Considerations before committing to home education
Time commitment
Homeschooling tends to take up a lot of time in your day. It is more than just sitting down with books for a couple of hours. There are experiments to be done, great books to be read, meals to be cooked together, lessons to prepare, support group activities to attend, field trips, park days, music lessons, and the list goes on. However, the most important part of homeschooling is that of building, maintaining and strengthening relationships.
This does take T I M E.
Personal sacrifice
I won’t lie. Many (most) homeschool parents have little personal time. However, some families schedule some personal time and make it a habit. Some find that going to the shops on a Saturday morning gives them a well needed break. For others it may be establishing a daily quiet time where everyone rests, including mum! However, the general consensus is that children are at home with mum 24/7.
Financial strain
Homeschooling can be accomplished very successfully and inexpensively. However, may families do need to make adjustments when going from two incomes to one. You may find that needs and priorities will change and money will be saved in ways you had never thought possible. Not only is it possible but I’ve never heard of any family who put their children back into school because they missed the second income. (I don’t know how they manage but even single parents successfully homeschool!)
Household Organisation
Many families create a housework/chores routine and it works fine for them. Other people do find that the house is always untidy. Untidy is not dirty though and children need to be allowed create a little mess in order for the imagination to be stimulated and ideas to simmer in their minds.
Parental Unity
It is important that both parents agree to homeschool. It is very difficult to homeschool if one parent is against it. If your spouse is against it at this time, try doing more research and talking to more people. Pray about it.
Child/Student Willingness
A willing student is always helpful. Ultimately, the final decision rests with the parent but if the child is resistant then it is possible that you may have struggles.
Intimidated by the teaching? Not good at maths, let alone teaching it to your child?
If you can read and write, you should be able to teach your children. The curriculum and teacher materials will help through the planning and teaching. Homeschool resources (as opposed to school/teacher resources) are excellent for the homeschool setting. There are resources that teach directly to the student (which also make it easy for you to assist them) and other resources have Teacher Manuals with extra tips and information. Yes, you can homeschool in all subjects- just a dose of enthusiasm, motivation, creativity and support and you’ll do fine. (You’ll find help for these issues and many more in the forums)
Yes homeschooling has some points to consider but in comparison to the school lifestyle it isn’t necessarily ‘harder’. In fact, many homeschoolers believe it can be much easier than dealing with the schools, the school schedules and their homework and associated behaviours and issues.
