I think it’s great that you homeschool, but I could never do it. It’s a phrase I hear often. People are always curious about our life as a homeschooling family but they are quick to add that little tidbit of information into our conversation. It’s quickly accompanied by one of the following:

I wouldn’t have the patience for it

I would go crazy if my kids were home all day

I just don’t think I could ever do it

You have to have a lot of money to do it

I usually just smile and nod but what I’d really like to tell them is this:

At the beginning it’ll feel like you don’t have enough patience. You will be frustrated, you will want to give up but with time your patience will grow and the things that were so trying will become easier. Homeschooling makes you a more patient person.

Some days you will walk the fine line between sanity and lunacy but isn’t that how it is already? You have to spend the day with someone wouldn’t you rather do it with the craziness that are your kids?

You absolutely can do it! You gave birth to those children, you taught them to eat, talk and walk. You taught them how to use the potty and dress them selves. You taught them to tie their shoes, button their shirts, zip up their coats. You taught them to count, to write their names, to say the alphabet. You could teach them if you really want to.

You do not need a lot of money to homeschool, but you do need to budget and sacrifice. There will be times you’ll have to go without, get by with one car, or buy the smaller house but you’ll be investing in your children’s lives.

For those who do not want to homeschool their children or seriously can not, that is your decision and I fully respect it. However, if you are thinking about homeschooling, know this; You are capable and even though it’s not always easy, be encouraged, anything of value takes effort and hard work.