Getting Started in Homeschooling: Deciding to Go for It
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Are you thinking about homeschooling? Wondering if it’s the right thing for your family? Here are some thoughts to help you decide if you should go for it.
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Years ago, 2011 to be exact, Kelley wrote in, asking about homeschooling and how to get started. I thought it might be good to answer her letter here as there may be others with the same questions. In fact, I know there are, because on this survey, that was a recurring theme.
“More homeschooling posts!” shouted the people.
Today in 2016, it seems like it’s a good time to update this post and make sure all my advice is current.
Here’s Kelley’s letter from five years ago:
Dear Jessica,
I am strongly considering home schooling my five year old this fall. He is my oldest, and I am very confused about where to start. I have visited the Simple Homeschool site frequently but it seems that will be a priceless resource once I have my home school more established. I am wondering where to start??
Are there certain posts to read? Books? I realize each person’s approach is different. I am looking for the basics. Things to look at, things to consider and how to get started. If I, in fact, embark on this venture, I want to try my best to be as prepared as possible.
Many Thanks,
Kelley
You ask some great questions! While May and June are the months when school is slowing down, the mind of a homeschool mom is gearing up. Though we are tying up loose ends in our current academic year, we’re also turning our thoughts toward next year, planning and purchasing curriculum. My sister is already endlessly texting me about curriculum to borrow or buy for next year.
Getting Started in Homeschooling: Deciding to Go for It
It’s also the time for beginners to decide if they’re going to take plunge, if they haven’t already.
Rather than try to reply to all your questions at one time, my “answer” will be provided in a series of posts over the coming months. And it will be an interactive series as I hope other homeschooling families will chime in. It is not meant to be a debate over what style of education is better. [So, folks, save your breath.]
Instead, we’re talking about how to make decisions, questions to ask yourself, where to go for advice, and the like.
Should you go for it?
My husband and I first considered homeschooling long before we had our first child. The story of how that philosophy developed is a detailed one. The short story is that we felt compelled to be as hands-on as possible with our children’s education. You can read the full treatise on why we homeschool here.
There are obviously a number of ways ways to go about this. Many families choose public school; others choose private. And they are able to be involved in their kids’ lives.
We’ve taken a different approach and have chosen to educate our children at home. I am not one of those people who say that other options are void. I haven’t found it in the Bible where it says that.
We’ve simply found it to be the best choice for our family. We’ve graduated one child from our homeschool, have two in high school, one in middle school, and two in grammar school. Years ago we explored other options for our first high schooler, and opted to stick with the original plan.
I can’t tell you whether YOU should homeschool or not. You need to determine what’s best for your family.
However, I can say that homeschooling has proven to be one of the richest experiences of my life as a mom. I have had the opportunity to know my children in a way that I don’t think would be possible if we had chosen a different style of education. We’ve enjoyed books, field trips, science experiments, and other adventures together, learning about the world all along the way. I am blessed beyond measure from having had this experience.
But, you and your husband have to make the decision for you.
Some things to ask yourself:
Do you enjoy being with your kids?
I’ve never considered this to be a sacrifice. I enjoy being with my kids and frankly, can’t imagine being away from them all day long. Though there are some very, very rough days, those days push me and challenge me to tackle the obstacles.
I’m not with them 24/7. We all get breaks from one another, but we enjoy spending our days together.
Do you enjoy reading and learning?
I have a Master’s degree in Education. But, I’m continue to learn everyday with my kids — even after 15 years of homeschooling. I had no clue that there were so many gaps in my education, but there were. Slowly I’m filling them up alongside my children.
Are you a good enough teacher?
Simple Homeschool tackled this question awhile ago. Jamie’s answer is better than mine would be. (And I think if you dig around the archives over there, you’ll find a wealth of information for beginners, including this great series, Should I Homeschool or Not?)
Are you okay with raised eyebrows and potential criticism from others?
Despite what your brother-in-law’s cousin’s neighbor may say, homeschooling is not a fringe movement. In fact, the appeal of home education is reaching the mainstream, crossing lines of religion and politics. There are homeschoolers of every color, creed, and political party.
Still there will be critics no matter where you go. And you need to be okay with that. Homeschooling is legal in all 50 states, thanks to the hard work of others who’ve fought to secure those rights. It is a legal, viable option — and nothing to be timid about.
These questions are certainly not exhaustive. I’m sure there’s something that I’m missing. But, they’re good food for thought as you explore the wonderful world of homeschooling.
Homeschooling parents, how did you know homeschooling was right for your family?
Next time: choosing an educational philosophy.
This post was originally published May 11, 2011.
I have a different angle. I have two high school daughters who are getting all F’s on their report cards. I do NOT want to homeschool but I don’t see any alternative. The counselors and case workers are not helping my girls. They are being repeatedly humiliated by teachers and fellow class members for not being able to “keep up” with everyone else. One of my daughters has become violent and the other suicidal. I want them out of the public school system and on a curriculum that matches their potential. I need that to be very cheap. The reason they go to public school is we’re poor. No breaks for this family. What do I do?
I’m so sorry to hear this. There are lots of great teachers and administrators out there, but there are also those that aren’t. Try this site: http://howtohomeschoolforfree.com/ I think you could get some great tips and good starting point.
It turns out only one of my daughters is getting all F’s (the youngest). The other managed to get a few C’s (the oldest). The oldest wishes to continue with public school. The youngest has the hardest time. She has aspergers. That does not appear as anything outwardly. It’s like having down’s syndrome with no slanted eyes or speech impediments. It’s not an official mental illness because it is different in each person who has it. Her teachers keep writing her up saying, “Does not pay attention.” I keep telling them she has aspergers. Talk about not paying attention. It’s like I said nothing to her teachers at all; like they cannot hear me.
THIS QUESTION IS MOST IMPORTANT. Do not give me a link. I need a straight answer. I plan to high school curriculum home school my daughter. What do I have to do to pull a 13 year old child out of high school and not get into legal trouble???
I can’t help you with that without referring you to the Homeschool Legal Defense Association. Their phone number is (540) 338-5600, if you don’t want a link. I am not an attorney, nor am I versed in the laws of your state, so I cannot possibly answer that. Every state and even some counties have different policies on withdrawal. That is not my area of expertise. I can only suggest you call them and ask for their advice.
We began homeschooling (with an online school) our 6th grade son this past January as the middle school he was attending was not safe for him, physically and even more so emotionally. Up until then I had vowed I would never homeschool (never say never! LOL) b/c I didn’t think I could handle it all day long. There have been days where I have needed more dark chocolate than others to make it through but all in all I feel so much better knowing he is safe and happy and excited about learning.
He attended K-5 at our wonderful local elementary where my daughter currently attends K. My advice is that if you try one way (homeschool, public or private) and it’s not working, you can always change. I think I viewed it as making a forever decision when they entered K and that it was something that couldn’t be changed. I view it as something much more flexible now. I don’t know that I could have mentally managed it when he was younger but we are really enjoying each other now that he is older. I am also realizing how much I didn’t know and am enjoying learning things I somehow missed or had forgotten since being out of school!
I’ve gotten a few looks and even some comments from others but compared to how upset and stressed he was while at middle school and how he is now, I know we made the right decision. One other mother in particular actually told me that she was worried the stress of it would cause my husband and I to get divorced! If my husband and I disagree on anything now, we end up laughing and saying “Must be the homeschool!” LOL
I am so excited for this series! Our kids are currently enrolled in private school and we are happy with that option, I however have a feeling that at some point in our future this may become our choice. I haven’t jumped in yet because I adore our private school, and my oldest is really hard to teach, we struggle with homework and I can’t imagine having to do it all. There are days that I think the consistency of just me might be a better match for him though. So I’m still on the fence.
I actually wrote the series last year. So you can read all about it now! Here’s the link to the entire series: http://lifeasmom.com/features/getting-started-in-homeschooling
My son is currently in public school this year(Kindergarten)I have always wanted to HS but because I was expecting a new baby that year I thought it best for everyone for him to just go to public school for atleast a few years.While he has done well with learning I have found that there is a lot going on in Kindergarten that I didnt realize I would have to contend with until a much older age.They are exposed to fowl language,sex talk bullies and all kinds of things from their peers.I want my child to remain a child without all the adult knowledge.I dont want his innocent mind being corrupt because other parents allow their kids to be exposed to things that would allow them to have this knowledge.I made my mind up to homeschool next year when my son came home telling me a girl in his class likes showing her private parts.This really pushed me over the edge.My husband is also a truck driver and is not home much,so when he is it would be nice if my son wasnt at school for the majority of the time he is home.I believe HS will also benefit in this area as well.Just seems like the right choice for our family all around.I am concerned about the social aspect but hope to find a HS group in my area and keep some other children in his life.We are really excited and looking forward to what will be a challenging but fun year.
Wow! Sounds like a doozy of a kindergarten year. Happy trails next year! You’ll do great!
yes is has.Thanks a bunch
We are in the process of praying and making a decision to homeschool our 5 and 7 year old boys. I have wanted to do it for a long time, and with some changes our district has made, now feels like the right time to consider it. I feel qualified to teach, I don’t care what others think, BUT I am most concerned about the general lack of alone time/having to be with the kids all the time. Can you provide some input on how to schedule in ‘mommy time’ or playdates or something along those lines please?
I think that really depends on your husband and how in tune he is with your needs. Sometime after the first few years, we made an arrangement for me to take a day off each week and go do whatever I wanted. This really helped me feel like I had my space. Every family is different, though.
We start this Fall with my son in K, daughter in preschool with us, and baby tagging along. Why?
-I cannot imagine sending my son to someone else all day after all the teaching we have done (life) for the last 5 years, and have him give the best of his day to someone else. I would miss him so, and miss out on so much too!
– My son is sensitive and I am concerned about what public schools have to offer in terms of “socialization” at this age.
– I was a teacher before I had kids, why not teach my own kids?
– Our public school option was not performing well academically (although they are making some great improvements and the principal is great).
0 My husband REALLY wanted me to homeschool.
Thank-you so much for writing this series. A long time ago I thought homeschooling would be for me, but I had to work for financial reasons. I was recently laid off from my job, so my husband and I switched the stay at home parent roles (he’s been home for almost 8 years).
Since my older son, now 12, is in a very specific special education program, our public school is the right choice for him. My younger son will be in 3rd grade next year and also receives special ed services, though on a smaller scale.
I have recently realized that I don’t like the direction in which the grade school specialized program is heading. We have decided to homeschool our younger son next year. He needs the individual attention to “catch up” to a 3rd grade curriculum, and he is not receiving that through the current program in the public school. I am excited by the opportunity but terrified. What if I mess up? What if he does worse with me than he would in the school? I’m choosing to believe that this would not be an option for me if it wasn’t meant to be. At least I hope so.
Again, thank-you for all of your encouragement on a daily basis. You may not know that anyone is thriving from it, but I am.
Suzanne
yay! love this series! So excited! Thank you!!!!!!!!!!! (sorry for all the exclamation points!)
It is important to think about whether or not you want to spend time with your kids but, coming from experience, even if you are scared about it or don’t think you can handle all of that togetherness, you can. It is strange at first but we have been at this all of this school year and I can’t imagine not doing it now. I have a 7 year old son and I was very nervous since I am a major loner. We find ways to have alone time though and I wouldn’t have it any other way. GO FOR IT! 🙂
I will definitely be following these homeschooling posts. It is something I have been thinking about doing for 13 years (since my first was born), and someone is always talking me out of it. Usually my mother. I am only recently starting to stand up for myself and make the changes in my life that I feel are necessary. This may be one of those changes. I am not happy about some of the things that I have heard that go on in the public school system. Frankly, it scares me to death. And while I don’t want to “shelter” my children, I do want to have more control over what they are exposed to. Ok, maybe I do want to shelter them.. Just a little 😉