Read my disclosure policy to understand how I work with companies and individuals. Linking to a specific site does not imply endorsement of all of their services or content.
If you have taken the plunge into homeschooling, you and your child are likely feeling a plethora of different, complex emotions. Mostly excitement, maybe a little apprehension—but don’t worry! The Mad Mommy is here to help.
Every family operates within a budget, and homeschooling families are no different. While you don’t have the budget a local school district might have in regards to field trips, extracurricular activities, etc., you still have a wide world you and your child can explore together on the cheap!
Remember that homeschooling your child is an adventure you take together, and an opportunity you both can take great advantage of. So make the most of it!
Supplement With Tutors
Odds are, you don’t have a Ph.D. in every subject in your child’s curriculum. It’s OK. While there are plenty of resources available online for free to help you make heads or tails out of any conceivable subject, investing some money in a tutor might be your best bet when it comes to helping your child get ahead.
You may be an ace at explaining the nuances of the French Revolution to your kid, but if Algebra is a serious sticking point for you, why go through the headache when you can outsource the lesson? If you try to power through something you just don’t understand (or care to understand), then you could be doing your child and yourself a great disservice.
There is no shame in enlisting some extra help now and then when it comes to homeschooling. After all, the priority ought to be on providing the best education you possibly can to your child.
Enroll Your Child in Extracurricular Activities
There may be no limit to your imagination when it comes to cooking up fun learning activities for you and your homeschooler. But as much as it might pain you to admit it, your child cannot develop EVERY tool they need in life under your sole tutelage, which is partly why I suggested you might want to consider tutors.
Another supplement more urgent to incorporate than outside tutors, however, are extracurricular activities! After all, students in traditional schooling situations are encouraged left and right to join activities outside the classroom. Why should they be deprived of the fun that comes with drama club or Brazilian jiu-jitsu just because they get their primary education elsewhere?
Remember that the education system prioritizes artistic pursuits and sports in early childhood for a reason. They are vital in the proper socialization and development of young people. Finding a sport or club for your homeschooler to join might be the costliest part of your homeschooling curriculum, but it is necessary.
Keep Kids Involved in the Process
Create a routine with the habits and needs of your child in mind. One of the greatest aspects of homeschooling is that it can (and should!) be tailored to your child’s unique learning style. With this in mind, you can consult with your child about their preferred learning style.
Because it is so important to keep a routine during the homeschooling process, you can start helping your child take a hands-on approach to their own education by consulting them about their preferred set up for each class day. In what environment would they prefer to learn? What length of breaks do they envision between lessons?
When you invite a child to participate in designing their education, they begin to take a vested interest in its success. An involved child is more apt to listen to you because they themselves feel listened to.
Find a Local Homeschooling Group
I can tell you first hand: finding a group of like-minded homeschooling parents changed my homeschooling strategy completely and for the better. A quick internet search should reveal a number of groups in your area, but if you can’t find one that fits your needs: START one!
Why am I so enthusiastic about homeschooling groups? They make me a better teacher for my children, which is (of course) the whole point of homeschooling. But, even more importantly, they make me a better parent. Being able to share the trials and tribulations of this strange, wonderful, and challenging journey means that I am not tempted to vent my frustrations and fears unto my children.
A good homeschooling group will be chock full of a diverse set of ethos and ideas about homeschooling and the best way to go about it. It will come as no surprise that homeschooling parents come in a variety of shapes and sizes—and so do their homeschooled children! Homeschooling groups offer another great way for your children to socialize and build friendships during the most important years of their life.
Remember to Take a Breather
Take time for yourself. You are not just a teacher or just a parent. You are you! Set aside an evening each week where you focus on just yourself for a little while. You and your kids will all notice a difference.
