Considering Homeschooling? Consider These Things!
Homeschooling is a tough job! It’s very rewarding and has many benefits, but it’s just not an easy thing to do. I’ve been thinking lately about what makes some families successful at it while others give up or think it’s just “not for them.” While my list is absolutely not comprehensive, here are a few things that I’ve found to be particularly helpful to me personally as I homeschool my children. (These are not in any particular order. I think all of these things are very important.)
Support from my husband.
Curriculum that fits my children’s learning styles and my teaching style.
The knowledge that it is God’s plan for my family to homeschool.
Flexibility!
I think it is very important to have the support of your husband. If your husband does not support you in homeschooling the children, it will create so much stress and conflict that your homeschool probably won’t be effective or enjoyable. If your husband agrees to let you give it a try even though he doesn’t wholeheartedly agree with the idea, that’s ok. Go ahead and give it a try! He’ll probably become a supporter. However, if he is absolutely against the idea, I believe it’s better not to homeschool. I would definitely pray that, if it’s God’s will for you to homeschool, He would change your husband’s heart about it. In the mean time, though, I would suggest waiting to homeschool until you have his support or at least his “ok” to give it a try.
One of my very favorite things about homeschooling is that I can choose curriculum based on my children’s learning styles and my teaching style. If you are just starting out, it may take you a year or two (or three!) to find the curriculum that you and your children like best. It took me at least 3 years when I first began homeschooling 15 years ago to find companies that I particularly liked for each subject. I still change curriculum every now and then. I don’t think it’s a good idea to change curriculum every year for 10 years, but now and then it’s ok.
To me, the most important reason to homeschool is because I honestly believe it’s God’s plan for my family. There are secular families who choose to homeschool, and I certainly believe they should homeschool if that’s what they want to do. Personally, though, I feel like it’s necessary that homeschooling be in God’s will for my family or I don’t believe it will be successful. If God has a different plan for my family, then I want to follow His will!
One of the things that I’ve learned during my years of homeschooling is that we need to be willing to be flexible if we want to avoid being frustrated as we homeschool! This was the biggest surprise to me during my first few years of homeschooling. I really had not considered that homeschooling would necessitate flexibility on my part. For that reason, I learned the hard way! There will be interruptions to your schedule. Things will come up that you hadn’t planned on. You must learn to go with it, do the best you can, and not stress out over it. In fact, I’ve come to believe that we are actually doing our children a great service when we show them that it’s ok to change your schedule–especially when it’s because someone needs our help. We must also set a good example by making sure the missed work gets done as soon as possible too. We don’t want our children to learn that getting interrupted is an excuse for not getting their work done.
There are, of course, many other factors related to the success of your homeschool. These 4 things have proven very important in my own life as a homeschooling mom, and I think they are factors that should be considered by anyone who is considering homeschooling.
What about you? Were you surprised by any particular factor when you began homeschooling? Do you have anything that you would put on your own list of important things to be considered when a family is deciding whether or not to homeschool? We would love to hear from you and read your thoughts and ideas!
Good list, Wendy! I agree all of those things are necessary. I’m also finding that HELP is something I would add to my list… Especially once there is more than child to teach at once (or younger ones that need some Mom-attention, too). So finding others to assist with schooling occasionally, whether older siblings helping younger ones, grandparents taking the younger children for awhile, or outside classes for my children to take, or even my husband taking over for small amounts of time, are all very helpful! Plus, it’s probably good for my children to hear a voice other than mine once in awhile. 🙂
Yes, Amy, that’s definitely a good one to add! Although it is possible to homeschool without extra help, it sure does make a wonderful difference if help is available–even on an occasional basis. I’m glad you pointed that out. 🙂
Thank you for this info and perspective. I have not started homeschooling yet as my 3 kiddos are finishing up their last (2 weeks)year in public school. I believe all of these are very helpful…for me anyways and especially FAMILY SUPPORT as well. I know that this decision is only by the individual family but I also believe it would be a great thing if your family (siblings “aunts & uncles”, parents “grandparents”, etc) supported you & your spouse as well. Too much criticism from an non-homeschooler makes things harder. It makes you feel confident enough that you can teach your children. But I believe this is what God has in store for my family. God’s will is good and perfect. He knows us best! I am overwhelmed…but I have a very loving & supportive husband who will be there right with me!
Jerri, I’m so glad to know that your husband supports you in homeschooling your children! Yes, it is wonderful to have the support of other family members and friends when you homeschool! Are your children in favor of homeschooling too? In a case where the kids attended school and are transitioning to homeschooling, it makes a difference whether the kids are in favor of it. I believe the ultimate decision should belong to the parents, but it is wise to consider the children’s attitudes toward homeschooling too. I’m also glad you are visiting homeschool-related sites like ours ahead of time while you prepare to homeschool in the fall. Please come to our site and post questions and let us know if we can help you.
I think your child’s learning style is important to think about, like you said. It’s something you should think about no matter what choice your school is. My daughter has a hard time sitting still and likes hands on learning. I can’t imagine her being able to learn very well in a classroom full of kids and for such a long day. Our shorter school days are so beneficial.
Paula, two of my children also have trouble being still and need to take frequent breaks or do lots of hands-on activities. Homeschooling works so well for kids like ours, and I’m so blessed to be able to homeschool! Thanks for your comment!
Thanks Wendy. My kids are excited to know I will be their educator. They have already bragged to their teachers all year that “mommy will be my teacher next year”. So far we are in good shape. I wil continue to search sites & blogs like these so I can get the tips & encouragement that I need…I am certain I will need it 🙂 Thanks ladies.
Jerri, I’m so glad to know that they are excited about homeschooling! That will make it so much easier on all of you. And having plenty of time to prepare will hopefully give you confidence in what you are doing. Enjoy your summer, and I hope you have a wonderful homeschool year too!
Hi there! I just ran across this site from a friends link. Jenni, we are in the initial stages of preparing to homeschool starting in August! We are very excited! We have only one girl, age 11. Is this website nationwide or statewide? Wasn’t sure. I enjoy reading any and all comments about homeschooling, every bit has been very helpful! I am too overwhelmed but are soon able to filter through and sort things to customize everything. I am so amazed at all the support and resources available, it is incredible!