To homeschool or not to homeschool may be an easy decision for some families, but for others, it is paralyzing. If you find yourself in this position, the following considerations will guide you through your decision making process.
Know your State Homeschooling Laws
The Homeschool Legal Defense Association is an organization that supports home educators. The laws governing homeschooling are regulated by each state so familiarizing yourself with your state’s requirements is your first step. Find out whether you have to notify the district of your intent to homeschool. What kind of records does your state require? Can homeschooled children participate in public or charter school extracurricular activities? You can find out more about the regulations where you live here: Homeschool Laws by State.
Talk to Other Homeschool Families
Like state regulations, not all homeschool families are created equal. Search out homeschool parents and talk to several families, not just one. You will start to get a feel for different homeschooling styles and will begin to formulate which, if any, will be a good fit your family unit.
How do I find other Homeschoolers?
Google homeschool co-ops or groups in your area, and ask to schedule a visit or to speak with a mentor. On social media, you will find lots of different homeschoolers – all in one spot. It helps to find others who have already navigated the same path.
List your Reasons for Homeschooling
Why do you want to homeschool? What has happened in the past that would make you consider homeschooling? List ALL of them, the good, the bad, and the ugly, then weigh the pros and cons. HOWEVER, “fear” and “socialization” are not cons! If we made our decisions based on fear of failure the human population would still be living in caves, and since we no longer live in caves, socialization is not an issue either!
Conquer the Fear of Failure
Confidence erases fear, and the only way to get confidence is to ask others for help, jump in, and learn as you go. Homeschooling is like coaching a team.When the local soccer team looses an easy game, the coaches (teachers) have two choices. They can highlight the failures, berate the players, and go home. The other alternative is to address the issues, work with the players on weaknesses, offer encouragement, and prepare for the next game. Homeschooling is no different!
With that said, let’s say you try homeschooling for a year and you feel it is not working. Making an informative, weighted decision to return to a different school setting is not failure, it is just another change in the path!
Socializing, Like Fear, is not a Con!
Unless you are a hermit and never leave your property, socializing is not an issue. In fact, most homeschool families will tell you that some days it is nearly impossible to accomplish seat-work. Why? Because we are busy playing, visiting, shopping, going on field trips, and playing sports, not just with same-age-peers, but hanging out with people of all ages. Have you read our post, Homeschooling and the Socialization Issue?
Time Factor
The average day for most families is 3-4 hours a day. Homeschooling requires less time than a typical school setting, because there is no standing in lines, waiting for other students to finish, or schedules to keep. Homeschool is flexible and can happen on any day of the week, at any time during the day, and any where on earth. Read more at Extend your Homeschooling Day, without Teaching
But I Work Full Time
I won’t lie. Working full time and homeschooling is a difficult situation, but it can be done. Here are three different scenarios.
I flew for the airlines and homeschooled even while being gone three to four days a week. I wish we had Facetime then! Now, I work from home and schedule my work hours in the mornings and evenings.
I know a widowed, full-time working mom who homeschools. She will tell you that it is worth the difficulties and that organization is a key element. Her children get assignments done, with help from their daycare provider, then she checks the works, helps with issues, and creates upcoming assignments in the evening. In spite of the death of her husband, this is one of the happiest, over-achieving families I have ever met.
Another friend of mine works during the day but she is a night owl and so is her daughter. They start their school day right after dinner and finish odds and ends on Saturday morning.
Every family is as different as their arrangements!
Is Homeschooling Affordable?
Millions of homeschool families are on a tight budget. They take advantage of what the on-line, homeschooling world has to offer. There are tons of free printable worksheets, curriculum, and homeschool courses available.
Can I spend that much time with my Children?
I can only answer for me, and I will tell you that I understand my children in a way that I don’t think would have been possible, if I had sent them to school. I like being with my kids! Yes, there will be rough days, but those moments cause us to grow, not only gray hair, but grow in a way that we learn to compromise, find alternative teaching methods, or ‘stop’ and declare that tomorrow is a new day.
So… To Homeschool or Not to Homeschool?
You can ask children for their input, but ultimately the decision factor lies with the parents. Maybe you have already decided that homeschooling is not an option, and that is perfectly acceptable. But, if your curiosity is piqued, you might want to give homeschooling a try, knowing that you can always make changes, or re-enroll your children back in school.
Here are other homeschooling articles:
We Chose to Homeschool
Learning Beyond the Classroom
Email me, or use the comment section below if you have other questions or need more guidance! Don’t forget, you can get the latest by signing up for our monthly newsletter!
