2 days Ago
Homeschooling was never on my radar until it seemed like my only option at the time. We were living in a very rural town, and my daughter was ready to start kindergarten. I was uncomfortable sending her to the local public school, and the nearest private school was 45 minutes away, and very expensive.
Homeschooling seemed like our best option at the time. Now, 11 years later, we are still loving this lifestyle. And while it may not be the solution for everyone, it has definitely been the best choice for my family.
Homeschooling is on the rise in our country. According to an article by Alvin Parker on the website Prosperity for America , "Approximately 3.7 million students in the United States are homeschooled, accounting for 6.
37% of the students." Comparatively speaking, the number of homeschoolers in 2016 was 2.3 million.
The article goes on to say, "The most common cause for opting to homeschool is being uneasy with the school environment." Homeschooling during the year of 2020 may bring back joyful memories for some, and angst for others. But what needs to be understood is that the shutdown during the pandemic was not a good representation of what homeschooling truly looks like.
Everyone was thrown into it, regardless of time, preparation, or even a desire to do so. Parents were trying to figure out how to juggle a full time job with this newfound homeschool requirement. In reality, homeschooling doesn’t have to look like that at all.
True homeschooling varies, dependent on your home situation, number of children and the time and effort put forth into education. Parents who want to homeschool their children need to understand the laws and requirements in each state. If you’re interested in the possibility of homeschooling, it is valuable to do research and be aware your state’s homeschool laws and requirements.
If you live in South Carolina, the South Carolina Homeschooling Connection breaks down some of the requirements for you: The Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) website is very helpful as it explains how to comply with state law, instructions on how to withdraw your student from public school, public access for homeschoolers, special education provisions in the state, the importance of record keeping and more. Basically, there are three legal options for those living in SC: All of these options offer support and guidance, but they all have various requirements. The most popular option is option 3 of joining a registered homeschool association of your choice.
There are many to choose from, so make sure to read their expectations, and review their costs and requirements. Asking parents who have been doing this for a while is a wise and helpful thing to do when starting out. You will immediately have support and receive answers to your questions about the entire process.
There are many different ways to homeschool today. It is no longer an isolating lifestyle. There are many local homeschool groups, co-ops and even hybrids.
Some homeschool groups are simply designed for social activities and field trips. Others offer various classes to choose from and meet once a week. Hybrid schools choose the curriculum for you, and your child attends the school a certain number of days per week and works from home for the rest of the week.
Then the work is turned in, graded by teachers, and all parents must do is submit grades and records to their homeschool association. Use the online resources your state provides to find out about groups in your area. If there are many, ask if you can visit for a day and see what their typical day looks like.
Or find out when the group is hosting an open house where you can go and ask questions. This will help you decide which one is the right fit for you and your family. Since every child is unique, homeschooling gives parents the chance to teach them in a unique way and choose the curriculum, extra-curricular activities and schedule.
Here is an excerpt from the ebook I wrote titled "Where to Begin When you want to Homeschool, " published in January 2025: "One thing many homeschool moms have difficulty realizing is that homeschooling or unschooling will not look like regular public or private school, nor is it supposed to! You can have school literally anywhere. When we lived in our RV, we had many school days in our dining area, outside in our hammocks, outside using the wooden picnic tables, or at various places in town - libraries, coffee shops, parks, etc. Now that we are in a sticks-and-bricks home again, we have school in the sunroom, the living room and even in the car in between doctor appointments some days.
You can take breaks every hour or hour and a half and let the children play outside or make a snack. Remember, they are learning even when your textbooks aren’t open!" Since every child is unique, homeschooling gives you the chance to teach them in a unique way. The parent can choose the curriculum, extra-curricular activities, schedule, and more.
It gives a lot of the freedom and flexibility back to families. So, do the research and see what will work best for your family! If you decide to try homeschooling, just know that there is a group of parents ready to support you on this journey. Helpful Homeschooling Resources Book Recommendations to help you get started: Other websites:.
