I almost titled this post, “Homeschool Versus Public School,” because I want to share my decision to stop homeschooling and return the kids to public school. But it just didn’t feel right. Although we’ve shifted from public school to homeschool and back to public school again, I don’t want to give anyone the impression that either choice is universally right or wrong.
Let me repeat that…
I don’t want to give anyone the impression that either choice – homeschool or public school – is universally right or wrong.
I only want to share why we decided that public school is right for us this year.
A Look at Our Educational Choices Thus Far…
I Loved Homeschooling, But…
I loved homeschooling my kids. But I hated the stressed-out mom I became trying to do it.
I loved seeing the spark of learning in my kids’ eyes. But my kids drove me nuts by the end of the day.
I loved tailoring their education to their interests and special needs. But I was terrible at planning ahead enough to do it.
I loved planning and organizing their homeschool days. But I didn’t know when to quit looking and planning and just make decisions and DO it.
I loved going on field trips to provide hands-on learning for my kids. But I spent too much time and money trying to do it too often.
I loved joining homeschool groups and activities to provide social interaction for the kids. But we never found quite the right fit for all of my unique kids.
I loved that my toddler got to spend so much time with his older sibling. But I hated neglecting him most of the day to focus on their homeschooling.
I loved being able to adjust the environment and educational support for my special needs learner. But I struggled to find what really worked for him and saw him regressing.
I loved that my Preschooler was excelling at Kindergarten content. But I hated hearing her beg to go back to public school with her friends.
Now We’re Loving Public School, Because…
My kids’ teachers are AMAZING. And they’re only an email away so I can keep involved.
My kids are learning more social skills than I was able to provide while homeschooling. They have so many friends!
We have a structured schedule to go by, which my kids seem to need.
I am making more mama friends, too, through school functions and the kids’ friends.
I am able to volunteer in their classrooms, which they LOVE and fulfills me as a former teacher teacher-at-heart.
I am able to get support and professional opinions from the school district on my child’s special needs.
I feel like my time with them at home is more quality mama time instead of stressful “teacher/school time.”
I am able to spend more quality time with my toddler while his siblings are at school.
I am better able to balance my business, home management, and parenting.
THEY are happier.
I am happier.
Speaking of Education…
I am so grateful to have the choices that we have for education. I know that many love and succeed at homeschooling. But after our homeschooling endeavor, we now know that public schooling is for us. At least for right now. And regardless of whether I agree with all of the educational bureaucracy or politics, I am so so thankful to have a public education system as a choice for my kids. I truly believe in the value of education; I know that my kids are lucky to have access to an education that will better their future and our world.
So when I was invited to share about the IKEA Soft Toys for Education Campaign, I was thrilled! For every soft toy and children’s book sold between November 9, 2014 and January 3, 2015, the IKEA Foundation will donate $1.00 to children’s education through UNICEF and Save the Children. The donations will help UNICEF and Save the Children train teachers in child-friendly teaching methods, improve child protection systems, supply educational materials in the schools, help rebuild schools, provide better water and toilet facilities, and increase school attendance rates.
Here is a specific example of how this campaign helps kids:
“In Ethiopia, the funding from the Soft Toys for Education campaign has helped increase the enrollment rate of children into grade 1 of primary education, which has now reached 92%. The gross enrollment rate for pre-primary schools achieved a significant increase of 15.9 percentage points. Over one year, it went from one in 20 children to one in 5 children getting enrolled in pre-primary school.”
Now that’s a campaign I can get behind! How can you help? The Soft Toys for Education Campaign is a global initiative and involves the entire range of IKEA soft toys and children’s books. There are five new heroes soft toys this year, and there will even be a contest for children to create their own soft toy, too. So get to an Ikea and buy some soft toys and children’s books, Mamas!
I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.
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Teresa Robert says
WOW! what a great post regarding educational choices homeschool to public school
Thanks and Great Sharing
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Krissy @ B-Inspired Mama says
You’re welcome. Thanks for stopping by!
Kay says
Thank you for this article. I am considering enrolling my oldest in public school. I am doing so for the same reasons you’ve mentioned as I am a mom of three and feel I can train her in the fear and admonition of the Lord while sending her to public school. I am confident that I can and your article encourages me.
Krissy @ B-Inspired Mama says
I’m so glad to be of encouragement, Kay! Good luck with your choice.
Theresa (Capri + 3) says
That was a really interesting post. I appreciate hearing about your experience with homeschooling and public school and the reasons behind your choice. Ours are currently doing home preschool (as they are not ‘school age’ yet.)
Krissy @ B-Inspired Mama says
Thanks, Theresa. It was a super hard decision. And I think we all too often hear the far ends of the spectrum (pro-homeschool and pro-public school) but not the middle ground.
Sarah Mueller @ Earlybirdmom says
After homeschooling for 9 years (9 years!!), we did the same thing this year. My 3 oldest are in public school and it’s been overwhelmingly positive. I am no longer the “bad guy” who makes my kids do math. Instead, they have teachers who manage to actually make it enjoyable. They have classmates who challenge them. The projects they do in school are things we never made time for at home. We have to keep to schedules and meet deadlines. Those things are sooo easy to ditch when you’re homeschooling.
My kids have excellent teachers. They give so much energy to my kids. My kids actually like having someone other than me to be their teacher. It has freed me up to be “just” mom. My preschooler has time from me that he never had before. I have time to pursue a part-time career with my blog.
“Quitting” homeschooling is something that I have almost never heard discussed among homeschoolers before, but I think it’s something we should be talking about. Thank you for writing such an honest, open post. I hope your post encourages other homeschool moms who may be burnt out or wanting or needing to try public school. I was terrified to make this choice. Once I took the leap, I couldn’t be more pleased with the results.
Krissy @ B-Inspired Mama says
Thanks for sharing, Sarah! I agree that it’s not something that is talked about. There is so much pride and support in the homeschooling community; there are always cheerleaders to cheer you on and encourage you to not give up. But I think you’re right that you don’t often hear “It’s okay to quit!” It made it such a hard decision, because I love the homeschooling community so much! But I’m so glad to hear that you and your kids are having a positive experience, too!!
April says
Thank you for this article. My 6th grader and kindergartener are headed back to PS in 2 weeks and I am so torn! In June our 4th child was born with a life threatening illness. She has been admitted to the hospital 9 times in 9 months. Our preschooler has gotten lost in the shuffle, the other kids schooling has suffered and I just don’t know what else to do. With the baby’s dr and therapy appointment there just isn’t enough time. I hope 6 months from now I am as confident as you seem to be that we made the right choice for our family during this season because right now I feel like I failed them as a teacher and a mama.
Krissy @ B-Inspired Mama says
I know how you feel, Mama!! That’s why it took me so long to write this post. I wasn’t so confident when I first made the decision. And none of us can know what is to come. We can only make the decision that seems best for ourselves and our kids at the moment and hope and pray for the best. You’re doing the right thing – caring for and loving your kids. That’s what matters! {HUGS}
Mary says
Hi Krissy — thank you for your honesty in this article. I’ve heard many people say they aren’t willing to die on the homeschooling altar. Many times I have felt like that myself. We still homeschool, but I reserve the right to change my mind at any time if it isn’t healthy or productive for our family. I appreciate your post.
Krissy @ B-Inspired Mama says
Thanks for the encouragement, Mary! It was such a hard decision.
Melissa says
Your article struck me to tears!! We sent our kids to public school for the first time and this article describes me to a T. I was stressed out and so we’re the kids. They LOVE public school!! I felt and still do feel like I failed them. Thank you for reminding me that I’m not the only one with the same feelings.
Krissy @ B-Inspired Mama says
Awwwww – now you’re going to make ME cry! I didn’t even touch on the fact that I MOURNED quitting homeschooling for weeks after making the decision. I also felt like I failed them and myself after not being able to homeschool how I had imagined. But after months of them excelling in school and me being MUCH happier and less stressed, I know it was the right decision. Thanks so much for sharing this with me, Melissa!