I think all boys should have the benefit of a homeschooled life!  It just seems so unnatural for boys (girls, too, but this post is about teenage boys because that’s what I have!) of all ages to be cooped up in a classroom all.  day.  long.  How hard it must be for them to sit still and listen and stand in line and do what everyone else is doing at the same time as all the other kids, basically to the same standard as the other kids.  What about self-expression.  What about play?  What about TESTOSTERONE!  When my boys’ energy level goes up I have 2 choices: 1. force them to sit still and quietly do their work.  or 2.  Tell them to go outside and play, run or do some chores.  THEN they can get back to doing school.

Play and free time are so important to kids and teens alike.  It is an area that is often overlooked in homeschool families and almost ALWAYS overlooked in public schools.  It’s even being written about by scientists and talked about at TED Talks.  It’s important.  Play time and free time for children is diminishing, too.  When would the kids have time to play?  They are at school all day and then in activities in the evenings and weekends, not to mention homework.  Yes, kids need to know their math facts, but they need to play more!