When people find out I homeschool, I usually get two questions.  First, why do you homeschool?  Second, what curriculum do you use.  Today, I’ll try to tackle the first question.

My first thought on the question of why do I homeschool is, why shouldn’t I?  People always seem to be most concerned about the socialization aspect of home-schooling.  Let me share a little story.  When I was young, dumb and naive and fresh out of college, I began my teaching career with third graders. I had this brainstorm to create a message board where the students could post letters to each other.  You know, giving them real world incentives to write.  I also posted notes to the students and we would correspond back and forth.  It was lovely.  But one day, a little turkey in my class ruined my idyllic little message board by posting notes to other students that included foul language such as f**k and a**hole (you can fill in the blanks).  I was crushed and wondered how he got so jaded at age eight?!  And that was just in my first month of teaching.  So I don’t worry too much about the socialization aspect.

Now back to why I homeschool.  This will sound like a tangent but just stay with me.  Yes, that little nerd of a girl is a picture of me just before my 6th grade talent show. Am I brave or what for showing that ridiculous picture? For as long as I can remember, I have wanted to dance on Broadway. Sadly, God said no to this fantasy. (However, just for the record, as a senior I received third place in our high school talent show.  So yes America, I do have talent. Did I hear you laughing?!)

As a back-up plan to the whole Broadway delusion, I dreamed of becoming an Olympic gymnast or ice skater.  But God said no to these as well.  Instead He said, “You will be a teacher.”  It’s funny how God knows these things.  Teaching gives me an enormous adrenaline rush!  Yes, it’s horribly cliché but “I love teaching!”  While I’ve daydreamed about other talents, teaching is the one God has bestowed upon me.

I’m not sure how or when the homeschooling seed was planted but I’ve known forever that I would homeschool my children.  Education is my passion.  Teaching nurtures my soul and  I want my children’s education to nurture their souls.  So I figure if I can teach other children and nurture their souls, I should be able to teach my own children?  (Easier said than done some days.)  But I wonder, who will enjoy teaching my children more than me?  And since learning should be joyful, it all feels like a good fit.

If you are a parent, you need books!  If you are a teacher, you need books!  If you are a homeschooler, you need books!  So as a follow-up to giving away Actual Size by Steve Jenkins . . .

We’re giving away one copy of What Do You Do With a Tail Like This by Steve Jenkins & Robin Page

What Do You Do with a Tail Like This? (Caldecott Honor Book)

To enter this contest, just answer the following question in the comments section of this post.

Do you homeschool?  Why or why not? (There’s not a right answer!)

The Rules:

One entry per person, please.

No entries after 8:00 pm Central Time, Thursday, April 8, 2010

The winner must be a resident of The United States.

The winner will be selected at random and announced Friday, April 9, 2010, at 12:00 pm Central Time. Check back it might be you!

THIS CONTEST IS CLOSED. You are welcome to leave a comment. We read all of your messages!

Life with Jeannine