During these crazy times, are you asking the question: Should I homeschool?

Pros and cons once considered, are now shifting during this every changing pandemic. Deciding if a child should wear a mask 7 hours a day, was NEVER a pro to homeschooling. Thus, it is time to rethink all options and prayerfully consider what is BEST for YOUR child.

This is not to sway you one way or another.

YOU get to decide what is best for YOUR family! My desire is to intentionally coach you through your educational opportunities.

 After homeschooling over 15 years, multiple ages, stages and abilities, I have learned a lot. Our oldest three have graduated and did extremely well in college. (THAT is NOT my doing but theirs to own.) I also have been formally trained as a K-8 Educator with a Master’s degree. I see value on both sides.

 If we could sit face to face, these are the 5 questions I would ask…

1) Can you do a better or equal job?

            Public schools have been a great option for many families, for many years. Schools had resources that out matched what could be duplicated at home. However, times are changing. When you think about your child sitting behind a mask or behind a computer through zoom, is that the best learning environment? All the things that once made schools so appealing are being altered and driven by “keeping safe.” Write out all the pros of traditional school verses home learning. Next write out the negatives. How do they compare? Can you provide a better atmosphere?

2)  Can you commit to around 3 hours daily of school?

            School takes time. Learning takes time. Homeschooling takes YOUR time. Those are the facts. But HOW much time? Every child learns differently. Age, stage and ability determines the hours needed to instruct each student. Does it take time? Yes! Lots of time. But not ALL day. Once you get into a routine it takes less time. It is a commitment but being a parent means doing what is best for my child, not just me. After evaluating your obligations can you commit? Can you balance it all? Do you have any additional resources to help along the way? Co-ops?

3) Will this raise or lower the stress in our family?

            Depression, anxiety and stress are creeping into our thoughts and daily life. So, will having my child(ren) home elevate the stress or deflate it? Most have already had a taste of online learning. Did it work? There is so much ahead that we cannot possibly predict what will happen in the 2020/2021 school year. Does the thought of having your kids at home, lower your anxiety or raise it?

4)  Can you handle being with kids 24/7?

            Being with your kids ALL day long is hard. Not going to lie. BUT it is also rewarding, fun and easy too. WHAT? Is it hard or easy? The more I am around my kids the easier it gets. We establish boundaries. We find our flow. We learn to appreciate each other on a different level. If you can establish good routine, you will create a bonded unit. You set the tone. They may argue and have an adjustment period but good parenting tools will help siblings move toward a deeper friendship. However, if being at home with your kids sends you over the top no matter what you do then step away from homeschooling. Being home with your kids, teaching and guiding them takes patience and grace. Lots and lots of grace!!

5) Do you want to have the answer key?

            Fact. You don’t get the answer key in the public-school setting. When your child comes to you with a math problem is it usually in the middle of a lesson, and unless it is 2 + 2, you may get stumped. Homeschooling parents get the answers. YEP! Which means less stress trying to figure out what they want. It makes the teaching/learning doable. You learn and grow along with them.

Processing what school options is best takes time. It is a personal choice that only YOU can answer. 

Obviously, I believe in homeschooling. When I entered the homeschooling world sixteen years ago, I was naive. I didn’t know what I didn’t know. I thought homeschooling was going to be easy and honestly felt I had no other choice because my child wasn’t designed to learn in a traditional school setting. We were actually verbally against homeschooling. Yep, we even said out loud, “We would never homeschool.” HA! Today, I LOVE being around my kids! Through all the highs and lows, at the end of the day, I know I did what is best for our family. Daily we make choices. In the end, God gives us wisdom and grace to walk it out. There is no right answer. There is only the right answer for YOUR family. 

Bottom line….. Know your WHY! It will carry you through the hard days.

                    To homeschool or not?

                                                    That is the question!

                                                  YOU have the answers!!