I recently wrote an article entitled The Dangers of Short Term Homeschooling where I advised against pulling one’s child out of school for a short while just to put them back in. I failed to mention however, that there are some circumstances where possible short-term homeschooling is a good idea. Such a circumstance would be a trial period, which many prospective homeschoolers start now, in January.
Homeschooling for a trial period often gives people the courage to “try it out”. Though making a solid decision to homeschool or not is wise, homeschooling is not like the army. Once you start, you can still change your mind and go back. No one is going to jail you. Before you begin a trial period however, even though it is “just” a trial period, you need to be prepared.
Here are some things you can do to prepare yourself for a trial period of homeschooling:
1. Be honest with yourself, your spouse and your child (and others if it suits you). Is this really a trial period or what you are telling others (like your friends, and relatives), to get them off your back? I know I told many people that our first year of homeschooling was a trial when it really was not. This unfortunately opened the door for lots of unsolicited advice at the end of my first year.
2. Do not expect too much. In the first six months of homeschooling, you cannot expect much more than academic maintenance and a happier child. The child needs time to unwind. Many call this period deschooling. If you push the child too hard before they have time to adjust to what should be a more relaxed learning environment, you are setting yourself up for failure.
3. Use this trial period to learn as much as you can about homeschooling. It is better if you have some time before you start homeschooling to study up, but if your decision was made quickly, you need to spend some time educating yourself. I suggest you read books on homeschooling and check the credentials of internet writers. They need to have experience in homeschooling to give homeschooling advice.
4. Know why you are homeschooling. Do not decide to homeschool as a knee-jerk decision such as having a disagreement with your child’s teacher, or not wanting your child educated in a trailer-classroom. If you are going to try homeschool, you need as good and solid a reason as you would if you were going to homeschool long term, like your child is failing to thrive, you are not happy with the academic programs in your district, or religious reasons.
5. Get a support system. Find veteran homeschoolers who are willing to support you and your child and answer your questions. Be careful with who you choose to help you. Pick someone who will support you just as much if in the end; you decide to re-enroll your child in school.
So if you feel you need a trial period to know if you and your child really can homeschool, do not be afraid to take it. Just do not expect academic miracles to happen in a short term. Instead, look for the improvements in your child’s heart.
Another option for trying out homeschooling is giving it a trial run over the summer.