order in our home. We also have love, respect, room to grow and discuss and disagree and wonder. And when I am remembering God in the picture there is also patience, laughter and joy.

I didn't know this was possible.

I didn't know learning came from a desire within.

I didn't know we could NOT demand learning.

Until I looked at my almost-straight-A report card, and excellent scholastic performance, and realized I didn't know anything. I learned to perform. Based in a desire to please, not disappoint (who exactly?), be praised, and "do what was right."

I still want to perform, please, not disappoint, be praised, and do what is right. But now I know who to do it for. Not a system. But the source. The source of all that is good and life and light in the world. The creator of it. It's more work, and it can actually achieve lasting results... So, isn't that worth it?

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