the little things... sorta silly, hopefully happy

[lizzie]

I think most everyone on this thread knows the 'big' reasons we want to HS our children, and are all about sharing those with anyone who happens to ask. But I stumbled across a little bit of happiness the other day when I realized one of many lesser known benefits of HS. It just tickled me pink, and made me just *so thrilled* that my life has led me to HS as an option all over again. SO, I thought I'd share that with y'all and see if any of you had come across something similar in your days. Kind of a "Pennies from Homeschool" instead of from heaven!

What happened for me was really kind of strange and funny. I was on an Interstate highway, had to go, and stopped at the first restroom I came across. Of course, it was in a truck stop, and this one was about midway between nasty and reasonably clean. But, if you'll excuse me, while sitting there, I realized just how little time my children would be spending in one of those fiberglass cubicles compared to how much time I had spent in them, between PS, the military, and my dh being an OTR truck driver. They won't be getting *anywhere*near* the education I got from reading nonsense on the walls! They won't realize in horror that there is no tp! They won't have obnoxious children looking under the stalls, and this led me to my dd NOT having her first period with 30 other children around to comment, gossip and ridicule her for it. And of course, the obvious bonus of her never having to beg in humiliation for permission to use the restroom and being denied by a teacher who (rightly or wrongly) assumes she's just trying to get out of something.

Obviously, the odd store or restaraunt restroom will be utilized, but I'll most likely be with them for that. This realization left me beaming through the rest of my day! I can just imagine how many other wonderful reasons I'll find to reinforce my choice!

lizzie

[LavenderMae]

I never thought about that!!!!

[joesmom]

it makes me happy that joe will never have to stop playing, reading, watching tv, whatever, to get ready for bed because tomorrow is a school day. that he will never have to get up at 6 am & rush getting dressed & eating breakfast to head to the bus stop before it is light out.

there are so many reasons i am glad we are homeschooling, i will have to start writing them down!

[lizzie]

Joesmom, you made me think of another! Pretty much what you're saying, actually, but they can *sleep* all they need, whether it's 4 hours or 14, depending on their age and stage! How many of us survived M-F on less than 5 hours throughout our entire adolescence because we had to be up at 5, live life, and do whatever absurd homework was to be done!! No wonder I was such a pain in the booty!!

lizzie

[mattemma04]

//

[Ann-Marita]

Yes, I agree with the sleep thing! Both getting enough sleep and sleeping according to their own rhythms. I have come to believe that many teens are naturally nocturnal, or nearly so.

Unfortunately, I work one morning a week, and dd has to get up and go with me. But that will change soon to a somewhat more forgiving schedule. And when dd is a little older, she will be able to stay by herself while I go work 3 hours.

Another tiny little thing: LICE! Or rather, the lack of them. I remember when a kid at school had lice, and everyone got sent home with a note to the parents that basically instructed them to put poison on their child's head. Ick!

We love theme parks, and we think going on, say, a Thursday when most of the kids are in school is just the best. The crowds are smaller, fewer distateful messages on T-shirts, etc.

Ann-Marita

edited to add: It's not unfortunate that I work - just unfortunate that my dd has to get up early to come with me. I love my job and sometimes feel like the luckiest woman on earth to have such a creative and family-friendly occupation.

[Mom4tot]

I love reading all of these things! I am thinking about the amount of time my dd has to work on projects, read and do artwork. The kids can play as long as they want, no one is rushing them through everything.

Dd can also be silly, make up songs all day, enjoy Veggie Tales, just romp around. I imagine in school she would feel pressure to inhibit those moments, either by the teacher or other students. At home she can be herself!

[carrots]

i remember being in school on nice days and just *itching* to go outside. now, my kids will be able to go outside whenever they want-even do their projects outside!

[Fieryfly]

I realized that my kids, esp my youngest, have their own eating schedules. These schedules also change with each day and week. As homeschoolers, they usually have the freedom to eat when they feel hungry. Sometimes they'll eat right when they wake up, and other times they'll wait an hour or two. Sometimes we'll have a morning snack, sometimes we won't. I love being able to create our daily routine around our own rhythms.