A morbid reason to homeschool

Over the years Janine and I have written about dozens of reasons to homeschool. As we wrote in our Introduction to Homeschooling:

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A recent survey, by the Department of Education, found that about 85% of homeschooling parents were concerned about the environment of public schools. This ranged worries about safety from bullies, to gangs, to drugs, and so on. A second major reason, for 72% of the parents, was a desire to provide religious or moral instruction. The third major reason, 68%, was dissatisfaction with academic instruction at public schools.

There are also many, many more reasons. Some homeschool so their child can be in the movies. Some homeschool because it is hard to get rid of bad public school teachers. Others homeschool because of the father's work schedule. I know some parents homeschool to avoid assignments like researching internet porn. The reasons go on, and on, and on, and on, and on, and on.
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Today I thought of a new reason to homeschool. It is a bit morbid. The reason came to me while I was having lunch with a good friend.

My friend's grandmother, living in another state, had recently died. She appears to have passed away peacefully at 101. She was mentally sharp and physically active up until the end. (That is my goal, to reach 100 mentally sharp and physically active.)

My friend said it was a good experience to get together with his sister and their cousins. They helped clean out some of the house and talked about memories. My friend had taken his children for the funeral, but then took them back home so they won't miss much school. He is going back this Thursday to help clean out the rest of the house over the weekend. His children will stay in school.

During lunch I thought about what a missed opportunity for his children. My friend will be on the road for most of Thursday. They could have dad all to themselves. They could chat about what is on their minds. He could share some of his best memories about their great grandmother. It could be a real bounding trip.

Then at his grandmother's house his children could have gotten to know their aunts and uncles better. Working together is a real bounding experience. And again treasured memories would be shared.

As it is they will be stuck in school learning merely academic topics. They'll miss out on some real meaningful lessons, life lessons about how a woman lived a great life and the influence she had on generations.

This is not a major reason for homeschooling, but I am glad that when my family members die, hopefully many years in the future, my children will be able to be more involved in the morning process, and learn to a deeper level lessons from the death of a loved one.


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