The Benefits of Being Homeschooled

Thanks for the inside scoop on homeschooling in Asia, {Cecilia}! —Sparkitors

I guess I should just blurt it out right now: I'm a homeschooler, and I'm proud of it. I went to public school for several years, and I can safely say that homeschooling has done far more for me than public school ever did. But there are so many prejudices against homeschooling, especially in the part of Asia where I live. Education is supremely important here—whenever I meet someone, the first thing they ask after we're introduced is "So, what school do you go to?" When I reply, "I'm homeschooled," many spew out their Coke, coffee, tea, teeth, pacifer, etc., and stare at me as if I've just grown three heads. Lovely way to begin an friendship, don't you think?

Because of the prejudice I'm often faced with,  I'm here to stand up for homeschooled Sparklers and tell the world that homeschooling offers an education to be envied. Here's why:

1. Homemade food is literally awesomesauce. Don't deny it: cafeteria food is basically inedible. I went to public school once upon a time too, and oh, the horrors. Anyone who couldn't choke down the raw, cold fish slices was punished; on Wednesdays, the teachers actually took the trash cans out of the cafeterias to ensure that we finished our meals! I used to sneak octopus tentacles out of my soup and fling them under the tables—I know it was wrong, but I was too disgusted and desperate to care. Now, as a homeschooler, I always eat every scrap of my meals (yes, even the celery). I think it's because I don't feel the weight of obligation; there aren't any angry cafeteria ladies or teachers hovering suspiciously over my shoulder. Consequently, eating lunch has become a voluntary pleasure instead of a forced duty.

2. Homeschooling changed the world. Thomas Alva Edison, anyone? Abraham Lincoln? Homeschooling has produced some serious talent, there's no doubt about it.

3. There's no pressure to dress up, which means you don't have to spend an hour fussing in front of the mirror, only to get sneered at for your efforts. At home, as long as you're wearing something clean and comfortable, you're good to go. It's silly to obsess over how you look, but it's kinda hard to help yourself when you have a classroom full of kids inspecting your outfit every day. But if you're homeschooled, there are no swaggering bullies and no cruel creeps: there's just you, rocking your classiest sweatpants.

4. Homeschool makes you closer to your family. Roll your eyes and call me a geek, but I seriously think that getting to know your brothers and sisters and spending quality time with your parents is more important than flaunting your flirting skills. Cafeteria romances are fleeting, but a family united is one of the most comforting and lasting things in this world.

5. Homeschool gives you more time. More time to talk, more time to study, more time to enjoy life—and more time to read SparkLife!

Hey, sounds good to us! What do you guys think?

Related post: A Day in the Life of a Homeschooler With 7 Siblings