When we ask our Calvert Families about their favorite aspects of homeschooling, one item that is always at the top of the list is FLEXIBILITY. This is especially true for parents who have experienced the world of public or private schooling. While the flexibility of homeschooling can be an adjustment for some, most homeschooling parents enjoy the following aspects of learning at home.
Sleep In
Gone are the days of setting the alarm for 5:30am so you can get the kids up, make breakfast, spend 20 minutes finding Johnny’s left shoe, leave the house by 6:45, and battle the carpool lane for 30 minutes. Many of our Calvert Families follow modified daily schedules. If Suzie needs a few extra hours of sleep in the morning and doesn’t start her school work until 9am, that’s ok. If Johnny does his best math work at 8pm in the evening, that’s ok too. As a homeschooler, you can follow a daily schedule that works best or YOUR family.
Make Your Own Calendar
As a homeschooler, you’re not tied to a calendar created by local school officials. If you want to take President’s Day off, but do schoolwork on the 4th of July, go for it! Many of our Calvert Families follow modified school year calendars. Some follow a 2 weeks on/ 2 weeks off approach, some school year-round, some take a long winter break and school throughout the summer. As a homeschooler, you can decide what’s best for your family.
Make Time for Things that Matter
Go visit grandma during the middle of the school year. Spend time with loved ones. You don’t have to wait until summer break to travel. Take the school work with you or make up for it over the summer. If mom or dad have time off from work during the “normal” school year, make that a vacation week from school too and spend time together as a family.
Learn Something New
Because homeschool students can complete their lessons at their own pace, most students spend less time on school work that the typical 7-8 hour school day. This frees up time to pursue new hobbies or explore areas of interest. Create a family gardening project, learn a new language together, teach the children how to cook or bake, or start a home improvement project. If Johnny has always wanted to learn to play the guitar, now is a great time to do so.
We often hear from Calvert Families who enjoy their flexible homeschool schedules because it allows their students to receive a rigorous education while pursuing competitive dance, sports, music, acting, and more!
Play Hookey
No more crowded Saturday afternoon movie theaters or long lines at the aquarium! Take a weekday afternoon off and go have some fun. You can always do math and science on Saturday afternoon!
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