Are you qualified to teach?

  Homeschoolers are under scrutiny.  Outsiders feel it is their duty to make sure homeschooled children are learning the three “R’s”.  If you doubt that then take your child out during school hours or simply mention homeschooling and sit back and wait for the quizzing to begin.  If they don’t quiz your kids they may quiz you.  Many question if those without education degrees can teach.  The short answer is yes.  Yes, you can teach your children without a teaching degree.  Teaching degrees are not magic.  I respect teachers and the effort it takes to become degreed and dedicate your life … Continue reading

What if she wants to go to school?

It is assumed that a child who is not interested in homeschooling should be heard yet a child who is not interested in going to school should accept attending.  If it is a parents choice to send a child to school regardless of the child’s wishes then shouldn’t the parent also have the authority to make the same decision about homeschooling?  Seems logical to me.  Yet, I hear of parents not homeschooling because the child does not want to be homeschooled.  I hear of well meaning family and friends who tell a homeschool parent that perhaps the choice needs to … Continue reading

Yes, but would your kid last in a classroom?

Homeschoolers fall into the trap of comparing their teaching style and their child’s level to teachers and children in a traditional school.  It isn’t all their fault.  Well meaning family and friends often voice concerns about the ability of a homeschooled child to hack in a real classroom.  The traditional school isn’t called traditional for nothing.  It is our default idea of education and thus we tend compare our homeschools to it.  Permission is granted to stop doing that today.  No, don’t look back, just keep on going. It is human nature to desire a measure of success.  In and … Continue reading