A growing number of families are choosing to homeschool their children for a range of reasons. Some families choose this option due to their child having special needs, others make the decision so that they can enjoy more time as a family and focus more on their child’s academic and personal strengths.

Whatever your reason for choosing this avenue for your child’s education, it can present unique challenges within the family unit.

Some families will follow the school year and others will school year round, taking breaks when it suits them as a family, but for those families like ours  who follow the school year, we are gearing up to begin in September after enjoying a relaxing summer break.

Whether you home school, un-school or are de-schooling here are some tips for you and your family:

If this is your first year homeschooling, or you have been doing it for years, you may struggle with the following:

1.       The socialization question:
   Many families who homeschool will face questions from family, friends and even strangers with regards to how their children learn social skills being educated at home. This can be an upsetting question to hear depending on how it is approached. Parents, generally speaking, want the best for their children and have already taken this into consideration. The home school community is growing and there are many groups, pods and activities for children to enjoy healthy socialization.  If someone asks you about this aspect, try not to get defensive, be confident in the decision you have made as a family and understand that not everyone is going to understand or support the choices you are making for your family. You know your child better than anyone else and not everyone is going to understand all the reasons behind choosing to educate your child yourself.
2.       Carving out time for yourself and being gentle with yourself:
   This is made even more challenging if you are homeschooling a child with special needs. It can feel overwhelming to balance educating your child, managing the responsibilities at home, maybe working outside of the home and finding space in your home that is separate for schooling. Some advice would be:
   – Make sure to surround yourself with positive people who can uplift you on this journey,
   – Connect with other home school families to learn from them, especially families who have been doing this for longer,
   – Remember the goal is not to replicate school, homeschooling is unique and can be tailored to your family, if you choose to take time during the week where you aren’t “formally” schooling and spend time enjoying the outdoors or planning fun learning experiences, it can give the whole family a mental break.
   – Try to take some of the pressure off of yourself. Whilst homeschooling is a big responsibility and your child’s education is extremely important, remember the reasons why you made this choice and how this benefits your child. Consider writing down your reasons for making this choice so you can refer back to it on days that seem overwhelming.
3.       Do your research with curriculum options:
   There are many homeschool support groups on Facebook and in each community, be open to asking questions and seeking advice from those who have different experiences. You know your child best so explain your child’s learning style and interests and you would be amazed just how many options there are. Also, don’t be afraid to pivot, even during a school year, if you feel it is not the right fit. There are also lots of free options and free trials with certain curriculums so take advantage of those options whilst you look for the right one.
4.       Don’t sweat the small stuff:
   Part of the appeal of home schooling is having flexibility, so it’s important to realize that even on the less productive days, your child is learning. Home school can turn every experience into an educational one, things as simple as cooking together, planning the grocery list or budget, going on a hike can all turn into educational experiences. If you or your child is having a tough day, learn to let things go. Nothing about homeschooling is set in stone and it’s not supposed to be a stressful experience for any of you. The appeal of homeschooling is to show your child that they can always learn and to foster a love of learning. Children love to learn through play and experiences, so don’t be afraid to set the books to one side occasionally and get creative!
5.       Have fun with it:
   Being able to witness your child learning new concepts and supporting them with their education is an honour and a privilege. It can be easy to get bogged down and to overthink the day-to-day, but remember to take a step back and enjoy as much of it as possible. The years go by so quickly, try to have fun with it and know that your child is not expecting you to be perfect.

Ultimately, as is the case with raising children in general, it’s always easier when you surround yourself with a “village”. In order to prevent overwhelm, it is important to make sure you have a team of people on your side who can provide the following:

• A listening ear,
• Guidance and advice,
• Support – whether that is meeting an emotional or physical need,
• A break or a chance to be something other than parent and educator!

If you are working outside of the home as well as homeschooling, find time where someone else can come in and give you a much needed break. If you and your partner are sharing the homeschooling responsibilities, find time to connect as a couple where it isn’t just about the kids and their education.

It’s a journey and there is no right or wrong way of doing it. It can take years to find a rhythm that works for your family, but as long as you remember the reasons you are doing this and as long as you understand that there is no such thing as perfection, you will be able to enjoy the freedom and joy that comes with home education.