Homeschooling Resources - Should You Homeschool?

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Do you love to spend a lot of time with your children or do you often find you need a break away from them after a few hours?

All parents need a break, but everyone has a different temperament. Some may think it is the greatest thing in the world to spend every waking moment of the day with their kids. Other parents love their children, but are relieved when the bus comes to take them away for a few hours a day. If you are the latter, you should not homeschool.

Do you have the intellectual and emotional requirements to teach your children?

The first part is obvious. If you could pass, with flying colors, a high school senior exam, surely you have enough knowledge to share with an preschool/elementary school child and perhaps even a high school student. However, there is more to teaching than intellect.

You must be able to know on an emotional level how to reach your child's thirst to learn more. You must know how to impart your knowledge in a way your child will understand.

True, most lessons in the public school has been "dumbed down" in order to help kids feel good about themselves, but this has done more damage to them in the long run. They cannot compete on an intellectual level with the rest of the civilized world.

The very intellectual parent may have the wrong idea that the child should understand something and get very frustrated if they do not pick up on something the parent thinks is so easy. This could ruin your child's self esteem even more than not teaching them enough.

Another harmful trend, in which a parent needs to be emotionally ready to teach, is the child's natural tendency to push the limits. There may be days a child will be stubborn, not want to work, complain, and push your buttons to see if they can get out of work. If this goes on too many times and you insist on sticking to the schedule, you both can end up in frustration.

If your kids are doing this on a regular basis then "unschooling" you will be better with your situation. Unschooling is simply allowing your child to lead the way in their own education. This is not to say your child sits around all day and watches tv, but they simply let their curiosity lead the way.

If you are easily manipulated by your children, you should not homeschool.

Will Your Family Have The Financial Resources To Homeschool?

Many parents make the decision to be stay at home parents. Some homeschool and some do not. Unless the other spouse is making a generous income or they come from rich families, it can be a struggle.

Sometimes both parents HAVE TO work. On the lower end of the economic scale, those who make close to minimum wage [anything below $12/hour] need more than one income to support the basic needs such as food, clothing, and shelter. Many times these families have to debate on which is more important to pay - food or having running water.

Many who homeschool do not appreciate that for some people it IS a sacrifice the family has to make in order to homeschool and others cannot afford to sacrifice the income for teaching at home. [This is not to say we are sacrificing children or giving up on petty luxuries. We are talking about those who are living close to poverty who are conflicted because they want to teach their children, but doing so may starve their family.]

If you are in need of money, you can try alternative means of income like babysitting, sewing, or any home business. You can find a job that has overnight or weekend hours.

If the financial burden is too great, don't feel like you failed your kids. You can still teach them what you know when you do see them.

Are You Disciplined And Even Tempered?

If you are a hot head who flies off the handle over little things or you are a bit flighty and cannot keep an organized schedule, you should not homeschool.

If you love to be with your children and you have a lot of knowledge to share with them. If you are in tune with your kids enough that you can reach them and have the patience to help them get over tough areas and are not too much of a pushover to let them give up at the slightest difficulty. If you find that your children are the center of your universe and you are willing to do what is best for them, even if it means giving up if homeschooling fails [that may mean swallowing your pride and admitting you were wrong for the good of your child.] If you can answer these questions, then you have an idea if you are ready or not.