A little back story first: we never planned on homeschooling.  And we never imagined how much homeschooling would change our lives.  We started out homeschooling for practical reasons – we were moving states, and therefore schools (again), and since our rental in the new state was short-term, we knew we would be faced with yet another move … and another school in the near future. So, we made the leap (for one year only, according to my husband!).

We quickly realized that homeschooling offered our family freedom, flexibility, and a much, much slower pace of life, which we were all craving. But as we have delved deeper and deeper into homeschooling, the benefits have continued to add up. I am always counting my blessings, and as I was taking stock of those blessings recently, I realized that I had missed a few extra good ones.

The Quality of Our Friendships

We have the best friends, whether we are counting friends for our children or adult/family friends. We have more time to nurture those friendships as homeschoolers. The families we have met also value a slower life that involves time outside and lots of good books. And the thing I love about my “mom friends” is how positive and supportive they are!

The Sheer Number of Different Topics We Have Studied

I leave a lot of room for student led interests in our schedule, so almost anything is on the table when it comes to learning.  Some of my favorite topics resulted in amazing projects: my son recreated the Battle of Stalingrad with LEGOs, my daughter tracked Black Beauty’s emotions throughout his life with sticky notes, and both kids built an elaborate survival fort in our backyard (because we wouldn’t be homeschoolers if they didn’t, right?).  But it was also fun learning about dolphins for three days, delving into the world of tardigrades, and learning a little bit of every language Muzzy could teach us!

Living a Thrifty Life

From learning the ins and outs of grocery shopping (my kids know all about unit pricing) to spotting coveted classics at library book sales to camping in a tent for our family vacations … we are used to living a thrifty life. We have also increased our appreciation for luxuries such as brand-new shoes and trips to the ice cream parlor.  Thrifting and homeschooling go hand-in-hand!

Homeschooling is a gift and I am grateful for all the changes it has brought to our lives. If you are considering homeschooling, be prepared to find your own happy surprises along the way. For those already homeschooling, did this article remind you of any hidden blessings in your own life? Please, share!