As with most things in life, there are both pros and cons to homeschooling your child, and in the end, it will come down to what is best for you and your child in your current situation.
However, you need to understand that if you do go the homeschooling route, you will likely face many challenges as both a parent and an educator, and you need to be prepared for these. That’s why we’ve put together a list of things that you may find helpful if you decide to homeschool your child.
Set up a classroom
It’s important not to get so caught up in the “home” part of homeschool that you forget all about the “school” part.
In other words, there needs to be a clear division between your child’s academic life and their personal life. If this division isn’t there, it can be hard for them to separate the two, which could lead to issues in the same way that an improper work-life balance can affect adults.
The easiest way to help your child balance the two is to set up a classroom dedicated to their homeschooling. Of course, you can still take advantage of the fact that this is your home by decorating it however you want and making it fun with items like alternative seating for classrooms.
Set up a schedule
You’ll notice that there is a running theme throughout this post, and that is balance. Because it can be hard to juggle both an academic and personal life in the same environment, it’s important to balance the two – but we’ll talk more about that soon.
For now, you need to understand that, even though your child will be studying at home, they still need the structure that a school can offer them. Children thrive off routine, so setting up a schedule for which subjects they need to do on which days can help them, and it will also help you stay on top of things. If needed, you can use one day a week to work on things that your child may struggle with, such as their reading skills.
Be patient
Many homeschooling parents haven’t had formal training on how to be a teacher, which means they may not know how to handle feelings such as frustration when a child can’t get something right.
However, if you want to make your homeschooling venture a success, you will need to work on your patience. Remember that you will likely slip up and have bad days and that it will be a learning curve for you as well, so you need to be understanding and patient towards your child so that they will extend the same courtesy to you.
Find balance
As mentioned, it’s all about balance. And let’s face it; it can be incredibly hard to be both a parent and a teacher, especially because the lines can get blurry.
After all, as a teacher, you won’t want to let a student be late for class, but as a parent, you may be willing to let your child sleep in – so where do you draw the line? The best way to find a balance between these two roles is to create clear rules and boundaries for a school environment and another for the home environment. Of course, there will be times where these things may overlap, in which case you simply need to try to be firm but not too strict.
Communicate
Teachers and students may not communicate much on a personal level, but parents and their children should. This is one aspect of homeschooling where you need to let the two aspects merge a little bit – you should communicate with your child not only about their personal life but also how they are finding their homeschooling setup.
They may struggle with your teaching style, in which case you need to talk about it and figure out something that works for both of you. Supporting your child’s communication skills is something that should be done from a young age.
In conclusion
Homeschooling your child can be tough for both of you, but it can also be incredibly rewarding. You will be able to spend more time with your child, see them progress, and understand them on a level that most parents don’t get to see.
Of course, homeschooling isn’t for everyone, and if it isn’t working for you or your child, there’s no shame in considering other options. It’s all about finding what’s best for everyone involved.
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