Can I Homeschool as a Single Parent?

There is no shame in being a single parent. The circumstances of life are diverse and not at all times pleasant. There are many parents who find themselves alone in the pursuit of homeschooling a child – for a multitude of reasons. But we want you to be assured that it absolutely can be accomplished successfully, and that there are many others in your situation, as well as resources to back you up in your endeavor.

When you are suddenly forced to both provide income and school your children, the task at hand can seem all the more daunting. For Mary Jo Tate of Single Parents at Home, it all became about finding a new sense of “normal” as well as the additional income. “I was deeply committed to remaining at home with my children and continuing to homeschool them,” she commented, “yet I really wondered how I could support us all financially.”

Striking a Balance

The single parent must find the solution to two very important problems: providing financial income and securing their own emotional support. The emotional support is an extremely important aspect, and one that should not be shuffled to the bottom of the pile because it seems less important. You have to be taking care of yourself in order to be the best homeschool parent possible for your child. At times, you will need to put YOU first. So flush away the guilt early.

A New Sense of Normal

You will be amazed at the versatility and the ability of your children to adapt to a new set of circumstances. Key points to keep in mind while planning the HOW TO’s:

1. The flexibility afforded by homeschooling. Who says school needs to commence weekday mornings at 9 am? Instruction hours can be completed in the evenings after work and on the weekends.

2. Utilizing any and all resources. This means friends, family members, and neighbors who could help you. Put your pride to the side and be willing to lean upon others at times. Put yourself in their shoes, and realize that you would most certainly help them if THEY needed it, without hesitation.

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Source: Crosswalk | Jessica Parnell, HomeschoolingHelp.com