You Can Homeschool
Are you concerned that you aren’t equipped to homeschool? Don’t let that stop you! Regardless of your situation, you can homeschool!
As you visit with a friend at the park, your conversation turns to homeschooling. She, like you, is in the thick of motherhood with a baby and a toddler. Yet, she has a 4 and a 6 year old. You admire her ability to juggle it all and still manage a friendship. But of course she can; she’s amazing. She and her husband not only have a beautiful home setting but she was homeschooled herself. Part of you wishes you could homeschool too but you just know that isn’t realistic. There are so many things about her and her situation that makes homeschooling possible.
You have been friends a while so she can speak to pretty directly. And this afternoon, she does. In just under 30 minutes, she opens your perspective and you start to see there may be more possibilities than you have thought all this time.
You Can Homeschool
Regardless of your education or your current circumstances, you CAN homeschool your child.
I have heard many limits through the years and I can tell you right now that although many things can make life more difficult, none has to be what stops you from educating your child at home.
There are numerous families who have successfully homeschooled in all sorts of situations.
Think your situation might be unique? Do you feel like maybe it works for most people but they don’t as unique a situation as you. Maybe. But, maybe not.
6 things that don’t determine whether you are allowed to homeschool
Occupation
“I would homeschool but my job isn’t good enough.”
There are many families who homeschool from all types of jobs, all across the board. You can be a doctor or a janitor. You can be in full-time missionary work across the world. What you do for a living does not matter if you are wanting to homeschool your children.
Keep in mind, jobs can change. Children are forever. You cannot ever have this time back from them again. Ever.
Financial Situation
Can’t afford to homeschool? Think again.
You can homeschool regardless of what your finances say. You don’t need very much money to homeschool, or any at all if you are creative and desperate!
I understand having the desire to buy all new curriculum each year and I understand the want to make a super-cute school room.
I have heard so many times, “I would homeschool if we could afford it.” If you want a certain lifestyle just be honest about it. Please don’t blame it on homeschooling. Finances likely aren’t stopping you.
Check out my post for a few easy suggestions to Homeschool for Free.
Work Hours
“Well, that’s great and all but I can’t homechool. I work full-time.”
There are parents who work full-time while homeschooling their children. Even both parents.
Marital Status
Single parent homeschoolers are a thing. Not having a spouse for whatever reason does not automatically make your child sentenced to government school (or private school!).
If your former spouse and the courts have required that your child go to government school, there is still always hope. Find a trusted mentor who will meet or call you regularly to pray. You’d be amazed at what God can do when we are faithful to bring our concerns to Him.
In the meantime, you may consider complimentary educaton, with a similar schedule as some working parents have who school their child in the evenings and weekends. Keeping in mind the child’s ability and workload, you can make it a fun study time to beef up their knowledge base. There are non-homeschoolers who do this similarly by hiring a tutor to help with studying during afterschool hours.
For that matter, grandparents, neighbors and friends can homeschool too.
Regardless, marital status does not have final say in this equation. If you don’t have a single parent homeschool support group in your area, consider creating one.
Location
Your home size, your neighborhood, your state, none of this matters when it comes to homeschooling. You can make any of these situations work.
Homeschooling is legal in all 50 states. Learn more about your state and one you are considering by going to Homeschool Legal Defense Association.
People homeschool in studio apartments and all across the world as missionaries. People homeschool in all sorts of interesting locations including RVs that travel regularly.
Need inspiration? Look up road schooling and world schooling.
Education Level
“I would homeschool but I didn’t go to college.”
I don’t care what you missed out on learning. Okay. So, that’s not true entirely. I care. But our past does not get to dictate our children’s future (or our future for that matter!).
Think about the words of Jesus:
Truly, truly I say to you, the one who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I am going to the Father.
John 14:12
The same goes for a subject you feel you were bad at or poorly trained in.
New generation. No more negative limits.
Health Status
I am not trying to downplay your painful and difficult situation. I am not mocking your child’s or your special needs.
Please know that I don’t say any of this coming from an easy life.
I know there are chronic, debilitating illnesses. I know there are years of pain.
I know there are real disabilities, devastating diagnoses and sometimes years of bed rest.
I won’t say that I have been in your situation but I will tell you that if what you are facing feels horrible and impossible but you still have the desire to homeschool your children, you totally can do it.
What are you waiting for?
Homeschooling does not require a fancy set of skills or training. It does not require a lot of money (or any for that matter). It does not require a designated schoolroom. Your picture of homeschooling does not have to look a certain way. Homeschool is personal and so much more flexible than you might have thought.
