3 of 10

Write now Article Tools

I was nuts to start home schooling our daughter. I am still nuts for continuing to home school her. I will remain nuts and get even nuttier for home schooling her until she starts college. I need my head examined. I need a heart transplant - mine is too big to allow my daughter to go to school with all the junk going on there. Talk about a love/hate relationship.

I love home schooling because I know exactly what my daughter is learning and how well she is doing with her studies. I do not have to rely on a stranger (teacher/babysitter?) to tell me how she is doing. I control what she learns. As a Christian, I teach her what our family believes as well as what the world thinks she should know. She will make up her own mind about her beliefs and faith.

I hate home schooling because I know exactly what my daughter is learning and how well she is doing with her studies. I have to decide what to teach and what not to teach. If she falls behind or doesn't excel, I am to blame. Her education rest entirely on my shoulders. If she can't read or do algebra, I can't say the school system failed her. I have to say I failed her.

I love home schooling because I get to spend time with my daughter. I get to watch her mind expand. I get to see the look in her eyes when she learns something new - that look of pride only education can provide. I watch her grasp on to new concepts and apply them to the ones she has already learned.

I hate home schooling because I get to spend time with my daughter. I have to see her face twist up when she doesn't understand something. I have to see the look in her eyes when she struggles to learn something - that look of disappointment only the thought of failure can cause. I have to see her try over and over to figure something out and apply it.

It is a love/hate relationship that I wouldn't trade for anything. The pros far outweighs the cons. It is hard. It is the biggest responsibility I have ever had. I hold her future in my hands, to hand to her and let her run with it or to throw it away and watch her not live up to all her potential. I'm not complaining or bragging. I am stating facts. I love home schooling and I hate schooling. I love it far more than I hate it. It is the most rewarding, fascinating and fun thing I have ever done, despite all the hard work and responsibility. I wouldn't change a thing. Yes, I am nuts.

Learn more about this author, Emma Riley Sutton.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

Add your voice

Know something about Confessions of a homeschool mom?
We want to hear your view. Write now!