I will continue to address people’s fears, concerns, and questions about homeschooling. The closure of schools in the middle of the 2019-2020 school year put many people into an unexpected and unwanted position of homeschooling their children.
And many people have discovered that it’s something they are enjoying. Homeschooling allows you to enjoy your children without rushing them off in the mornings, getting them home in the evenings to attend sports or after school activities, then hurry through homework only to put them to bed and do it all over again tomorrow.
Homeschooling allows you to share breakfast in the mornings, read together, learn together, and even do household chores together. It allows you to know exactly what your children are learning and gives you so much more time to spend on interests, hobbies, and exercise.
The biggest question I hear is “What if I mess up?”
Well, let’s go with worst case scenario. Have you heard of the book “Educated” by Tara Westover?
Her family is one of extremes. They did not send their children to school, didn’t allow them to interact with the community, and never properly schooled any of the children.
“Four of my parents’ seven children don’t have birth certificates. We have no medical records because we were born at home and have never seen a doctor or nurse. We have no school records because we’ve never set foot in a classroom.”
I don’t think this will be your approach to providing your children an education, a social life, nor a banishment of all things in society. So how did she turn out, given this “failure” of her parents to provide her with a proper education?
She self-educated, gained entrance to college, and now has a PhD.
What does that tell you?
If you miss a few spelling words, or if you don’t read every story, or if your child doesn’t memorize their multiplication tables by 3rd grade, will they be destined to a life of failure?
Of course not. We, as human beings, are capable of anything we put our minds to. Simply raising your children to be good citizens, helpful to others, and people who can achieve their goals is a win in the parenting and homeschooling department.
So don’t focus on “what if I do it wrong?”
Instead, focus on “Look at all the things we CAN do together!”
Happy homeschooling!!
Dr Vet Sonya 