The decision to homeschool your child is a daunting but liberating one. If your schedule doesn’t allow for conventional education, you haven’t been able to find a school that’s suitable for your child, or you simply feel they’d be better off educated at home for whatever reason, congratulations: you’ve made the first dizzying leap into the world of homeschooling. However, going in blind is never a good idea. Here are 10 things we think you need to know about the world of homeschooling.
1. Your kids will be home all the time
Some parents use school as a respite from their kids when caring for them is starting to get a little overwhelming. As a homeschooler, you won’t be able to do that; your kids will be home during their education and during their free time. Make sure you don’t neglect your own downtime as a result of this; you may struggle to find moments to yourself if you’ve chosen to homeschool your children, but you still need to take care of yourself. Try to organise trips out of the house, too, as your surroundings can feel a little confining as a homeschooler.
2. You’ll get tired of your house
Ask anyone who works from home and they will tell you that the home environment quickly becomes repetitive and tedious. If you’re going to homeschool your children, you may wish to undertake some redecorating or renovation to keep your home feeling fresh and new. The kitchen is the most important room in your home, so why not start off with a creative custom kitchen? Alternately, try putting up some new art around the house, changing carpets, or buying some new cushions for your furniture.
3. You don’t have to be an expert
Plenty of parents choose to homeschool their children without necessarily being extremely knowledgeable about the subjects they need to teach. Finding a good repository of homeschooling resources is crucial to enhancing the experience; you can make up for gaps in your knowledge, build your own curriculum for your child, and shape their education according to the resources you prefer. If there are things you don’t know, that’s fine; part of the process is learning yourself, after all!
4. Kids getting tired is natural
In a conventional school environment, if a child isn’t responding well to a lesson, they may be punished or singled out for criticism. A good teacher won’t take that path immediately, but it may still happen due to frustration or a lack of support. When you’re homeschooling, this doesn’t need to be an issue. You can decide whether or not to pursue a lesson on a day when a child simply doesn’t seem to be absorbing what you’re teaching. After all, we learn better when we’re having fun. Speaking of which…
5. Make lessons enjoyable
One of the most distinct advantages of homeschooling is that you get to shape the lessons yourself. This means you can include whatever content you think is engaging or exciting and leave out what you don’t like. With that in mind, there’s no reason not to make lessons fun and enjoyable for your kids. Include plenty of interactive activities and engagement in the form of question-and-answer sessions; this way, your kids will stay on top of the material and be able to participate in the lesson.
6. The schedule is whatever you make it
It’s a good idea to give your kids as well-rounded an education as you possibly can. Focusing specifically on one subject could leave your kids intellectually malnourished in other areas, so try to be holistic in your approach. With that in mind, talk to your children and discover what they like. Try to fit lessons they’re less enamoured with around those they do like. That way, you can sandwich the less palatable moments between more fun and engaging lessons, ensuring your kids don’t dread homeschooling.
7. Breaks aren’t just breaks
Remember that when your kids are taking breaks, they’re not simply “not learning”. Rather, they’re taking the time to build important connections; with each other if you have multiple children, or with themselves and their environment if they’re playing alone. In fact, if your kids are constantly learning together, it may be a good idea to allow them some time to themselves between lessons. Kids who attend regular school get the chance to socialise with multiple classes, so try to simulate that experience too if you can; if you know anyone else who’s homeschooling, try to get your “classes” together.
8. Encourage your kids’ natural interests
Over the course of your homeschooling journey, your kids – just as they would in a regular school setting – will begin to develop their own interests. It is absolutely crucial to your child’s ongoing development that you nurture these interests in a healthy and encouraging way. Talk to your children regularly about what they’re interested in and cultivate their curiosity. Ask questions and be engaged. If a child detects you’re bored when they’re speaking, it may discourage them from pursuing their interests.
9. Talk to other homeschoolers
As a homeschooling parent, it’s natural to feel frequently overwhelmed by the scale of what you’re attempting to do. That’s why it’s crucial to build connections with other homeschooling parents and the creators of homeschooling resources. By talking to other people who are homeschooling, you’ll get a better idea of the challenges and rewards inherent in the process, and you’ll also pick up some handy tips on what to do when certain situations arise.
10. Have fun
In the end, your decision to homeschool may be driven by a number of factors, but it’s important to always try to enjoy yourself while doing it. If you aren’t putting everything you can into lessons, why should your kids feel any need to do so themselves? Teachers are role models; they engage kids, make them interested in subject matter that might be dry, and inspire them to become the best they can be. When you’re homeschooling, you’re a parent and a teacher, so that role falls to you twice over.
Anna Marikar, mum of four and seasoned blogger, has spent over a decade sharing her parenting journey and passion for kid-friendly crafts and free printables.
Her easy-to-follow craft ideas and practical parenting advice have transformed In The Playroom into a cherished resource for parents.