Homeschooling Doesn't Mean School At Home - And Other Misconceptions About Homeschooling

I know that Kindergarten sign ups are fast approaching.  Many of you are worried about placing your little one in school now that the budget crisis is causing class sizes to swell.  I understand your worry.  I would be worried too.  That's a lot of freaking kids - and it would be so easy for your beautiful little one to get lost in the crowd.

So I want to talk to you about homeschooling.  I want you to really, and truly, consider it.  So I am going to lay waste to some of the major misconceptions you probably have about homeschooling.

Misconception 1: Homeschooling Equals School-At-Home


You probably think that to homeschool, you must literally teach like they do at school... e.g. 4-6 hours a day, your child at a desk, maybe even with your own little classroom in the spare bedroom.

This is not true.  I mean, you could if you want to (and I know homeschool moms that do).  But I sure as heck don't.  And none of my homeschooling friends do either.  I swear to you this - at least in these early years of homeschooling - you can accomplish everything they do in school - and more! - in an hour a day (or less).  Case in point: my oldest daughter Brianna is in first grade.  We have been using the same textbooks they use in public schools.  It is the end of January, and she should be completing the first grade in a month or so. 

We typically work about an hour a day - some days not at all - some days more than an hour - on the nitty-gritty textbook stuff.  We typically hit two of the major subjects (english/spelling/social studies/science/math) a day.  Not always though.  The rest of the day, my daughter does self or mom-directed art projects (art is an official State of California "subject"), play games or send emails on the computer (technology is another subject),  and run around at the park (another subject, phys ed).  That's it - that's a typical homeschooling day for us.  It's not rocket science.  Really - it's just parenting!! :)

Misconception 2: Homeschooling Means My Child Will Be a Freak / aka "Where Will She Get Her Social Interaction If She Doesn't Go to School?"

I will be honest with you - if you're going to homeschool, you must actively seek out social opportunities for your children.   You cannot homeschool in a cave because your children will probably turn out weird. Homeschoolers have the reputation for being weird precisely because parents in the past homeschooled this way.  But these days, it's not hard to get your child social interaction outside of school.  Here are some ways:

• find a homeschool support group in your area (try Yahoo groups or meetup.com) that meets up and has park days and faithfully attend them so your child makes friends
• join a moms group and see if there are other moms in the group that homeschool.  Get together with them regularly and/or create a "co-op" where each mom teaches a subject.
  
• enroll your child in lessons that meet once, or more, a week
  
• enroll your child in a sports team

I have done the first three of these items and my daughter has a large array of friends with whom we can (and do) schedule playdates any day of the week.

Misconception 3 - I Don't Have the Patience to Homeschool


Yes you do.  Truly - if you can parent, you can homeschool.  In fact, if your child is in school, you probably already are.   In most schools, children - even Kindergartners - receive thick packets of homework every week.  Parents must sit with their children and help their child work on the homework packets.  I imagine it takes at least a few hours of their time to supervise this, yes?  These parents are actually homeschooling!!!

Homeschooling is only a small portion of your day.  The rest of the time, you can do what you love - playing and being with your child.  Do art.  Go to the playground.  Take them to swim lessons.  Go grocery shopping.  Talk to them and teach them as you go about your day - just like you've been doing since they were a baby.

I will offer one caveat - in a way, homeschooling does take patience - not the "school" aspect, but because your child will be in the house with you a great deal of time.  You won't be able to send your child off somewhere for 6-8 hours a day - at least in these early years.  If your child hasn't been in school at all, you won't know any different because you're used to having your kids around 24/7.  If your child is in school, though, yup, it may take a little extra patience as you adjust.

Misconception #4 - I Wouldn't Know How or What To Teach My Child


Beyond the fact that you already are teaching your child because you are a parent, there is a lot of help out there these days.  There are thousands of homeschool websites and tons of great books.  For example, there's a book called "The Well Trained Mind" that literally outlines the curriculum for a classical education for every year - pre-school through 12.  There are also homeschool groups - look online - where other parents can help give you information and support.  In California, there is even more than that.  The State of California provides many options for homeschoolers.  Many school districts have "homeschool" divisions where you receive books, access to extracurricular activities, as well as the support of a credentialed teacher that you meet with once a month.  Another option here in California are "homeschool charter schools."  These are similar to the homeschool divisions of the public schools, but give you a pot of money with which to purchase curriculum, lessons, art supplies, anything you need to homeschoool.  Our family homeschools through a charter school called Visions (viedu.org) that gives us $1600 per child per school year, and allows us the pleasure of meeting with an amazing teacher who gives me ideas, support, and helps reassure me that I'm doing a great job as a homeschooling mama.

There's so much to say about homeschooling - it's truly an amazing way to live and parent.  If you're interested in learning more, I think a great place to start are some of the books that go over the basics. Here's some suggestions that helped me:

• The Homeschooling Handbook by Mary Griffith
• The First Year of Homeschooling Your Child by Linda Dobson
• Homeschooling: The Early Years.  Your Complete Guide to Homeschooling the 3 to 8 year old Child by Linda Dobson