Should You Homeschool Your Children?

Should You Consider Homeschooling?

Should you homeschool? Many parents have started to ask themselves these questions: Should I consider homeschooling my kids?

What are the homeschooling pros and cons? What is required to homeschool?

In this post, I will outline all things to consider when making this important decision. I will go over the benefits of homeschooling as well as some of the challenges.

I will compile a list of things you need to homeschool. I will also answer some questions I often see from new homeschooling parents.

The rates of homeschooling are increasing rapidly. According to Forbes.com, from 2019 to 2024, the number of homeschooled children in the United States has risen from 2.5 million to 4 million!

That’s a crazy increase! If you look at the data, you notice it happened during the pandemic. This was definitely true for our family. Check out our story here! 

What is Homeschooling?

Homeschooling is the education of children at home by their parents. However, it can differ in certain ways. For one, it’s not always done by the parents.

Sometimes a tutor is hired for a subject the parent is not comfortable with, especially for things like piano or Latin. Other parents choose an online program, and this is fine too.

Some homeschool parents work with other homeschool families to teach subjects they excel in. One parent may teach math to their children and the other family’s children, while the other parent teaches science to all the children.

This is a great way to leverage your strengths and actively participate in your community.

What are the Legal Requirements or Regulations?

This really depends on your state. Each state has its own homeschool laws. Check your state laws at HSLDA.org.  

Luckily, my state doesn’t have many requirements, which is great! This allows a ton of flexibility and customization. We get to homeschool the way my children and I choose to.

PRO TIP: Not every state requires you to keep homeschool records. However, it may be a good idea to keep records even if your state doesn’t require it. You never know what could happen, and it’s better to be safe than sorry! At the very least, keep track of attendance.

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What are the benefits of homeschooling?

1. Customized Education

You will have the ability to tailor the curriculum to your child’s learning interests and attention span. You can spend as little or as much time on a certain topic as you want.

You have the flexibility to spend a whole day on one topic or jump around between subjects. Additionally, you can skip subjects that your children aren’t interested in or that you don’t find useful.

You can focus on your and your children’s strengths. Maybe your children love music? Go ahead and spend extra time learning to sing or play the piano.

Also, you can provide your children with additional support for their weaknesses. If your child seems to be struggling to learn fractions, you have the flexibility to pause another subject and spend more time helping them understand this math concept.

You can even research different and interesting ways to teach a certain topic, which can be helpful to a struggling student.

2. Flexible Schedule

You can adapt your schedule to fit your family’s lifestyle. In some families, the parents go to work in the mornings and homeschool in the evenings.

I even know some families that do the majority of their homeschooling on the weekends.

If your family likes to take vacations or travel frequently, you can plan your schedule around your trips. You can follow the public school year schedule if you like.

Personally, I homeschool year-round rather than taking a break during the summer. This allows us to take more time off for holidays such as Christmas or Pascha.

I also take occasional time off throughout the year whenever I feel we need it.

3. More Family Bonding Time

Let’s face it: when you homeschool your children, you get to spend more time with them. This allows you to bond more and truly come to know each other.

Who doesn’t want that with their kids?!

You also have the chance to learn together and strengthen your relationship through shared experiences.

Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need to be an expert in something to help your child learn about it.

The key is teaching them ‘how to learn’ and ‘how to love learning.’

4. Faith-Based Education

By homeschooling, you can include your faith in your children’s lessons. As Orthodox Christians, we include daily scripture reading as well as reading about the Saint of the Day.

We also incorporate many other activities throughout the liturgical year.

If you would like to learn more about including Orthodoxy in your homeschool, check out How to Nurture Orthodox Faith Through Your Homeschool Curriculum.

There are also curricula you can buy that are faith-based. Some are very heavy in religious study, and some just include a little faith here and there.

It’s great that we have the freedom to include as much of it as we want.

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What are the Challenges in Homeschooling?

1. Time Commitment

You do have to commit a good amount of time to homeschooling, which can be hard when you’re also cooking and cleaning, not to mention if you have a full-time job.

But keep in mind that it takes far less time to master a topic during homeschooling than it would in a public school class of 30 to 40 students.

Most elementary-aged students can spend 2-3 hours homeschooling per day.

You will need to spend time planning your homeschool year and deciding what curriculum to use. If you don’t want to use a specific curriculum, you may have to spend more time creating lesson plans from scratch.

2. Financial Considerations

If you plan to quit your job or cut hours in order to homeschool, you will take a financial hit. However, there are many more work-from-home options available now to help with this.

There are costs to consider when homeschooling. You will need to purchase the materials you plan to use, such as curriculum, paper, pencils, art supplies, science experiment supplies, etc.

Let’s not mention the amount of snacks that will be consumed with your children being home all day.

3. Access to Resources

Not only will you have to purchase supplies to homeschool, but you will also need access to resources. For example, internet access and a computer or tablet are necessary if you would like to utilize YouTube videos or an online class.

If you would like to read fun picture books or novels free of charge, having a library nearby would be extremely convenient.

You will need to either purchase your materials online or have stores nearby where you can buy new or used books and supplies.

Unfortunately, not everyone lives where this is possible and may have to do some significant traveling to obtain the materials they want.

Steps to Get Started

1. Research and Planning

• Look into your local homeschooling laws and requirements. As previously mentioned, you can do this at HSLDA.org.
• Explore different homeschooling methods and curricula. There are so many options to choose from.
• Gather necessary materials and resources. Make a checklist of everything you need so you can stay organized.

For more help starting you homeschool journey, check out How To Start Homeschooling When You Feel Clueless

2. Join a Homeschool Community

It can be helpful to connect with local or online support groups. There are even homeschool conventions and workshops that happen around the U.S. each year.

Look for more information on the ones that happen in your area. 

Homeschool Co-ops are a great option as well. There are different kinds of Co-ops, so it’s a good idea to look into them first and see if they match your homeschool style and goals.

If you’re an Orthodox Christian like me and looking for an online support community, check out my Facebook Group: Orthodox Homemaking and Homeschooling Corner.

3. Develop a Schedule

Create a consistent schedule. Keep in mind, your homeschool does NOT need to look like public school.

But you do need some consistency and routine. Remember to include time for academic subjects and your faith, as well as extracurricular activities like sports.

Check out How to Create a Weekly Homeschool Schedule.

F.A.Q.

Will I get tired of my kids?

Short answer: Yes. It will be an adjustment, especially if you’re used to them being in public school.

I’m not going to lie, there are days I want to pull my hair out. But it is also so rewarding to be the one teaching them.

In homeschooling, you will get to witness their learning and growing as human beings. You will get to witness their childhood and their journey to adulthood.

Will I have enough time to Homeschool?

That depends on your goals with homeschooling, how many children you have, your children’s ages, and your lifestyle.

The older your children are, the more time they will need for schooling, but they will also be more independent in their learning and require less instruction time.

If both parents work full-time, it may be difficult to work homeschooling into your schedule, but it is not impossible. Again, look at your goals.

What is most important to you? Another thing to remember is that you do NOT have to do it all. Your children will have gaps in their learning.

This is true for both public schoolers and homeschoolers. Everyone has the same 24 hours each day, and no one has time to learn absolutely everything.

So decide what your priorities are and go for it.

How much does homeschooling cost?

Homeschooling can be really expensive, or it can be almost free. It depends on your family’s goals and priorities.

Some curricula are pricey, but there are free options you can use online.

Check out How to Homeschool for Free.

Is there any financial support for homeschooling?

Some states do have financial support available. You will have to look up what programs there are in your area.

I’m honestly torn on the idea of this. Financial support is very helpful, especially considering that tax money goes to public schools; why shouldn’t homeschoolers receive it as well?

On the flip side, I don’t like the idea of the government helping us with homeschooling. It opens the doors for more regulations and rules.

So take that however you choose and make the decision that’s best for you. There are also plenty of businesses that offer discounts for homeschoolers.

Be sure to ask about it anywhere you go with your children or purchase materials at.

Will my children be successful if we homeschool?

Yes, they will. You just have to put in the effort. They have just as much, if not more, chance of success as homeschoolers.

They will have more opportunities to excel in the topics they’re interested in. They will have more time to spend with family and play with friends.

This is a recipe for fulfillment, joy, and success.

Will my homeschooled children be able to attend college?

Yes! In fact, more universities are seeking out homeschoolers because they know that homeschoolers have a great work ethic, are goal-driven, and can think critically.

Will my homeschooled children be able to socialize?

This question gets asked a LOT! I get it; homeschooling is out of the norm. Naturally, we tend to think it’s going to hurt our children’s socialization skills.

But let me tell you a little secret: My homeschooled daughter is much more socialized than her public-schooled mom.

Homeschoolers get a ton of real-world experience with all kinds of different people. This is great for well-rounded socialization.

It’s hard to socialize when you’re stuck in a room full of people who are your same age and you’re not allowed to talk or play for 6 to 8 hours each day.

Would you like to know more about socializing homeschoolers? Check out Homeschool Socialization: Why You Don’t Need to Worry About it.

Do I need a homeschool space or homeschool room?

Absolutely not! If you want one, totally go for it!

But I know some homeschoolers who went all out, built a homeschool room, filled it with all the educational things, and ended up sitting on the couch each day instead.

My family goes back and forth between the couch and the kitchen table. It’s whatever suits us at the time.

I would love to have a designated school room, but I don’t, and that’s okay.

Can I still homeschool without any educational training?

Yes. This is one of the biggest myths I hear all the time. ‘You don’t have any training in education so how can you expect to teach your children?’

Well to be honest, it’s a lot easier than you think. You know your children better than anyone else! You know when they may need a break or when they need a different approach.

They will get so much more one-on-one learning from their Mom or Dad. In public school, teachers are in charge of 30-40 kids at a time.

How on earth can they expect to help each child who is struggling?

Is Homeschooling Right for your Family?

Questions to ask yourself:

• What is your why? Why do you want to homeschool?
• What are your educational goals for your children?
• Are you prepared for the time and financial commitment?
• Do you have a supportive community or network?
• How are your finances?
• Can you afford to homeschool?

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You can see there are many reasons to homeschool. It truly depends on the lifestyle you want.

Look at all the information given, do your research, look at your situation and decide what is best for your family.

If you have any questions or you aren’t sure what to do, please reach out! I would love to help.

QUESTION: What other things are important to think about when considering homeschool?

If you found this post helpful, please be sure to save this pin to your Homeschool Pinterest Board!