If you're like me, you've probably found yourself trying to decide if homeschooling is the right choice for you and your child. As a mom who has been down this road with my children, I want to share some friendly insights to help you not become overwhelmed and make an informed decision.
1. Know Your Why: First, ask yourself why you are considering homeschooling. Is it a desire for a more flexible schedule, personalized learning, more time with your children as a family, or addressing specific educational needs? By understanding your motivations and desires it will help guide your decision-making process. Reflect on what you hope to achieve with homeschooling and how it aligns with your family values.
2. Consider Your Child's Learning Style: Every child is unique and so is their learning style. When I first started this process I knew my oldest daughter had a hard time sitting still and rather be dancing, my other daughter was diagnosed with dyslexia and needed more one-on-one help, and my youngest wanted to be with me all the time. Homeschooling was just a natural and easy decision for my family based on my children's learning styles alone. Don't dismiss how your child learns the best. Observe where they thrive. Is it a more structured environment, maybe it is more hands-on and visual learning, or do they want to dance through their lessons? Homeschooling allows you to tailor the curriculum to your child's individual needs and interests, fostering a love for learning.
3. Assess Your Commitment: Homeschooling requires time, dedication, and patience. Homeschooling isn't anything you don't already do as a parent, homeschooling just allows you to build upon those three parental skills you apply every day to your family. Let's talk about time. Time can be many things. If you want to truly be the only teacher and mentor then taking the time to create and execute curriculums, and lesson plans, also be consistent in your presence in their learning journey can be time-consuming and demanding but also very rewarding. If you are open and willing to work with others you won't need to set aside as much time as if you are the sole provider of their education. Many online platforms offer live classrooms with a teacher and students, that follow a full-year curriculum. Other online platforms offer prerecorded lessons with curriculums and work that you correct and grade. Even still, some online platforms offer build-your-own curriculums that you can email to a teacher who corrects the work and offers feedback. You could also try a hybrid of all of these choices. We as a family have tried many. We ultimately decided on live online platform learning and I oversee homework, and projects, and help them be prepared for their week ahead and any supplies they need to have.
4. Research and Connect: Explore the homeschooling community in your area and online. To find such communities turn to Google, Facebook groups, and other social media platforms to reach out and connect. When you connect with other homeschooling parents it can provide valuable support and insight. Join those Facebook groups, and forums and engage in conversations with other parents who have walked the walk. Don't be shy. Ask questions, get involved, and pick up tips and tricks along the way. I joined a Facebook group that was linked to our online platform classes and it was really helpful when I needed more individualized subjects for my children and what they wanted to focus on more.
5. Legalities and Requirements: This is definitely not the most fun part but besides your child's education it is the next most important step. Familiarize yourself with the homeschooling laws and requirements in your region. Each location has different regulations, so you need to comply with any necessary documentation or reporting. This sounds scary but it isn't a scary process. All necessary information can be found online on your local school district's pages. Again those Facebook groups can be really helpful with this portion and if it's a local group, even better. When you understand these aspects it will help you feel confident and informed.
6. Test the Waters: If you are still unsure if homeschooling is the right fit for you consider starting a trial period. Summer can be an excellent time to do this. Having the time to try summer lessons and make them fun can help you assess how both you and your child can adapt to the new learning environment. It's okay to take it one step at a time and make adjustments. If you don't think your child will want to do "school work" in the fun, sun-loving months of summer, then try a trial run during winter or spring break. Remember flexibility is one of the beautiful aspects of homeschooling, and if one thing doesn't fit or causes a headache, you can move away from it, and try a new and interesting way to learn.
7. Embrace Flexibility: Homeschooling is not traditional schooling. Homeschooling offers flexibility allowing you to tailor learning experiences to your child's needs and your family's lifestyle. Being traditionally schooled it was hard as a parent to let go of 6-hour learning days, long periods of sitting and working, and thinking of "school" as I was brought up in. Once I allowed myself to let that all go and "school" our way, it was a whole new world. My children flourished and grew in their own, and are the happiest I have ever seen them. Embrace this flexibility and be open to adjusting your approach as you discover what works best for your unique situation. It's not about perfection; it's about creating an environment where your child thrives, has fun, and builds a curiosity for learning. 1-3 hours a day is all they need to do this.
Remember, homeschooling is a personal decision, and what works for one family may not work for another. Trust your instincts, stay open-minded, and cherish the moments spent together learning and growing together. You may get a lot of pushback from people who don't believe in homeschooling, spending so much time with your children, or thinking your children may not be socialized properly. This is your family's path, and your children's future, don't let others who have no experience or supporting arguments sway you from making the decision you think is best for your family. So whether you choose homeschooling or another educational path, the key is to create an environment where your child feels safe, supported, inspired, and loved.
I wish you all the best on your homeschooling adventures, and if you choose to homeschool it will be amazing and so fulfilling.
Warmly,
Sasha