Clayton playing his violin.

One of the advantages of homeschooling is having more time to pursue one’s interests.  The hours of “school” are much more flexible and less time is spent on table work compared to the 8 a.m.-4 p.m. schedule of the local public school student.  And home-schooled children do not have homework to complete in the evenings.

My children are encouraged to follow their interests and/or gifts.  Usually children are interested in what they excel or have talent.  Being home schooled allows ample time for them to pursue their interests.

My oldest child, Clayton, begged for two years to learn violin.  I did not know from where this desire came.  I certainly had no interest in learning to play an instrument.  However, I enjoy listening to music.  After two years, I realized that Clayton was serious about playing.  Over the last six years, Clayton has learned to play beautifully and enjoys it.

Kyla playing a harp.

My daughter, Kyla, also begged for two years to learn harp.  Do you know how much a harp costs?  I finally found a teacher.  Harpists do not come a dime a dozen.  Kyla has excelled at the harp, too.  She also loves to dance and sew.  She takes lessons in both.

Jake, my seven year old, wanted to play fiddle, which really suits his personality.  He has been doing very well.  He also is very interested in baseball.  Jake spends most of his afternoon free time throwing balls into his rebounding net to practice catching.  He also bought a pitching machine with his own money from working for his grandfather.  While he practices baseball, he listens to his fiddle music to kill two birds with one stone.  Jake has to listen to his music pieces since he learns fiddle with the Suzuki method.

All three of my children love to ride horses.  They are all members of the Grimes County Sheriff’s Junior Deputy Mounted Posse.  As members they represent the county in parades, rodeos, and other events.  Horsemanship and horseback riding requires time.

Jake the Fiddler

I know that public school students also make  time for their interests.  It is just nice to have time during the day to pursue and enjoy our interests.  If my children were stuck in public school all day, I don’t know when they would have the time to pursue music, horses, dance, and sewing among other things.  We consider ourselves blessed to have the privilege, right, and opportunity to home-school.