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Support for Weary HomeschoolersHow to Find Help Teaching Your Children at Home
Although homeschooling is worth the time spent doing it, it's much more enjoyable when you get support from others. Rather than burn-out, learn how to get help.
Sacrificing your time to homeschool your children is a worthy act of love. But too often homeschoolers grow tired. Unless they get needed physical and emotional support from others, it’s easy to give up. Here are a few ways to get support when you teach your children at home. Hire Professional EducatorsIf you have the financial means to hire a professional teacher (or teachers), this is an excellent way to get help with homeschooling. That’s what Linda U., a North Georgia mother of seven did. At a fall get-together at her home last year, she introduced her children's teachers to her guests, noting how she'd been blessed by them and how they'd become friends with the entire family. Perhaps a retired teacher in your church or neighborhood would be either willing to work for you, part-time or full time. Instead of subbing in a public school classroom, she (or he) wouldn’t have to put up with the discipline problems of twenty plus kids. It’s also a good idea as it gives your children an opportunity to be with someone other than their mom all day. Solicit Grandparents’ HelpIf you have retired parents who live near you and want to help, why not solicit their help. Often older people are even more patient than moms and dads who are with their children 24/7. Taping into their years of experiences and knowledge, you offer your children a living textbook. For example, when studying history, have the grandparents tell first-hand stories of events in the 1950s or Vietnam War. Even if your parents don’t feel comfortable teaching subject material, they can still be a valuable asset assisting either one-on-one, or just helping out as a teacher’s aide would in a public school. If you have babies and preschoolers, grandparents could help with housework and babysitting while you teach your children. Besides giving them something to do, it will make them feel younger and needed, as well as keep them learning, alongside their grandchildren. Join a Homeschool Support GroupYou can find support online wherever you live. Also, network with others in your community or church that homeschool. Arrange for regular get-togethers where you and other homeschooling moms meet to not only share ideas, but also befriend and pray for one another. Team TeachJust as in public schools, some homeschoolers are networking with others to team teach their children. For example, two homeschoolers who live close to each another could switch classes for language arts and math. Of course this works out better if you’re in the same neighborhood, but if you live a little further, then maybe you could teach reading and writing on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays with the math mom driving her kids to the your home. Then, the math mom takes over, giving you a break. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, reverse homes, team-teaching subjects such as science and history. This also affords more socialization for the children. And, amazingly, it seems most homeschooled families are larger than average, so you already have a classroom full of kids. Subscribe to Homeschooling PeriodicalsBy searching online you can find an abundance of homeschool periodicals, both online, as well as print magazines where you can get ideas for academics, as well as receive new ideas to find support and encouragement. Finally, even if you are fortunate enough to get support from extended family members and other homeschoolers, realize that there will still be days that don’t go as well as others. But don’t throw in the towel. Know that other homeschoolers have bad days, too. The next day will probably be better.
The copyright of the article Support for Weary Homeschoolers in Homeschooling is owned by Venice Kichura. Permission to republish Support for Weary Homeschoolers in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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