The following article was reprinted with permission from HELP UP News from the column "Thoughts From Blythe", July 1995. HELP (Home Education League of Parents) is a support organization with chapters in several states including Michigan. Their newsletter MENTOR is published regularly. For information about this organization please contact: HELP, P.O. Box 98, Perrysburg, OH 43551.

A friend and fellow homeschooler asked recently what my answer was when people inquired why I homeschool. My reply was that it depended on who was asking and what I thought their motivation might be. Even when I thought I could trust the question and the questioner, I didn't have a neat little response to pull from my pocket.

When I'm feeling feisty or rebellious, I'm likely to lace the truth with defiance which usually gets me into more trouble than I need. If I'm in an insecure or tenuous phase, I meekly back off and sound less confident than I know I am. Sometimes, if the timing is just right and the stars are all correctly aligned, I answer with a straight forward, secure, inarguable statement. I don't know why I forget to write those down for future referral!

My friend's query did get me thinking though...and thinking quite a bit. I know the pieces I write for the newsletter help me to clarify my reasons. But, they are often so philosophical that it's hard to one-line a response to someone asking in a casual manner.

I decided to see what I'd get from asking others this same question. The following is a taste of each person's thinking:

• I think society needs to change in a very fundamental way. We need to do this on an individual basis which is difficult, if not impossible to do, when immersed in part of the system that needs changing.
• I always wonder why they're asking us. Are they waiting to judge us? Do they want to argue? The truth is I don't believe the quality of the education our kids would be getting is up to par. I can do better. I don't say that very often though.
• For our family, it works very well. We have better control of our priorities and values. I think standard education is too narrow. I remember coming through high school and college feeling intelligent but incompetent.
• I used to say it was for religious or philosophical reasons and because it provided the best possible education for the kids. But now that's changed to: it's best for the kids because it allows them to be more complete human beings. By following their interests, they are living in a more real world with real people. They are their own little beings, not just a part of the big machine.
• Partly because we avoid the problems in the public schools. We don't have to deal with the drug problems, the violence or the lack of morals.
• I like having my kids around. I didn't spend six years helping them become decent people just to ship them off for someone else to enjoy. I think they're also closer to their siblings than most of the kids I see.
• I prefer that my child spends segments of time with all ages of children and adults. I don't like the peer grouping and pressure that happens in regular school. I think that atmosphere is what ultimately leads to the 'teen problem' that exists today.
• I like the child-led learning. I want them to be able to explore their own interests.
• I like the flexibility. We hope to do a lot of traveling, eventually, and it will be much easier to do if we don't have to deal with a school system or the adjustments we'd have had once the kids were in that system.

There were humorous one-liners..."If you knew my first born, you'd know why!" "Because they don't give me a choice!" "Guess they can't cut class, can they?!" This last was an observation made from an outsider.

Out of curiosity, I asked Kellin (my son) why he liked homeschooling. This was his list of reasons: I don't get teased, don't need to ride on the school bus, don't have to get up early, I get to have mom teach me, I have more time at home, and I get to choose the schoolwork I want.

Like one mom said, there are about a million reasons why we homeschool. You can probably find parts of yourself in most of the reasons stated above. They're all good for discussion, certainly.

I have to share the response of one dad with you because it's the one I'm going to put in my pocket. In the future when I need the perfect response that doesn't challenge, threaten or beg confrontation, I'll have it to refer to. In fact, I think it opens the door for exploration and nurtures an atmosphere for intelligent exchange of information.