{Day 1} Is Homeschooling Really Right for You?

{For an overview of all 31 Days of Homeschooling click HERE.}

To advance to the next lesson, look for the “NEXT LESSON” link at the end of this article.

Thinking about homeschooling your kids?  How many times do you catch yourself wondering what homeschooling your children might be like?  Already homeschooling? Do you find yourself wondering if you’ve made the right choices for your family — especially for your children?

Today is all about finding out — Is Homeschooling Really Right for You?

In my work and in my travels, I meet many families from all around the United States and even elsewhere.  Many ask themselves this same question.  Even families who have been homeschooling for a very long time sometimes wonder if they have made all of the right choices.

This is perfectly normal.  Any major life decision is accompanied by questions and — often – major doubt, too.

Naturally, as a homeschooler and advocate for homeschoolers, I know homeschooling works.  I know it is an excellent solution for many, many families.  However, I also know there are some families who should not be homeschooling at all.  Let’s face it.  It isn’t for everybody.

When I am asked if homeschooling is the best option for a particular family, I often say, “Anyone can homeschool.  But, not everybody should.”

I want to explain what this means, to help you decide if homeschooling is the right choice for you, too.

Homeschooling is legal in all of the 50 states and in some countries around the world.  As long as you live in a place where homeschooling is legal, you CAN homeschool your children.

The more important question is — SHOULD you?

That’s a much harder question.  Nobody can answer that, except for you.

To find your answer, refer to the list of questions below.  Notice which of these issues you feel very strongly about, and which you do not. See if the answers to these questions lead you to a decision about homeschooling.

Examine each carefully:

• Do you believe that parents have the right to raise their own children as they see fit?  Or, do you believe that government should play a big role in raising your children for you?
• Do you believe there are many different ways that people learn?  Or, do you feel that sitting in a classroom the best way for children to become smart, skilled and ready for the future?
• Are you satisfied with the types of interactions and main influencers at your child’s school and in your child’s life?  Or, would you prefer to take control of the kinds of activities your children experience and the role models put before them?
• Do you value learning?   Is education something that is important to you?  Or, do you see schooling as just something people do — something you don’t think very much about.
• Is the education your children are receiving top-notch?  Are you satisfied with the standards, curriculum and level of preparedness offered at your child’s present school?  Or, do you think you might be able to do a better job?
• Have you a strong set of beliefs or values you value deeply?  Would your children be severely or negatively impacted if your views somehow became challenged, or were not permitted in certain types of a public settings at all?
• Would you like the opportunity to get to know your child more deeply?  Do you welcome the chance to be a champion for his or her preferred ways of doing things?  Or, would you prefer to follow allow a set of “experts” to impose upon your children a set of rules and guidelines, governing all of the things they learn and do for the next 12-15 years?
• Do you feel bogged down by routine and deadlines?  Is the daily grind simply becoming too much for you and for your children?  Do you seek more flexibility in life — time to spend on projects with your children, options for learning differently when and where you want to?
• Are you someone who is willing to conduct research, ask questions, locate resources, and seek out answers to the things you do not understand? Does the thought of not being your child’s primary guide and mentor bother you?   Or, do you like the thought of having someone else take the lead, telling you and your child what to do each day, all year long?
• Have you the time, energy, resources and desire to dedicate to your child daily?  Or, are you someone who simply cannot make a space in your daily life and schedule to commit to spending time on home education each and every day?
• Homeschooling is no small decision.  Are you willing to stay the course and give it a good, honest try before deciding whether or not it’s working?  Or, are you someone who tries many new things but has difficulty committing to any for any length of time?

There are obviously many factors that may affect a family’s decision to choose homeschooling or not.  However, these basic questions should help filter your beliefs and guide you toward developing your personal truths about child-rearing and education.  After examining your responses to these questions, and how you feel about these issues, you should be a great deal closer to understanding whether homeschooling is the right choice for you.

NEXT LESSON

You might also like:

Is this your year to homeschool?

What if I stink at homeschooling?

Are you good enough?

A day in the life of a homeschooler. What does it look like?

Suddenly Homeschooling: A Quick Start Guide to Legally Homeschool in Two Weeks