Is homeschooling right for your family? Here are some considerations for making an informed decision.
Here's what you'll learn in this article:
- It's a big decision whether or not to homeschool, but there are factors you can consider to make an informed decision.
- Five insights to help you determine if homeschooling is right for your family.
- Answers to common questions about considering whether to home school.
- Key takeaways to help you decide if homeschooling is right for your family.
- Next steps in your homeschooling journey.
Deciding to Home School is a Life Changing Decision Deserves Careful Consideration
Any life change sets us on a different path. Choosing to home school will set your family on a different path. While you cannot know where that path will lead, you can make an informed decision about whether to start homeschooling based on your family's current situation.
Regardless of whether you choose to home school, find gratitude in being able to consider different options for your family. Likewise, no matter what path you choose for your children's education, there will be pros and cons to each, and you should take comfort in that realization. Also, you should keep in mind that what seems like the best decision now may not be the best decision in the future, and you can always try something different in the future.
5 Key Questions for Making an Informed Decision About Homeschooling
By answering a series of questions, you can avoid feeling overwhelmed and feel confident in your decision regarding whether to home school. Here are five key questions to inform your decision making:
1. What is Driving Your Interest in Making a Change?
Understanding what is driving your interest in change can help you think through what options will best meet your perceived need. If you are tired of the daily commute to your child's school for example, you may have options besides homeschooling. On the other hand, if you are dissatisfied with your child's experience in traditional school and there are no other schools in your area, then homeschooling may be your best (or only) option. Make a list of everything driving your interest in making a change.
Consider other factors too, like how long you have been thinking about this change and what else is happening in your life that may be influencing your interest in homeschooling. If your child is in private school and your partner just lost their job, your interest in home school might be out of necessity or a reaction to uncertainty. Incorporate these factors into your list of drivers and rank your drivers by most influential to least.
2. What Options Are Available?
Home school is one of many ways to learn. Consider if you have other options available, like switching schools. If you do, spend some time researching those options and consider taking some tours, each of which will likely only take an hour or two out of your schedule.
When you look at your list of drivers, consider which of your options could address your needs and desires. If you your child is struggling socially, then switching to a new school may be an option, just like homeschooling. Alternatively, what would it look like if your child started a new extracurricular activity to find a new friend group? Thinking broadly about your options will help you identify all possible solutions so that you can feel confident in your ultimate decision.
3. What Do You Value?
Your values will help you narrow your options and give you the confidence that you are making an informed decision for your family. If you primarily value learning and your child is making great strides in learning at their current school despite social challenges, then pursuing options that address their social needs and don't disrupt their learning might be best.
4. How Does Your Child (and How Do Other Family Members) Feel?
Deciding to home school will affect the entire family, so take their input into account. Regardless of your child's age, have an open discussion about school and learning. When they express an opinion, ask them what makes them feel that way.
Approach these conversations in layers. Start broadly to get a sense of what your child thinks about the need for change and the options that are available. Take time to reflect on the conversation, then go deeper. If your child feels apprehensive about change, ask them what might make them feel more comfortable. Do your research and see if you can gather information that will help address their anxiety. For example, you might tour a co-op or shadow a friend who home schools.
5. Is Homeschooling the Right Choice for Your Family?
Once you have identified the top factors driving your interest in making a change and your options for addressing those factors, then you can layer in your values and family input to make an informed decision. Going through this process will give you the confidence to feel good about your choice--whatever that choice might be.
If you are interested in making a change because the school commute is overwhelming, but you deeply value the distinction you have as a parent as opposed to being a parent-educator, then pursuing other commute options like coordinating a joint drop-off/pick-up or enlisting a family member might be better than homeschooling. However, if your child's current school isn't meeting their educational needs, then continuing to pursue homeschooling might be the best option.
FAQs: Deciding Whether to Home School
What if My Family Disagrees About Homeschooling?
If your family disagrees about whether homeschooling makes the most sense, focus on understanding why. Are there different values at play? Are there other options they see? Consider if it's possible to do time-limited trials of different options to gather more information. For example, if it's possible that a new extracurricular activity could enrich your child's experience or improve his or her social life, give it a try. Homeschooling is a big change, so if there are simpler options to try first, trying these will help your entire family be better informed.
What if We Decide Not to Home School?
As long as your family feels like that decision will meet your child's needs, that's great! Homeschooling is a long-term undertaking that takes a lot of investment, so if it doesn't rise to the top of your list as the most value-aligned and feasible option, don't force it. If you gather more information over time that changes your understanding of what your child needs, you can revisit your decision at that time. It is never too late to start homeschooling.
What if We Decide to Start Homeschooling?
If you decide to start homeschooling, you will want the decision to resonate for your family. There will always be uncertainty in the unknown; but, ideally, you've made the decision because it seems like the best value-aligned option to meet your child's needs. Homeschooling is a big project, but there are a lot of resources to guide you toward being a great parent-educator.
Key Takeaways
- Homeschooling is a big decision. If you are considering homeschooling, it's worth taking the time to make an informed decision.
- Understand the need for change. Knowing what is driving your desire to home school will help you consider all potential options for meeting your child's needs.
- Family input matters. Homeschooling is a family matter, so engage all family members for input on making the change.
- Find the fit. Once you consider the drivers, options, values, and family viewpoints, you will be able to make an informed decision about whether to home school.
- Make a decision. Regardless of what you decide, you should feel content that you gave the decision the time and attention it deserved.
Next Steps
If you are leaning toward homeschooling or wondering what the next steps might be, then create a checklist for getting started.
If you would like more information about how to home school, consider becoming a member of Crush Home School. With our membership plan, you get monthly guidance delivered to your inbox with downloadable resources and much more. Learn more about becoming a Crush Home School member.