As a home schooling mom, I'm often asked what qualifications are necessary for home school education. Most of us aren't teachers, and it's a big responsibility to teach your children a wide range of subjects from English to algebra.
But in my opinion, there is only one qualification: the burning desire to take complete responsibility for your child’s education.
This may be a straightforward answer, but it is not a simple answer. Most parents have great obstacles to overcome before they can take on the task of home schooling, including developing or choosing a home schooling curriculum. Without a deep-seated desire to home school, these obstacles would be insurmountable.
A parent of a child with learning disabilities must be willing to do the research necessary to educate her child effectively. It takes an enormous amount of time, energy, and patience to teach these children.
As a mother of dyslexic and attention deficit disorder (ADD) children, I can attest that it's not easy. However, I am motivated knowing that the one-on-one attention that my children receive will benefit them, both academically and emotionally.
Single parents have their own challenges. They must be able to make special arrangements for their children. The single parents I have met employ a family member as primary caregiver, usually a grandmother. Parents provide direct instruction during their off-hours and children do independent work at the caregiver’s home.
For a parent who did not receive a good formal education herself, she must be willing to learn alongside her children. There are many home study schools and special curricula available to help.
Since most home schooling families rely on one income and must purchase their own books and materials, financial burdens can be an obstacle. Parents can find creative ways to meet the challenge, from frugal living to starting a home business. If the purchase of textbooks cannot be squeezed into the budget, the library provides a bounty of resources. I know several home schooling families who visit the public library several times a week.
So are you a good candidate for home schooling? You may have to overcome any obstacle that life throws in your path and to give up many of the comforts that you now enjoy. But if you have a burning desire to take on your child’s academic education personally, I think home schooling might be for you.
Maureen Whittmann is a mom and freelance writer.