Homeschooling is a big commitment some parents make to provide their child with an education. Parents that home school are frequently asked how they have enough time to do it. If you are considering homeschooling for your family here are some things to think about.
What is Homeschooling?
Homeschooling has changed and evolved over the years so your idea of homeschooling may not match what it now includes. It is actually incredibly flexible and can be very convenient. Some choose to follow a very structured schedule and some choose a more relaxed routine. As long as the curriculum is completed, the process isn’t as important. Homeschooling can also be partly interest-based and involve your child’s likes. The best thing is it can be tailored to your child and family.
How Much Time Does it Take?
It just depends on your children, their ages, and your life, and it varies day to day and year to year. Preparation and research can be time-consuming before you begin homeschooling since it can be difficult to decide what type of program to use and what type of resources are needed.
There are many homeschooling local co-ops that you can get in touch with to help you with your research. Most of them offer different programs to supplement homeschooling and give your kids a chance to interact with other children their ages. It can provide you with a network of parents that can share their research and methods to help inform your decisions. There are also countless resources on the internet to help you prepare for homeschooling. There are Facebook groups, forums, and so many websites dedicated to homeschooling advice. Cost is also a factor when researching programs. Some programs come with more physical books and paper resources and cost more to purchase.
Do You Have the Time?
This is a personal question that you need to consider carefully. Most families that choose to home school have one parent stay home during the day to school and care for the kids. Some families choose to hire a nanny or tutor to stay with the kids during the day and take care of the children.
You also should consider the flexibility of being able to plan vacations when most children are in traditional school. Many nontraditional activities can also be considered part of your homeschooling day, like sorting the recycling or helping with food preparation. Normal daily life gives many opportunities for teaching, and you can utilize those while home schooling. When discussing how many actual hours each day are spent homeschooling, families will answer differently depending on their children’s ages and curriculum. After researching your curriculum of choice, find a parent group that uses that curriculum and discuss the specific timing with them.
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