Should You Consider Homeschooling?

Should you consider homeschooling?  I think you should. With the current state of education in this country, we are really heading for disaster.  Not only is funding continuously being cut by corrupt officials that prefer to line their pockets, but bullying and suicide from bullying have also increased, students are in more physical danger than before, and students in the United States continue to underperform in comparison to other nations.  Have you heard about the recent bill suggesting that the grading system be lowered? How insane is that?  Instead of correcting the issues that plague public schooling, officials have dropped the grading scale.  No wonder so many families are turning to homeschool.

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Homeschooling is a great choice for many.  It provides parents with the opportunity to instill values, los valores, in their children while providing children with an education that nourishes their soul and prepares them for the world that awaits them.  And, when you have children with special needs, homeschooling allows you to more precisely focus on their needs.   To read my reasons for wanting to begin homeschooling, check out my previous post “Why I Choose to Homeschool My Children”.    Now that you know more, you might not think homeschooling is such a piece of cake. And it’s true.  Homeschooling is not the easiest thing in the world, but it is one of the most fulfilling things that you can do for your children.  And, I wouldn’t change it for the world.  If you are going to get started, you need the right advice.  And, I hope that this article will provide you with that.

Consideration

Come up with a list of good things and the bad things about public and home schools. This would be one of my first recommendations.  Take some time and weigh out the pros and cons.  With the pros of homeschooling outweigh what you may feel are the cons, then proceed.  Plan out the way you would like your homeschool program to function with your children being at the center.  Allow the list to be a guide to making a lesson plan that provides your children with what they did not get it public school. It is a checklist of sorts to keep you on track with your teaching philosophy. Allow it to be a reminder of your “why”. This information should be kept handy for times when you need a quick solution.

Making it Work

Homeschooling is not easy.  It is definitely demanding.  However, it is also rewarding.  Homeschooling with one child is not as difficult as it is when you are homeschooling multiples.   Sure there are some hills and turns as you find the right curriculum, schedule field trips and play dates, and execute plans (If you need help with that, let me know). Then, there are meals (sigh). When you are managing multiple levels, multiple schedules, and multiple personalities, that’s where the challenge really begins.  You need to have time in the day for each child. And you also need a moment to yourself.  Homeschooling when you have a baby is exceptionally hard, especially when you’re splitting that time with another’s child’s homeschooling needs. But, you can find a balance. Find activities that both like, adjust curriculum for different abilities, and create an environment where each child can be engaged. Make sure each child’s needs are met by regularly checking for understanding. You may find some opportunities, such as at mealtime, when they can bond and learn together, each at his or her own stage. One of my favorite activities to do is to have the children come up with mini-lessons that they can teach each other. They always feel proud and accomplished when they’re seen as experts and can teach something to someone else, even if it’s a sibling.

If you have preschoolers in addition to older kids, make certain to spend individualized time with each. Set up a designated, safe area in which your younger children can play with toys, do crafts or relax without being disruptive. I absolutely love activity bins.  Bins make it easy to distribute lessons, especially work that will do each day.  Plus, there no limit to what kind of activity you can create.  Grab a dollar bin and fill it up with whatever you’d like.  Allow older children to teach some of the younger kids. This gives your old kids confidence and pride, and it helps the little ones learn from someone they can trust.

Socialization

Let me start by saying that children are naturally socialized when they interact with their parents and families from birth.  However, you can improve their socialization, empathy, and compassion by providing opportunities to interact with others outside of their family unit.   Go out with friends and neighbors to keep your child social. Bring the class to the park then let them play as well. As you come across other children and their families, allow them to be a part of the lesson as well.  Encourage them to join clubs, teams, and other groups.  Perhaps you want to avoid bad friendships, but you can’t avoid all socializing. My rule of thumb is to always check the people who my children are interacting with.  I watch out for bullying, fear, and other issues, not just for my children but others as well.

You need to find a way for your child to socialize. Since he will not be around children in a classroom, you may have to get creative. Field trips, organized with other homeschool parents, are a great social activity. Team sports are perfect for keeping homes-schooled students healthy, happy and connected with peers. Scouts is also another great option.

Costs

You need to think creatively as far as the homeschooling experience. You can count on spending hundreds or even a few thousand dollars on the required learning materials, but there are some ways in which a DIY approach can save you money. I prefer a shoestring budget myself, but I’ve definitely invested a lot over time.  Something that helps to chip away the costs is by using Swagbucks (you take surveys and watch videos in exchange for gift cards). Flash cards are easy to make out of laminate sheets and index cards. Get your children to help you to make the resources that you need, as they could end up having a lot of fun. I also like to hang around school buildings at the end of the school year for any possible interesting materials that they may be tossing out that may be useful to us.  Library sales, back to school blowouts, and dent/scratch sales are also a favorite of mine.

Classes

While the basics are important (reading, writing, and arithmetic), do not forget to teach ‘elective’ subjects like art. Have your kids do an art project about each thing you learn about. They can be creative with sculpture, acting or singing, they are limited only by their imagination. They also create portfolios.  The more active your children are while they are learning, the more that total immersion will help the lesson to stick in their minds.  Other creative classes can dance or theatre.  Additionally, what about cooking classes, robotics, and finance?  How about languages?  Make sure to plan out teaching a variety of subjects so that your children are well-rounded individuals prepared for the world.

With all of this information you have, you should be ready to dive into homeschooling. This ensures that your children are getting the best education possible. In the end, they’ll take what they’ve learned with them for a lifetime, and great success should lay before them in the future.

Hasta Pronto!


Please feel free to share your comments or suggestions! I would love to hear from you. If you enjoy reading my blog, make sure to sign up so that you can always be alerted for new posts, tips, and recipes. You can also find me at Wombology (A Safe Place for Women to Heal) and Being Mama Dot (Chronicles of a Homeschool Mom).

If you are a homeschool mom needing some new ideas and encouragement or if you are completely new to homeschooling and you are looking for ways to get started, click here to apply for a Strategy and Brainstorming Session with ME!  Let’s work together to get you to where you want to be!

Mama Dot

Hi! I’m Kat aka Mama Dot! Nice to meet you. I’m a homeschooling mom of three boys.  By day, I run a mom’s blog (Being Mama Dot) and subscription service (Wombology). In my downtime,  I create resources for families homeschooling children of color at Our Learning Curve. I love coffee, reggaeton (music in Spanish), knitting, and reading.  My favorite thing to do is to feel my feet in the sand. #beachbum. Currently, I am an MA/Ph.D. student in Africana and Latin American studies.  When I am not in school,  I spend my days running my online business and taking care of my little ones. Make sure to check out OLC’s Instagram, Twitter, or join us over at Facebook.