As literacy and math proficiency rates continue to be at crisis levels in public schools throughout Wisconsin and the country, and as larger school districts have demonstrated that they do not have the will or perhaps the ability to teach our children effectively, there has been a ground-swell movement away from public education toward other alternatives. Homeschooling is one of the most popular and growing alternatives to the failing public school system. For those looking to learn more, following is an exchange with Lyn, a ‘recently retired’ homeschool mom.

Why did you decide to homeschool your children?

There were some problems associated with the school that one of my daughters was attending. Over time I considered homeschooling as a possibility, but it took a couple of years to gain the knowledge, confidence, and support to begin. After much prayer and research, I ultimately decided to start after I heard some very sound guidance: “Your child’s school ought to be an extension of what you’re trying to teach at home.” Since it was not, I knew it was time to bring my kids home.

If supporting one’s religious beliefs is not part of a parent’s motivation to homeschool, is homeschooling still worth the effort?

Absolutely. There are a multitude of benefits that come with homeschooling, but I’ll mention a couple. One is that homeschooling provides an amazing opportunity for strong sibling relationships and family unity. Someone once calculated that over the course of a child’s twelve schooling years, he or she is away from home for nearly 13,000 hours. If these hours are spent within the context of the family instead, we can imagine the difference this can make!

Another benefit that makes homeschooling worth the effort is that it puts the parent firmly in the driver’s seat. The homeschooling parent (or both) can decide on academic and non-academic content that they –not the school— consider relevant and appropriate.

If a parent is considering homeschooling, where does he/she start?

I always recommend praying first to discern God’s will. After that, I think talking to other families who homeschool is a wonderful way to get a firsthand look at how things work. Families considering homeschooling also need to check with their state’s home education requirements. (Wisconsin has been a great state to homeschool in! Wisconsin Homeschooling Parents Association has been so helpful over the years in terms of answering questions and providing support.) Next up is to explore teaching and curriculum options. There are so many that this is where talking with other families who homeschool comes in, particularly those with whom you are spiritually compatible.

What time commitments / teaching experience are required to homeschool?

One of the beautiful things about homeschooling is that the parent gets to decide how to allot homeschooling time, including which hours of the day and how many days per week. While much depends on the child’s grade and skill level, on the whole, much less time is spent when homeschooling due to the structure of the day at home versus that at a brick-and-mortar school. Plus, usually, no homework! The parent does need to commit time to research, preparation, and correction, of course.

I know parents who have left teaching careers to homeschool, and I know parents who never went to college. I’ve known both types to be excellent home educators! Not having professional teaching experience should not be a deterrent to homeschooling for at least two reasons. First, a parent’s desire and firm commitment to homeschool will almost certainly translate into a successful effort. Second, good homeschool curriculum is designed to help and guide the parent.

What challenges could a new homeschooling parent expect?

It can feel incredibly overwhelming at the beginning of the journey, especially if you do not know where to start, if your children are resistant to the idea, if you do not have a good support system, or if you have extremely high expectations. I also found that it was a little difficult to navigate the mom/teacher dichotomy. Yet this is where prayer and talking with seasoned homeschooling parents come in. If you discern that homeschooling is the right path, it is so calming to realize that each one of these challenges can be met!

What unexpected benefits could a homeschooling parent expect?

One thing I began to hear from those I knew –and from random people—is how well-behaved, kind, and respectful my children were. Another unexpected benefit is being able to give your children the opportunity to care for each other. It is so rewarding to watch older children help younger siblings with a school subject or to naturally take care of them. Another unexpected benefit is that because they are frequently around families of all ages, homeschooled children learn to communicate well with little ones, peers and adults alike. These are relationship opportunities (and life skills!) that are nurtured so well in a homeschool environment.

How does a homeschooling parent know if their child is achieving expected learning goals?

Particularly if a parent is bringing a child home from a brick-and-mortar school, it can be confusing trying to understand how the same learning goals can be met. However, as you get used to the rhythm of homeschooling, you discover that you can set and work within the context of your own learning goals. Generally speaking, though, using textbooks and other learning materials designed for your child’s particular age/grade level are a very good reference point.

What social outlets / experiences are available for homeschooled children?

I’ve been blessed with an outstanding homeschooling family network. Through this group, my kids have had many more social outlets and opportunities than we’ve had time for! To name just a few, there are park days, sports groups, teen nights, choir and band groups, and nature/art activities.

Lyn has produced a series of short, informative homeschooling videos. The link to those videos is: https://www.youtube.com/@activecatholic6933