So You Think You Want to Homeschool
When my children were just four and two, my husband and I first kicked around the idea of homeschooling. We had no idea what it was (other than an alternative to sending them to public school), but we had the internet. So we started surfing.
My sons are now ten and eight, and we’ve added another bright boy just last year. I’m still figuring out what homeschooling is (other than just educating my children at home). There are days when it’s structured like formal education. There are days when it’s free and more life skills. I do know that our hodgepodge life is working – for me, the boys, and for our educations.
What have I learned about homeschooling? Enough to fill a truck load of books, or at least it feels like that most days. Here are some of the top “aha” moments that I have experienced so far.
1. Homeschooling is more than just school at home. It is an adventure for the whole family. It grows relationships between parent’s and children, helps parent’s be an active part of the formulating years of the child’s life, and brings patience and understanding to a whole new level.
2. Homeschooling does not take nearly as much time as institutionalized education. Kids don’t have to spend time walking from class to class. Teachers don’t have to spend time calling roll and doing other red tap activities. And there is no time taken from the kids or parents for traveling to and from school.
At the early education years, school (the paper work kind) won’t take more than one to two hours. Even when you get into the high school year, you are probably still looking at only 3 to 4 hours. This means that any parent, single or working or whatever the situation, can still find the time to homeschool their children.
3. Homeschooling does not isolate the children from the world. We’ve experience all types of people (the good, the bad, and the ugly) when we are in large groups. The boys have been picked on, and done their share of picking. The difference is that I’m involved with the activities and can teach my boys how to handle the situation in a better way.
4. Homeschooling does not cause socialization problems. It encourages good socialization skills because it is moderated by people who want to grow good, positive, motivated people. According to one site on the internet, socialization is the conformity to beliefs, norms, values, and behaviors. I don’t know many parents who want their children formed by the beliefs, norms, values, and behaviors of other 8 year olds.
5. Homeschooling has innumerable opportunities for socializing. Because most of the day is not taken up in the class room, children have more time to run and play. There are field trips, play days, study groups, cooperative classes, park days, PE days, skate days, bowling days, and on and on and on. Homeschoolers in most areas have the opportunity of doing something social at least once every day of the week.
6. Homeschooling is great for any parent willing to spend some time working with their children. I had a friend tell me that the reason she started homeschooling was that the homework her son was bringing home each night was taking 3 hours anyway. Now, they spend those three hours in the morning and have the rest of the day for adventure.
7. Homeschooling does not take special skills or education. With the popularity of homeschooling continuing to rise, publishers are paying attention. There is an unlimited amount of curriculum on the market today – from internet courses to traditional textbooks. There are even a lot of free opportunities, so the cost doesn’t have to break the checkbooks.
8. Homeschooling does not take a patient, understanding mom (or dad). Being with your children ALL the time teaches the patience and understanding that you need.
The number one thing I have come to understand about homeschooling is that you can never start too early. As soon as the thought hits you, begin testing the waters. Look online for other homeschoolers, meet with them, and learn from them. Borrow texts and curriculum and try them out. You may be surprised to find that homeschooling isn’t just great for your kids, but it’s just as exciting for you.