Writing about reasons to quit homeschooling this morning, got me thinking. I want to take a second look at the reasons a parent might want to quit homeschooling, and give a few reasons why a parent in the same situation may want to continue homeschooling. I will add the disclaimer that if a parent feels pushed into homeschooling, then they probably should not homeschool. As I stated earlier, that would create an unhealthy environment for both parent and child.
Parent feels they cannot provide the child the structure they need.Providing structure for a child’s education, especially when there are younger children in the home, can be a difficult task. Parents who have trouble providing structure are usually the same parents who have difficulty being structured (me included). Instead of throwing your hands up in frustration and sending your kids off to school, you may want to take the opportunity and challenge to become structured. Purchase a book or two on personal organization, and perhaps a homeschooling guide as well. You may actually find that both you and your child are better off for the experience.
School can offer child more in the areas of advanced classes and competition. Sure, schools can offer an array of advanced classes, and there are plenty of opportunities for competition. However, if you get involved in local homeschooling groups, you will be amazed how many other options there are. My personal favorite is local academic classes, which are available in most cities.
Parent does not want last child (after homeschooling all others) to be lonely. If you find yourself down to one child left to homeschool, and fear he or she might be lonely, you do not have to ship them off to public school to find friends. Since this is your last child, you have to realize that this child has never had you to him or herself in their lifetime. Take at least one more year to spend one on one with this child; you both may discover things about the other you never knew. Things you can do to give him or her quality time with other homeschoolers is to partner with another homeschooling parent in the same situation. You take both kids two days a week and she take both kids two days a week. Each of you would teach the children the subjects that parent is best at. On day five, you can spend quality time with your won child, or arrange local classes.
Planning to homeschool for just a short amount of time like Kindergarten and First grade only. Any extra time you can spend with your child is precious time. For this reason, I understand why a parent may want to homeschool during what might be the easy early years. What you should be aware of however, is that homeschoolers have the best success rates when they have homeschooled for 4-5 years. The first one or two years are usually spent deciphering your child’s learning style and figuring out what works best for them. Once you have, done all of that work, why stop?
Unique educational opportunities for the child, like being accepted into a specialty high school. It can be very exciting and flattering to have a child accepted into a coveted charter school, or other specialty program. However, although it is a special school that you and your child are considering, it is still a school, that will still have many of the same challenges, downfalls, and dangers of any other school.
Both parents need to work full time. If there were ever a good excuse to stop homeschooling, needing to work full time would certainly be it. However, more and more working and even single parents are homeschooling each year. The one thing a working homeschooling parent must have is support. You can find support through your relatives, friends, and homeschool groups. Ask around to see if there might be anyone who is willing to supervise your child during your working hours. You may be surprised at the solutions you can come up with.
In summation, I will say that there are many excuses to quit homeschooling, but there are few good reasons that cannot be worked out… if you want to, that is.
*Have a question about homeschooling? Just ask.
*Want to know more about homeschooling? Start here!