Hi IMs. Hubby and I are thinking about homeschooling out children once they reach school age.
I would love to hear pros, cons and tips from anyone who has done this at all.
This is a place where women from different backgrounds, cultures and beliefs come together to support one another judgement free.
3 Replies
I home schooled my son for a number of years. It was ok, I did it because my sons schooling options were very limited and the school system wasn’t working for him (he had a number of disabilities).
On my journey I’ve met a lot of homeschool families. It’s important to think long term and how long it’s realistic to homeschool for. Some kids have a really hard time when it’s time to go to traditional schooling, which often occurs in high school when the parents realise they don’t have the skill to teach certain subjects and course material becomes more and more specialised. There is a reason high school teachers specialise in 1-2 subjects.
When you apply for homeschool status you have to demonstrate how you will be applying the states curriculum, this often includes learning a second language, they will also want to know how your child will have access to social opportunities. What space of your home you will be doing your school work in etc. When they return they return in 12 months time they want to see examples of school work completed etc.
it can be fun, it can be bloody hard work. It can be incredibly lonely. You never, ever get a break! When you aren’t teaching you are doing housework. Some kids thrive and others just butt heads with there parents.
Getting all the supplies and materials together you need to cover all the subjects etc can be expensive and time consuming. I found teaching some topics really easy and others that I didn’t have an affinity for a real struggle.
The other option is distance education, where they send you the course materials and you supervise your child to complete the work.
I think the big point is that at some point most of our kids need to return to traditional schooling. Wether that’s in high school, uni, or tafe. It’s super important to set them up with the skills to flourish in those environments. Primary school provides a stepping stone to independence that prepares a child for the high school environment and high school prepares a child for tafe/uni/workforce. Academics is just one part of that so it’s important to find a way to prepare your child for the next big step.
I worked as a governess for 5 years on a cattle station where the kids did distance education. Personally there would have to be no other option for me to do it with my own kids. It's hard work. You are mum and teacher to the kids and you don't get a break. Like any education system some kids flourish and others it's a constant struggle. The biggest issue for the kids I worked with was the social aspect. Once they headed off to high school they weren't far off academically but socially and emotionally there was a huge gap and the eldest two are still struggling. One of the boys also had learning issues, we did the best that we could but mainstream school has a lot more knowledge and resources to give him the help that he needs.
I know the mum of that family regrets her decision to home school
Pros - freedom to choose cureiculum education style, and to give flexibility to meet needs. Its easy to setup and theres not much interference or reporting at all.
Cons-it runs your whole life. There is no community/ place to drop the kids, there arent many other options for childcare so its 24/7 with your kids. Teaching becomes a large part of your life, looking at their learning and planning.
Financially different due to not being able to work. There are usually plenty of meets but as everyone haa different things going on I found finding regular ongoing friends really difficult.