Reasons I Homeschool: Having a Childhood

For a young child—say, under the age of 10—sitting still inside an artificially lit building full of stale, climate-controlled air is not the natural condition, nor the ideal or healthy condition. Young children need a childhood. What does that mean to me, a homeschooler? Fresh air, tree climbing, mud-pie making, dam building, stick-boat racing, playing with friends, listening to a classic book under a tree, picking flowers, baking cookies with mama, putting on puppet shows, sleeping when their bodies are tired and eating when they are hungry. I could go on, as the wildness and sweetness and wonder of childhood can contain an uncountable number of such moments, but suffice it to say that conventional schooling does not permit children to have a childhood. Of course, academics and creativity and logic and philosophy and virtue matter deeply to me, which is precisely why children must be allowed a childhood—it is the very ground from which these mature fruits gain the energy to exist.

Starting Anew

In more than one sense. Not only do I hope to return to blogging more regularly, but I hope to write more than I ever have about the topics that have engaged me since I became a mother almost 7 years ago. I'm also literally starting over as a mother, as I'm expecting my 3rd child any day now. I haven't had a baby in almost 4 years, so I've got a lot to relearn!

Still, I have been feeling a real desire to reach out and share what I've learned, what I'm doing, what I'm thinking about and to see how to send these experiences and thoughts into a larger domain, where I can both give and receive support, especially in my homeschool/unschool journey. Nothing has been more transformative in my life than my decision to become a mother who intends to opt out of the mainstream educational path. I'm passionate about this path, while at the same time muddling to figure out exactly where the path is leading us as a family.

I will likely ramble at first as I search to find my voice and the topics that most engage/interest me. If you're here, thank you. If you want to know what I need most, it's just kindness and support as I return to writing after a very long hiatus. I'd also love to hear your experiences and thoughts if you feel so inclined. This is a bit scary to begin again, so I appreciate your patience as I loosen the rust and attempt to return to this space on a regular basis.

Thanks, and lots of love.
Tiffany