(A/N: I wrote this for a poetry contest held by a homeschool history curriculum.  The winning poem (which had to be about homeschooling) would be included in a literature collection geared towards elementary schoolers.  I didn't win, but I enjoyed writing this regardless.)

Growing up, I had the liberty to wait to take the test
Take another day to really understand
Growing up, I had the privilege to learn how I learn best
'Cause differences were never, ever banned

The world was filled with wonder and I learned more every day
I did worksheets in pajamas 'cause I could
Most days I finished my assignments and had hours and hours to play
And it was easy, it was fun, and it was good

And then, as I got older, other kids began to change
Telling lies and cruel jokes and breaking rules
They weren't evil, they weren't awful, but I found it kind of strange
How many differences there were between our schools

When other voices are surrounding you, they're bound to reach your mind
Sometimes, you start to think their words are true
People, music, and TV shows, they all have their little lies
What they say that you should want and think and do

But growing up, my loudest voices weren't from kids my age and grade
Kids I knew weren't any wiser than I was
Instead I listened to my parents, and the Lord each time I prayed
And I learned to guard my head and heart, because

I still have voices of all shapes and kinds, some good for me, some not
Sometimes, the lies they hide are hard to find
But I know to sift through all of them, and judge each passing thought
To find out if I want it in my mind

Growing up, I've had the liberty to learn and play and grow
I do worksheets in pajamas 'cause I can
But more than that, I've learned the stuff I really need to know
Like faith and love and trusting in His plan

I've learned kindness, wisdom, grammar, patience, history, and math 
I have a teacher who is always on my side
Yes, my parents listened to the Lord and left the beaten path
And I couldn't be more grateful if I tried.