Over the past four years, I’ve read almost all the homeschooling books written by Dr. Ruth Beechick and Dr. Raymond and Dorothy Moore. Though I’ve purchased a few, I obtained most of these resources from our public library using the online reservation system. These books have been a huge encouragement to me as we continue our homeschool journey, providing reassurance and helpful ideas for writing, spelling, and other academic areas. The books have also validated our natural approach to homeschooling, as what we are doing is backed by extensive research in early childhood education and by common sense.
Home-Spun Schools by the Moores was an eye-opener to the struggles faced by the pioneers of the homeschool movement. Many homeschool parents faced criminal prosecution, the threat of having their children taken away, and criticism all around. As part of the homeschool boomer generation, we reap the benefits of the earlier generation of brave homeschool parents seeking the best in education for their children.
The benefits of homeschooling are many, and I’d like to share a few here.
- Our 11- and 8-year-old boys are the closest of brothers. They enjoy conversing on various topics, playing sports together, and simply being in one another’s company.
Lisa (aka Morning Rose) has been teaching her two elementary-aged sons for four years and incorporating study, work, service, and play into their homeschooling days. She enjoys reading, writing, and photography and blogs publicly at Pockets of Time and privately at Scooter and B.
I so agree. As a public school teacher who came home with her daughter, I have been able to see her blossom and grow from an unsteady second grader to a confident young woman at 12. We see her focusing on living, not what little girl is angry at her at school, confident and full of joy, yet sensitive and caring to others. We so enjoy our days and plan her work to best match her gifts and to work on her weaknesses as well as her strengths, not the classes, but tailored to her…yet still working within our family’s needs for the day as well.
I am happy for you, and thankful for us all, to have the choice!
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Thanks for the beautiful reminder of why we chose this path, and the many joyful benefits! It sounds like you have a beautiful family
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Thank you so much for sharing this! It definitely reaffirms why I started homeschooling.
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I heard Dr. Raymond Moore on a radio show back in 1983. I was newly married and living in Miami, FL. I even called into the radio show during the question and answer time. I told him I had a high school education and feared I wouldn’t be able to school my children. I’ll never forget what he said.
“you are the best teacher for your children.”
That weekend he did a home school conference in town. My husband and I attended.
We knew that if and when we had children, home schooling would be the avenue we chose. Dr. Moore’s words hit a place with us. Four years later we had our first child. Seventeen years later I am still home schooling, the three youngest of my five.
It’s a choice I have never regretted, in fact it is one of the best decisions we have ever made.
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