Breathing Room

I am questioned often about why I homeschool my kids.  I usually go into a litany of reasons, emphasizing my desire to broaden their curriculum beyond the basics, feeling as if I can teach to the child and not to the test, giving them time to pursue their own unique interests during the day, etc.  What I really wish I could show the inquirer is a photo from one of our weekday hikes and say, “This is why.”

“Mama, do we get to hike today?”  Music to my ears.  The rigors of math, the headaches of the quirky English language, and the struggles with every subject in between blow away like the leaves on the trees in autumn as soon as we hit the trail. While most kids are arriving home to unload backpacks full of homework, we are filling ours with maps and nature guides. The world becomes our classroom and I can think of no better education to give my babes.

While during these formative years, if they grow their taproot in connection with the earth, I will feel as if I have done my job well by delegating a large part of the educational task to Mother Nature. So far, so good.