Many families are making the decision to remove their children from the public school system to homeschool. The reasons vary among these families but the challenges they face are similar. The transition is often a reaction to something that occurred in the system like bullying or an issue with a teacher or the school wanting to put a child on medication. For some the decision was not dramatic but something the parents kicked around for awhile and decided would be best for their family. Sometimes the reasons bring about challenges within homeschooling but more often than not it is a school mentality that brings the issues. Many parents want to reinvent the public school in their home. The children all of a sudden feel a sense of freedom from not being a system and feel home is not accountability enough to get math done on time. How do you face these challenges?
Consider Your Child: If you removed your child from school due to bullying or issues which caused emotional stress then take some time to heal. Allow your child a time to recover from any abuse she received in school. There is no reason to begin studies the day after taking the child out of school. Give your child a few days to a week to get a handle on a new life and grasp the idea of learning at home. Once you begin school focus on character studies, unit studies which interest the child, and providing a low stress and loving environment. Allow your child to find what she is good at and then nurture that to give her back some self esteem.
De-school: Homeschooling and public schooling are apples and oranges. They share a common thread but in the larger tapestry you will hardly recognize it. Trying to reinvent a school environment will only cause your child to find loopholes or think “there is no principal, teacher, record, real grades, or detention time to fear.” The more you try to correlate the more your child will feel it is a pretend school. Find your homeschool method and educational theme. Shake it up and be the captain of your own educational ship.
Find Support: Find support and advice from online or offline homeschooling moms. Online you will find plenty of homeschool forums, blogs, Facebook pages willing to guide you. Offline seek out homeschool groups and co-ops. Let them know you are new to homeschooling and would like some guidance and advice. I promise you that you will find plenty of moms willing to help. Homeschooling is a passion and one we who do it love to share.
Homeschooling Middle School Kids