The Importance of Homeschool Support Networks

Homeschooling is becoming more main stream.  This does not mean that if you decide to homeschool

your children that everyone you know will be in favor of this educational method.  It is very important when you

decide to homeschool that you have a good support system in place.

The first level of your support system is the people who share your home.  Homeschooling is not just an educational system but a lifestyle.  Undoubtedly the decision to homeschool your child or children will affect

the way that your household runs.  Meals may be prepared and served at a different time than the family is accustomed to, your kitchen table may become the school desk. Even if your chosen curriculum is online there will undoubtedly be more paper, more books, and more mess than you might be used to.  Many families notice that the house doesn’t stay as straight and tidy when the housekeeper is also the teacher, there is just a limit to the number of hours in a day. 

If the people who share your home do not share yourhomeschooling vision, then you are less likely to be able to homeschool successfully.  It requires considerable commitment to homeschool children, from the preparation of lessons, to the grading of work, and even participating in field trips can have effect on the daily schedule.  Also consider the

financial effect of one parent staying home to educate the children.  If this commitment cannot be agreed upon,

then the homeschooling adventure is almost assured of failure.

The second level of support that will improve the chances of homeschooling success is extended family.  While this level of support is not as vital as the primary family level of support, it is still important to consider.  When the grandparents, aunts, and uncles of the students are not supportive of the homeschooling idea it provides a source of friction with the parents that makes homeschooling more difficult. 

Having extended family support for homeschooling has other benefits besides just happy family relations. 

Consider how beneficial having substitute teachers can be in your homeschool.  Or babysitters, when your older child gets the opportunity to participate in a field trip, or class where younger siblings are not allowed.  This

level of support is important to the children and it is important to the parents.  It is a good thing to have a built in cheering section, and a ready-made pep squad, because homeschooling is hard work, and does not always go as planned. 

The third level of support is no less important than the second level but is listed separately.  This level of support in homeschooling is the homeschool group.  This is the extended group of homeschooling families.  These families contain the children that will be your children’s peers, and the adults that will be your peers.  If you are very lucky you might actually find close friends among the parents, remember that these families already share something in common with you in that they homeschool. 

These people will be the people you go on field trips with.  If you are new to homeschooling, these will be the people who help you understand the homeschooling laws in your locality.  These will be the homeschooling moms who remind you to relax, and enjoy the journey that ishomeschooling.  They will hold your hand during the trying times, and pat you on the back when you experience a success.  They will cheer your triumphs and offer solutions when you hit roadblocks. 

And finally, don’t discount “virtual” support groups.  There will be times when you hit a snag that none of your local group has experienced, or they have solved it in a method that you do not believe will work with your family.  At that point, don’t hesitate to hit the internet.  There are a great number of forums available on the internet that deal with many homeschooling and educational issues.  You can find kindred spirits online, whether they share your curriculum, or your religious beliefs, or their children have the same learning issue that yours do. 

You can homeschool in a vacuum but it is much easier to homeschool with a support network.  Don’t hesitate to add local museums and park systems to your list of resources.  While they might not technically be considered support, any individual or group that facilitates your homeschooling endeavor should be considered part of your support network.