Single parent homeschooling

Single parents choosing homeschooling are gradually increasing in numbers.  The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) found almost 18% of homeschoolers came from single-parent households in 2003, up just slightly from 1997.  And while it may seem this number is increasing slower than, say, homeschooling in general, considering 1/4 of the nation’s students come from single-parent families, it is actually a closer approximation of the modern American family than one might think.

Without a doubt, single-parents face obstacles not always present in two-adult households.  When asked, single parents report a lack of time and dollars as two of the most serious challenges to making homeschooling work.  Single parents also say they rely heavily on others for advice, emotional support and physical assistance.

Fortunately, many single parents have found the time the time to tell their stories.  These tales offer encouragement and information for those just starting out.  There are also networks to join, discussion groups to chat on, and forums to ask questions unique to single parent homeschooling.

Single Mom Homeschooling, for instance, tells her story as mom suddenly faced with single parenting and homeschooling alone.  Homeschool Mom offers single parent homeschooling tips, and Homeschool Diner offers advice, too.

Check also FPEA Single Parenting Tips, Janet’s Country Home Single Parenting Resources and the Single Parent Center on Homeschooling and then locate additional resources on your own.  Finding a place that feels comfortable could be the most important tool to single parent homeschooling success, thus searching for a welcoming support space is well worth the effort.

Other links of interest:

Home Education Foundation Single Parent Fund

Single Parent Homeschooling: An interview with Mary Jo Tate, author of “Flourish at Home”

Are you a single parent who homeschools?  Would you be willing to share some tips that work for you?  COMMENT below, to help others in similar situations. My readers and I want love to hear from you!

Dr. Marie-Claire Moreau is a college professor who traded in her tenure to become a homeschool mom 20+ years ago.  The founder of homeschool groups and organizations, she works to advance home education, and is an outspoken supporter of education reform coast to coast.  Her book, Suddenly Homeschooling: A Quick Start Guide to Legally Homeschool in Two Weeks, is industry-acclaimed as it illustrates how homeschooling can rescue children and families from the system, and how anyone can begin homeschooling within a limited time-frame and with no teaching background whatsoever.  A liaison for regional school-to-home organizations and a homeschool leader in Florida, Marie-Claire also mentors homeschool families nationwide. A conference speaker, she has appeared at FPEA, H.E.R.I., Florida Home Education Summit, Home Education Council of America, The Luminous Mind, Vintage Homeschool Moms, iHomeschool, and other events.  Her articles have appeared in and on CONNECT, Homefires, Homemaking Cottage, Kiwi, Circle of Moms, and hundreds of other blogs nationwide.  Marie-Claire can be reached at contactmarieclaire@gmail.com.