Why Choose Home Education?

Before explaining the reasons we chose home education for our 4 kids more than 6 years ago, there are some important questions I would like you to ask yourself: Why do you choose to send your children to school? What are your expectations from their school? Do you have a vision for their future? Do you have specific moral, religious, and academic goals? Does the school promise to meet those goals and assist you in your journey? Did you have a discussion with the administration about your expectations to assess whether this school is the best fit for your family?

Over the years we have been taught to view schools and the current state controlled educational system as an essential part of our children’s lives. Children simply cannot succeed, advance, and achieve without going through this system of education. I am inviting you to think outside of what we have been programmed to accept as the “right” way to raise and educate our children. As Muslim parents, we believe Allah entrusted us with children to protect and raise in a way that pleases Him. For this reason, we must constantly evaluate ourselves, the path we take, and the choices we make on our parenting journey. Based on that evaluation, we make adjustments and go down unfamiliar paths if needed.

No entity should be in control of how and what your child needs to learn and become and tell you how to parent them. One of the problem with schools is that they mandate what and when your child should learn and for how long. Children spend approximately 14 years of their lives in school and it greatly shapes their character, personality and way of thinking. This is why choosing an educational path is not a decision that should be taken lightly.

The home education movement has been on the rise for several decades and gaining recognition for its success as an alternative to traditional schooling. I refer to it as home education rather than homeschooling because it is not school at home. It is important to understand that home education does not mean you bring the school to your home. Your child is also not socially deprived and trapped at home sitting in a desk for hours. On the contrary, they have more time to pursue things they are passionate about, go on field trips, interact with the real world, and participate in numerous activities they would not have time for if they attended traditional school. Following are some of the reasons we chose home education:

1. We as parents would not have any say in what our children are being taught. Curriculums are not up for negotiation whether in public or private schools. Many of the values, concepts, and stories being taught are problematic and collided with our values. We had a vision and goals for our kids that were not met by these institutions.
2. The atmosphere of a school isn’t morally sound. Students come from many different households and share many negative thoughts and behaviors with one another.
3. Kids are grouped into classrooms with the same age and social level. They also have to take permission to do basic things like use the bathroom, drink water, and eat. They have to stand in line and follow instructions for most of the day. Children thrive in a routine but not under that much control. We wanted to opt for a more child led learning environment that encourages autonomy and confidence.
4. We believe the family should be at the center of a child’s life. The family relationships between parents and children, between siblings, and with extended family are very important in shaping their character and identity. When children spend most of their day in school, it becomes the main controlling institution in shaping, molding, and raising them .
5. For 8+ hours a day, children are in the same building that is surrounded by a fence/gate and security from which they are not allowed to leave. They are grouped by age which means they are with kids that are the same level all day in a teacher lead educational environement. This picture was not our idea of an ideal place to learn, explore, and pursue passions.
6. We wanted that precious time with our children to shower them with our love and mentor them rather than seeing them for a few hours a day.
7. Children learn in different ways and have different passions. A teacher with 30 students in a classroom can’t completely cater to every child’s individual needs. At home, I could focus on changing the way I taught based on each child’s personality and preferred learning method. This removes a lot of the stress and helps children enjoy the journey and become life long learners.
8. Sibling relationships are stronger and healthier. They bond more because they spend plenty of time together and share many experiences.
9. We gained flexibility as a family. We decided when to take vacations and go on field trips rather than being controlled by the school year schedule. We are able to enjoy activities and field trips on school days when it isn’t crowded. When we went out to parks or other places during traditional school hours, we would see many elderly couples or new moms with little ones. We learned a lot of oral history and my kids entertained the little ones while new moms got a break or asked me for parenting advice.
10. Because my kids are not swarmed with projects and homework, they are able to accompany us on many outings school kids miss out on. They are with me when I visit a sick person, the post office, the bank, stores, gas station, mechanic shop, etc. They get to interact with the real world and learn real life skills. I let them have conversations with the adults at these places and ask all their questions while I stand back to build their confidence.
11. In the early years, I was able to focus on encouraging a love for learning, reading, exploring, and provide them with the skills and tools to pursue their passions rather than have them buried in busy work and tests. When a method or a curriculum does not work or causes stress, I simply research and find a better way to teach the subject that sparks interest and cooperation. If a child is having difficulty learning a concept after that, I simply leave it and try again in a few months or a year when she is ready.
12. The future is constantly changing and so is the job market. Home education gives us the chance to teach children other skills and knowledge that will help them adapt to a changing world.

Those are our main reasons for taking this path. Every family is different and I hope you find the best path for yours. If you have any questions, add them in the comments and I will be more than happy to answer them. Wishing you all the best on your parenting journey.