Everything You Need To Ask Yourself Before Considering Homeschooling Your Kid

Homeschooling is becoming more and more popular in the 21st Century, for some parents, they have lost faith in the education system, others feel like their child is not being taught what is necessary and others make the decision for various other reasons. If you have been considering homeschooling your child then there are a lot of factors that you need to think about. Before taking the plunge and deciding on homeschooling, here are some questions you should be asking.

Are You Up to it?

Homeschooling your child puts a great deal of pressure on you, not just on the amount of knowledge that you will need to have to teach your child a broad range of subjects, but also the sheer amount of time that you will have to spend on their studies. Homeschooling could put a great deal of pressure on you, you won’t just be teaching your child during class hours but also spend time preparing, planning and marking their work.

What Will Your Child Gain and Lose?

Making this decision should be done with your child at the centre of any choice that you make and you need to weigh up what your child will lose and gain through this method of schooling. Make a pros and cons list, include things like their lack of socializing and how they will cope learning from a parent. Also think of things such as discipline.

Financial Strain?

Homeschooling a child will put a great deal of financial strain on you and your partner, not just because one of you will have less time to work but also because you will have to pay for all of the equipment that your child needs. Ensure that your financial situation is solid enough to support homeschooling, the last thing you want to do is chop and change with your child’s education.

Is Your Child Willing?

One of the most important considerations is the willingness of your child to forego school in favor of homeschooling. If your child isn’t up for it then they will be far less committed to the project. You need to have a frank conversation with your child to see if they are wiling to receive this kind of education, explain to them all of your reasons why and allay any fears that they may have.

What Impact Will it Have?

It’s important to think about the long term impact that this type of schooling may have on your child’s life. The lack of socializing may lead to a lack of confidence, their education may not befit their career ambitions and the amount of contact they have with you could prove to be unhealthy. Consider the future before making any rash decisions.

Many people who are homeschooled go on to find great success and we are not saying that home education is better or worse than traditional routes of education. The key here is that you ensure that you have considered all of the important points before making a decision.