Benefits of homeschooling

Question:
Here are a few of the benefits and advantages I see to homeschooling.

* Close relationship with my children * Opportunity to teach to their individual learning style and bent * Privilege of instilling in them godly character and teaching them about the God who created them, loves them and has a plan for their life * I've personally grown in patience, diligence, organization, kindness, and maturity. * I've learned to relax and enjoy life more * I learned to really like being with my kids (sadly, that wasn't always the case) * You outgrow selfishness in a hurry when you homeschool * The children have a better chance of learning to *love* learning * My children don't have to deal with peer pressure and comparing themselves to one another * My children are confident and secure in who they are * My children are learning to run a house and all the practical life skills that go along with homemaking * My children enjoy one another's company * We have more opportunities to help others * We can work at each child's pace * I get to be there for the "aha" moments when they grasp a new concept * My children are out in the "real" world rather than stuck in an artificial learning environment all day * Learning takes place anytime, anywhere (not just during seat work) * The children enjoy exploring the world around them because they have time to do so * The children have time to play, use their imaginations, read, create, explore

Mark keeps pointing out that there are disadvantages that we are ignoring. The only disadvantage I can see is ... * There is a price - financially and personally with my time, energy, attention, etc.

But as teachermama pointed out disadvantages can often be advantages in reality. If I have to spend my money on anything, the thing I'd most like to invest it in is my children ... nurturing them, developing their gifts and talents, educating them, blessing them. It is expensive financially to homeschool. And it does cost me a lot of time and energy. But sacrificing my time, energy, financial resources, etc. for my family's sake is a blessing and a great honor. In other words, the reward for paying the price to homeschool comes with blessings beyond measure!

Anyone else have benefits of homeschooling they'd like to share?

Answer:
I can't think of any additional to add, but I'll give a hearty AMEN! to the ones you've listed. I think the number one thing benefit of homeschooling for us was the subsequent closeness our family has developed. However, the main reason we decided to homeschool was to nuture the joy of learning that every child is born with, but so many lose after years of attending traditional schooling. I'm happy to report that that effort has been entirely successful.

I wasn't sure about homeschooling at first, but it's worked out so well for us and been such a blessing that I now think that deciding to homeschool was the second best decision I ever made in my life. (First best decision was marrying the most perfect person I ever met.)