When you think of homeschooled siblings being with each other most of the day, you might wonder why anyone would do such a crazy thing. Don’t they fight and tease each other all day? No, that does not have to be the case. Actually, I have seen some rewards for having my children together a lot. One thing I often pray is that there would be fruit in homeschooling. It’s not easy to homeschool. It takes a lot of diligence, patience, planning, and a loving mom. Despite the hard parts, there are some really rewarding aspects of homeschooling siblings together.
Best Friends
One benefit of homeschooling siblings that they become each other’s best friends. This is the case with my kids. Their happiest moments are inventing games together, playing board games, and being read the same books. A special bond occurs when siblings spend so much time together, but what is special about it is that this bond can last for such a long time. It can extend into adulthood and for the rest of their lives. Friends are also a blessing, but your circle of friends will change over the years. Your family doesn’t change, which means they are worth investing in.
I have made many wonderful friends over the years, but my siblings, especially my sisters, are my closest friends. There’s less explaining to do because they know everything. The reason why siblings share a special bond is that they go through the good and the bad together. They know what the other brother or sister has gone through and they get how they think. There’s something very special about sharing your childhood with your siblings. No one else will share as many of the same experiences with you (except for maybe a spouse). It keeps you close even when you move away or become busier. It can take years to grow a friendship that is of an equivalent depth (definitely possible, but it takes a lot of work).
Something else to consider is your children’s personalities. I think introverts benefit being close to their siblings. I know I have. When siblings become close friends, it serves as a model for how to be a good friend to others. They also have that person with whom they are comfortable and be themselves. Introverts really need that!
My almost five-year old will begin using the same spelling curriculum (All About Spelling) and the same math curriculum (Good and Beautiful) as her older brothers. What has been nice to see is how excited they are for her to join them in using the same books they once used. I found one of my sons looking at her math book and telling her how he remembered doing this lesson and that lesson. His excitement made her excited. She can’t wait to do math!
Excitement for the Younger Siblings
They are excited for her to join their team and do the same lessons they once did. I told my boys how their sister would be doing lessons on the board (All About Spelling uses a special board with letter tiles). They ran off to tell her the exciting news!
Shared Reading Experience
Homeschooling siblings can often mean you have time to read aloud.I read aloud after lunch when the two-year old is napping. Besides enjoying the same story, there’s bonding that goes on when we get to know the same characters. When we laugh at Otis Spofford wearing pink underwear or breathe a sigh of relief when the train finally arrived in DeSmet before Laura Ingalls and her family starved. It’s like we all went through another experience together. That deepens everyone’s relationship because we have all felt the emotions of the other characters and seen life from a new perspective.
This past week I started reading The Wizard of Oz to my daughter. It’s one of those long picture book type of books. It must be abridged. She loves the story, and so does her older brother, who read the picture book on his own several times a year or two ago. He always ends up sitting with us sharing what happens next and wanting to talk about the book. I love seeing how books connect siblings. Seeing her brother get excited about the story helps her love it more.
They also listen to chapter books while they eat lunch. We have been listening to anything by Beverly Cleary (there’s Shakespeare, and then there’s Beverly Cleary. She’s amazing!) for more than two years. We all know the Ramona stories well and look forward to relistening to certain parts of the story. Even my husband has heard the Ramona stories and enjoys rehearing the funny parts.
Last Thoughts
I think I forgot to mention that I was homeschooled as well. I spent a lot of time playing with my sisters. As I got older, I made more friends. Now that I am even older, I gravitate more towards my family. They are the easiest people to talk to because they know me (I do spend time with friends though). The closeness I have with my siblings is something I want for my kids as well. I love seeing all the good things that happen when siblings learn and play together. Homeschooling siblings is a great way to help them grow close, connect, and encourage one another.