If They Were in Public School...

Last week I decided I didn't like the fact that after the time change my kids were still sleeping until 9:00 in the morning.  So I implemented the wake up time of 7:00.  Which really wasn't too bad...until my son had a migraine headache after the 3rd day of waking up early.  Those migraines are one of the reasons we started homeschooling because one of the triggers of his migraines is not enough sleep.  He hasn't had a migraine in months.  Until I decided they needed to get up earlier.

Because, as we ALL know-If they were in PUBLIC SCHOOL, they would have to get up at the crack of dawn.

But isn't that why I chose to homeschool? 

A great deal of us homeschooling moms have this nagging voice in the back of our minds that likes to bring up doubts, beginning with the phrase "If they were in public school..."

If they were in public school...they would be more responsible.

If they were in public school..they would be more independent.

If they were in public school...they would have more friends.

It's easy to give into the doubts.  But having had the public school experience with my children, I can counter that arguement:

When they were in public school...they were too exhausted at the end of the day to enjoy each other.  Or any of their extra-curricular activities.

When they were in public school...if they were sick, they had to miss a whole day of instruction.  And they were sick A LOT.  Now they can pick up some school work later in the day if they feel better.  But now they are rarely sick.

When they were in public school...they had lots of 'acquaintences'-but not really any friends.  At least, not any more than they have now.  For the most part they only saw those friends at school.  And they only time they had to socialize was during lunch...but they weren't allowed to talk at lunch.  And recess.  Which was only 15 minutes long.

When they were in public school...they weren't as responsible as they are now, because all of the daily housework was done by me while they were in school.  Now they see what all goes into running a household and are an active part of it.  They know how to do laundry, cook meals, etc.  They see that there is no magic fairy to make their beds or pick up their toys. 

I have had my fair share of those doubts.  But in the end I always come out in favor of our decision to homeschool.  Because I have seen both sides and frankly...I like the side we are on right now.