How Do I Know If I Should Homeschool My Kids?

Today my good friend, Kimberly Vogel, is going to help answer a question that I am asked very often; "Should I homeschool my children."  

Truth is, I don't homeschool and never ever considered it with my sons.  I'm not opposed to it, I just think the answer is different for every person. So today, I asked Kimberly (a homeschooling mom) if she would answer the question from her perspective as someone who does, in fact, homeschool.

I know you'll enjoy her candid insights.

“Should I Homeschool?”

If I had a quarter for every time that question reached my ears, I would be able to afford to homeschool. It’s actually a trick question. The asker of the question is the only one able to answer it.

I am a proponent of homeschooling, yet I do not believe everyone should do it.

Usually, if someone is asking the question, there is a reason.  And it’s the reason behind the question that’s important. I came up with a few possible reasons people might ask the question, though it’s by no means a full list, (just enough to get you thinking!)

A Few Possible Reasons People Choose to Homeschool

1. “It’s the new, affordable private school.” The last time I checked, tuition at private schools in our area resembles college tuition. Seriously. If public school isn’t working for your child, you have to be pretty well off to put a few kiddos in the private schools around here. I don’t know about you, but I don’t have over $50,000 to drop on my children’s education for this next year. (Yes, I checked. That’s how much it would cost my family at a local, affordable private school.) 

That being said, homeschooling is not cheap. It can be. But the programs that are “Free” require an incredible amount of legwork. The average family spends $400 per child per year. Not including outside classes or extra activities. It adds up. Did you know you can outsource (homeschool classes someone else teaches your child) ALL of your child’s classes for $2,000-$4,000 a year (high school level) in the area I live.

2. “Everyone’s doing it.” Homeschooling is growing rapidly. The amount of support and opportunities out there for homeschoolers is amazing. People look around and think, if she can doit , I can. But remember, not everyone should. Just because others are jumping off the homeschool bridge doesn’t mean you should. And if you homeschool for this reason, you will be jumping off the bridge. (Or throwing your children off of it.)

3. “Have you seen public schools lately? I think my child will do really well at home.” If that’s the case, start researching your options. Talk to other homeschool families. Ask your child what he/she thinks. It’s a big decision. While I pulled my daughter from public school over night, my husband and I had actually considered it for over a year.

4.  “My child is headed down the wrong path and I want to restore their heart.” I’ll be blunt on this one. Heart issues in children usually are there due to heart issues in parents. If you homeschool for this reason, your heart will need to change first. Then change will possibly happen in your child. If this is the case, your focus needs to be less on education and more on character development. (For example: Choose literature books with high spiritual character development such as Lamplighter and hold off on some of the popular books or even the classics. For Science, look for a curriculum with strong Biblical references.)

5.  “I feel like this is what I’m called to do.” 
Then be obedient. God equips those He calls. I’ve always loved the idea of homeschooling. If I had tried it when my oldest was starting Kindergarten, it would’ve been disastrous. I wasn’t ready. She wasn’t ready. It was not the path God had for us – at that time. When it was time, it was a beautiful, healing time. Not really. It was a healing time, but IT. WAS. HARD. It still is. Now, I feel like it is my calling. I’m obedient. God equips me every day. I fail (a lot) but we get back up and keep going. For us, it's worth it. 

But that’s my story. Yours is… well, yours. One I would love to hear. Let us hear from you!

Kimberly Vogel is new to blogging, but not to writing. She is working on her first book, a children’s Bible study and picture book which will be published later this year.  She home schools her four daughters and is very active with the children’s ministry at her church. When she’s not teaching, serving, or writing you might just find a crochet hook or knitting needle in her hand. Check out her latest activities on her blog http://www.kimberlyvogel.wordpress.com.