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Advice from a Former Homeschooler: Considerations Before Homeschooling – Part Three of Four

Guest post by: SarahBeth White

Article Overview: Homeschooling can be a rewarding experience for both parent and child. But much has to be taken into consideration before you make a decision to do so. A reality check needs to be done as this is very hard work which requires consistency and being persistent. Children learn in different ways so you will have to determine how best to teach. Museums, concerts, music lessons, and many other outlets allow you to expand your school day as you will finish long before a traditional school day lasts. One on one or two or three is an excellent ratio for learning/teaching. Homeschooling may be hard work but it can be the most rewarding "job" you ever undertake. This is a Four Part Series.

Advice from a Former Homeschooler: Considerations Before Homeschooling – Part Three of Four

This article contains a few topics to be considered before you pledge to teach your child(ren) at home. You will be faced with more as you continue to progress towards the beginning of the school year.

Every school year, we would evaluate whether or not we wanted or needed to continue homeschooling. Until the 9th or 10th grade, the answer was an immediate and resounding vote to stay at home. But my child got older, subject matter became too complex for me to teach, and I needed to earn a paycheck. We found that video teaching materials did not provide a viable alternative for us.

Next you should consider homeschooling from both the parent's and student's position. This is not something to take lightly. You are responsible for your child's future even more so now that you are parent AND teacher. Since you have positioned yourself as educator, you must be persistent and consistent. It is a 24/7 365 day a year job. No summer vacation. You now have year round school even though you are not meeting for classes daily. You must completely think this through and learn to see everything as a learning experience.

Often you will want to take days off because you do not feel like having lessons. There will be LOTS of days you or your child do not feel like having lessons so this is not a habit you can allow yourself to form.

In addition, you should have a morning routine just as if the child was in a public or private school. Get up, get cleaned up and dressed for the day. Staying in pajamas is not an option. Have prayer, say the pledge of allegiance and incorporate anything else in your morning routine that a public or private school includes if it does not go against your beliefs.

Also, you may have to do more than a school teacher to PROVE that homeschooling your child was in the best interest of the family. All eyes will be upon you to see if you have made the right decision for this child and that is okay if friends, family and community are showing they care about your child.

Just as important: Will you take "sick" days off or continue lessons to some degree if your child is not feeling well enough for a full day's lessons? Obviously there will be days when your child is too sick to have lessons. Then there are days when any kid is just under the weather and does not want to go to school. Use this time to incorporate shorter lessons or skip subjects in which you are ahead of schedule. Being consistent and persistent are necessary but a little change in routine might go a long way to remind your student that you are first and foremost their loving parent.

Another must as you prepare to become a homeschooler is to find a substitute teacher for testing and outsourcing when necessary. There are subjects you are not going to be able to teach. You will need to enlist help from a friend, family member, school teacher, or other qualified individual so your child gets the best education even in subjects you cannot teach.

Although the annual standardized testing may be purchased from Bob Jones University or elsewhere, I strongly encourage you to use a substitute to administer the testing. You are qualified to administer the testing if you have a four year degree or teacher's certificate but I felt better outsourcing the testing so no one could challenge the validity of it in any way. I chose not to be present during any of the testing for just that reason.

Actually this practice paid off when we decided to move to traditional schooling. The principal of the school in which I elected to enroll my son reviewed the documentation I presented for prior school years. He said he had never seen such excellent records from a home schooling family upon entering the traditional school arena. They were quite anxious to enroll my child because of his caliber.

Over the years, people have said I must be a genius to have taught such a brilliant child. I reassure them, it was the student and not the teacher so we have come to 50/50 terms on the quality of student and teacher involved. I still believe in my heart that I had the opportunity of teaching an exceptional student who loved learning and still does.

Furthermore, I would like to offer a suggestion to families who cannot really afford to give up a paycheck in order to teach their child. There is much available today that was not around when I taught my son. You have the option of trading your traditional job for an internet marketing job just as you are trading tradtional school for homeschool. I got laid off recently and found what is an amazing home based internet marketing business system. As I said earlier, see everything as something to teach your child and this is no different except most children would become the teacher to their parent in any internet endeavor. It could be incorporated in the day's lessons very easily and be beneficial from several standpoints.

My life is happier than ever before because I now have time to spend with my son; time to go hiking with my dog, Mo; and I am able to spend time with friends and family.

Feel free to contact me with homeschooling questions or to share experiences.

See Part Four: Serious No No's for Homeschooling Parents

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Article Tags: childhood education, education, home based business, homeschoolers, homeschooling advice, homeschooling family, internet marketing
Referred by: http://jaykubassek.com



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