5 Reasons You Should Not Homeschool

To be totally honest, we're only about a year into homeschooling so perhaps I'm still a newbie on this. In the era of Instagram & Youtube where we're bombarded with beautiful photos, tour videos, day-in-the-life content etc it's pretty easy for you to over romanticise the idea of homeschooling. I worked in PR & Marketing for years so the internet is a VERY familiar territory for me lol. Either ways if you're considering homeschooling your children, here are a few points to debunk before going this path...

Do not homeschool if...

1. you do not have patience
2. you're looking for an easy way to save money on school tuition
3. you're not ready to commit 110% of your time
4. you're too concerned about public opinion
5. you're not passionate about education

Now here's the break down...

• Patience: You've got to pray for this attribute- because trust me you're going to need ALOT of it. We all love our children so dearly and want the best for them always; but children are children and most times will need our help focusing on academics. Having patience will help open you up to what actually makes your child tick. For example; you're teaching something he/she totally understood yesterday but they seem to have forgotten today and you're getting frustrated. Wait a second, don't get upset; if you take your time to investigate, you may discover maybe the child is tired or bored and they're struggling to concentrate. Rather take a 5mins break, let him/her take a quick nap (after all you're home), come back and voila! he's refreshed and ready to roll again.

• Saving Money: No, homeschooling is not cheap. It can actually be a very expensive adventure depending on what curriculum and extra curriculum activities you have planned for your children. Resources could range from free curriculum materials to premium ones. Whenever you're stuck, just go back and think through your reason for homeschooling as well as what outcome you're looking for. An important piece of this journey we normally for get about is costing the time you're investing. Time is money they say ;) 

• 110% Commitment:  For maximum benefits. you've got to go into this all out! A lack of commitment will not give you your desired results. I like to compare homeschooling to running a startup; it may take time to before you see profits, but you'll need to immerse yourself in the journey, work hard, be consistent and enjoy the journey. Without commitment, you're likely not going to succeed.

• Public Opinion: If you're going to spend your time worrying about what others have to say about your decision, then you probably should not do this. Here's the truth, people will judge you, question your motive & eligibility, qualifications etc because well, people like to do that. Like any meaningful life decision, if you feel called or have the conviction to go on this journey with your family, be confident that God will direct you, no 2 families have the same goals. God's got a unique plan for each family. 

• Passion: There are days when you'll question your decision, and wonder why at all you're doing this. The absence of passion for homeschooling will frustrate you. You've got to love it, and know that homeschooling is a lifestyle and not some temporary thing you do to get by.  

It is my prayer that you find what works best for your family; whether it's regular school or homeschooling. If God has put this burden on your heart, then evaluate your goals and objectives for wanting to homeschool, make time to pray about it, seek His direction and trust me He will make all things beautiful :)

Is there a particular topic you want me to address? please let me know in the comments section.