FAQ for the New Homeschooler
Q: Is homeschooling legal? Do I have to have a college degree to homeschool?
A: In Michigan, you are not required to have a college degree to educate your children at home. However, each state has different laws. Please see our list of legal resources for more information.
Q: I am not patient/educated enough to homeschool my child. HOW do you do it?
A: Regarding higher-education or subjects you are not "good" at, there are lots of opportunities (such as Homeschool Co-op or tutoring) to have other people assist you with teaching these subjects. Regarding the patience required to homeschool: have you ever heard that expression: "God does not call the equipped, He equips the called?" Many a homeschooling parent will tell you this is the testimony of their particular homeschool experience.
Q: How can you afford having one parent stay home and educate the children?
A: If you are currently a two-income household and think homeschooling might be in your future, it is wise to begin living on one income as soon as possible and banking the other income in preparation for the "big switch". Of course, you could start homeschooling right away; not every homeschool family is able/willing to have one parent stay at home. In fact, there are single Moms who homeschool and employ sitters to be with their children during working hours. Be assured that if God is calling you to homeschool, HE will make a way for it to happen.
Q: What about socialization?
A: The answer to this question is a question: "What kind of socialization are you seeking for your child?" Traditional school ONLY guarantees that your child will be in a classroom full of children EXACTLY his/her own age for five days of the week. Alternately, a homeschooled child will often interact with people of varying ages and abilities throughout the school week as (s)he accompanies you to the bank and on your other errands. I ask you, which type of social interaction better equips the child to interact in the "real world"? (Here is a hint: how many people in your current working/social circle are EXACTLY your age?)
Of course, this is not to dismiss the value of forming friendships with those close to one's own age. As a homeschooler, you can, if you desire, be selective about with whom your child socializes, thereby ensuring that your child forms friendships only with children of like-minded families. If you are looking for more social opportunities for you child within his/her own peer group, you could consider joining a homeschool co-op, or an organization such as americanheritagegirls.org/ or Trail Life USA.
A: In Michigan, you are not required to have a college degree to educate your children at home. However, each state has different laws. Please see our list of legal resources for more information.
Q: I am not patient/educated enough to homeschool my child. HOW do you do it?
A: Regarding higher-education or subjects you are not "good" at, there are lots of opportunities (such as Homeschool Co-op or tutoring) to have other people assist you with teaching these subjects. Regarding the patience required to homeschool: have you ever heard that expression: "God does not call the equipped, He equips the called?" Many a homeschooling parent will tell you this is the testimony of their particular homeschool experience.
Q: How can you afford having one parent stay home and educate the children?
A: If you are currently a two-income household and think homeschooling might be in your future, it is wise to begin living on one income as soon as possible and banking the other income in preparation for the "big switch". Of course, you could start homeschooling right away; not every homeschool family is able/willing to have one parent stay at home. In fact, there are single Moms who homeschool and employ sitters to be with their children during working hours. Be assured that if God is calling you to homeschool, HE will make a way for it to happen.
Q: What about socialization?
A: The answer to this question is a question: "What kind of socialization are you seeking for your child?" Traditional school ONLY guarantees that your child will be in a classroom full of children EXACTLY his/her own age for five days of the week. Alternately, a homeschooled child will often interact with people of varying ages and abilities throughout the school week as (s)he accompanies you to the bank and on your other errands. I ask you, which type of social interaction better equips the child to interact in the "real world"? (Here is a hint: how many people in your current working/social circle are EXACTLY your age?)
Of course, this is not to dismiss the value of forming friendships with those close to one's own age. As a homeschooler, you can, if you desire, be selective about with whom your child socializes, thereby ensuring that your child forms friendships only with children of like-minded families. If you are looking for more social opportunities for you child within his/her own peer group, you could consider joining a homeschool co-op, or an organization such as americanheritagegirls.org/ or Trail Life USA.