2020 has been wild so far! When the U.S. (and the world) shut down for months, parents and children got to spend a lot of time together. They navigated work and school from home for the first time. Some families decided it was kind of nice. Other families, not so much. Now with the upcoming school year looming with little certainty about what it will look like, I’m starting to field some questions from parents interested in homeschooling for the first time. I bet that you’re reading this and wondering if homeschool is for you.
This is exciting to me! I love encouraging families to pursue homeschool!
I want to help you decide if homeschool might work for your family. I’m going to offer you a quick rundown to help you decide if homeschool is for you! Then you can jump over here and here to figure out how to get started!
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Are you already invested in your child’s education?
If the answer is yes, then you’re ahead of the curve! Homeschool is for you. Being invested in your child’s education is a key component of homeschooling. If you’re concerned with what your child is or isn’t learning, then you’re going to appreciate the ability to tailor your child’s education to things that are important to your family. If you love snuggling up with a book or teaching your children new skills, then you’re on the right track.
Is someone able to stay home with your child?
This might seem like a no-brainer, but logistics matter. If you’re working from home or you’re staying at home, you’ve got a leg-up. If you’re not available but you have a willing caregiver to help with school work, then that could work, too. Homeschool does not take as long as a traditional school, so even a few hours per day will get the job done. If you can get over the logistical hurdle, then homeschool is for you.
Can you follow directions?
Many parents who homeschool do not have education degrees or fancy backgrounds in teaching. If you’ve got a high school diploma, you can (at least here in Ohio) homeschool your children.
What does this have to do with following directions? Well, buying a curriculum and following the parent directions is important, especially for parents who are unsure of themselves and just starting out. If you are able to read and follow written instructions, then homeschool is for you.!
Do you like being at home with your kids?
This might seem like an awful thing to ask, but hear me out: not everyone loves being with her kids all day, AND THAT IS OKAY. That doesn’t make her a bad parent. It just means that she is happier with a career or with some time outside of the house.
Homeschool parents are typically with their children for a lot more hours of the day than their traditional school friends. If you find yourself ready for them to go back to school after a weekend or can’t wait to drop them off with grandma and grandpa every morning, then homeschool might not be for you.
Are you excited to learn?
An enthusiasm for learning is contagious. If you’re excited, your kids will be, too! If you aren’t excited about learning or enjoy reading to your children, then homeschool may be something you won’t enjoy. If you love learning and get excited about teaching your children how to do new things, then you will L O V E homeschool! Homeschool is for you!
The Bottom Line
Homeschool can work for just about any family if they get a little creative. There are a T O N of resources and curriculums (at every price point) to choose from that can be tailored to meet the needs of your family. Your school day will be shorter than a traditional school day (think done by lunch for elementary and jr. high students), and you will have more time to pursue other interests. Oh, and the evening homework battle is a thing of the past!
Your children won’t be distracted by phones and masks if they’re working on their lessons in the family room. Your kids will work at their own pace and they won’t have to compete with 30 other students for help when they need it. You’ll be right there to offer one-on-one instruction when they need it.
And we all know how important it is to have a small class size, right?
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