I have spent countless hours typing and deleting thoughts I wanted to share with you. I was staring at a blank word document for more than 30 minutes wishing not to be judged by fellow parents or even non-parents out there. I couldn’t utter a word as I felt like I was in denial that we’ve failed to homeschool our children.
I originally planned to write sort of a “how-to” article about homeschooling but it wouldn’t make any sense if we were not practicing what we preach.
What is Homeschooling?
There are a lot of definitions for homeschooling. The majority defines it as a program for individuals who don’t have ample time to enroll in a school, like celebrities or people with health problems. While others define it as a more affordable learning program.
Generally, homeschooling is a progressive teaching movement in which parents educate their children at home with the corresponding curriculum either by an institution or independently.
Why did we homeschool, you ask? Well, we opted for homeschooling primarily because we believed that our children could do better with experiential learning than following a systemized education system. At that time, we felt that our children wouldn’t get the “best of everything.” And by “best of everything” we meant, that their learning isn’t jeopardized when there are no classes due to government mandated holidays and calamities demonstrated by conventional schools.
Through homeschooling, we’ve learned our kids are keen to details. Unlike me, LOL.
So, we enrolled our children in one of the schools that offer a homeschool program.
For two consecutive school years, we did great. As we progress, our children’s learning attitude and personalities developed genuinely. They prospered beyond our expectations. They are well-rounded and articulate.
Unfortunately, as parents, who are supposed “teachers,” we met our trials and tribulations that we couldn’t deal with anymore. Change is indeed inevitable.
Benefits of Homeschooling
In a succinct manner, homeschooling is beneficial to everyone. In Finland, homeschooling is well-accepted. Kids aren’t stressed and according to an article shared by the Dailymail.co.uk, education experts believed that “children should not start school until age six or seven.” In short, it might be overwhelming for our children if we follow the traditional system. But, that’s just us.
There are five staple benefits of homeschooling:
You have the freedom to choose what to teach your children. You get to choose the curriculum to follow.
Demonstrate that education is fun and not boring.
Develop a special bond between you and your children.
Opportunity to teach them skills and values in life.
Alternatively, if you are thinking of homeschooling your child/children, you are on the right path. Just allow me to share with you critical questions to consider before trying the progressive learning program.
4 Critical Questions to Ask Yourself Before Homeschooling
Question 1: Are you mentally and emotionally ready?
I won’t sugarcoat it anymore – teaching your own child is dreadful. It’s not a walk in the park. There are victorious moments but most of it could be trying times. Home isn’t conducive for working and learning. While it may sound beneficial, you have to be mentally and emotionally ready.
If you think you are ready for this, please, by all means, homeschool your child or children. You will see the difference.
Question 2: What is your ultimate goal in homeschooling them?
Again, are you homeschooling them because you are “enticed” with the idea? Or the goal is to surpass their abilities in learning? Either way set a realistic goal in homeschooling. I suggest writing down ALL the pros and cons of it. Set aside a day – that both of you are not stressed – so you can talk efficiently about it.
Remember, set realistic goals only. Do not pattern your goals to other homeschooling parents, because to each his own.
Question 3: Do you have enough patience to teach your child/children?
Not to judge you or anything, but yes, patience is a fundamental skill in homeschooling – in everything actually. In an interview with a fellow homeschooler mom, she shared a meaningful advice.
Here it is:
It’s more difficult to teach your own child than the child/ren of other people. Children will view us more of a parent, not a teacher, so the child will really test our patience just like the way they test us (e.g. while eating, while taking a bath, while on the road, etc.). If you can further extend your patience while studying lessons, then you can try homeschooling. Donna Donor, blogger, homeschooler mom to Kib, the former pre-school teacher.
Our children aren’t 30 years old. So, don’t expect them to learn things right away. Dennis Poliquit, homeschooler dad, DJ at 103.5 K.Lite
Taken during the Educating for Life, Homeschool conference last 2014. (Photo credit: MRLightWorkz Photography)
Question 4: Do you have a strong support system?
As work at home parents, having our own tribe and support system helped us get through those difficult times. Let’s face it, homeschooling, among others, is something our society doesn’t know fully yet. We need more advocates about this so parents who are looking to homeschool their children have someone to lean to.
Amazingly, aside from your family and friends, you may want to:
visit Homeschooling Association of the Philippine Islands (HAPI) website.
Photo credit: Edric Mendoza
Founder Edric Mendoza and his adorable family. HAPI is an organization composed of homeschooling families, as well as various accredited schools who offer home school programs.
find other homeschoolers in your area
visit and check out the page, Homeschoolers of the Philippines
follow other parent bloggers like my dear friend and someone we look up to, May of the fullyhousewifed.com. Tina Rodriguez of Trulyrichandblessed.com, Donna Donor of homeschoolingkib.blogspot.com, Michelle Padrelanan, who homeschools her four children, just to name a few.
Essentially, even if you are not a work at home parent, find someone who will support your endeavor. It’s vital.
Now, probably the most interesting part of this article is about the misconceptions or myths about homeschooling.
Millie is currently working as the Features Editor for WhenInManila.com. She loves to collaborate, organize workshops, photography, cook, and eat. When she’s not busy, she reads and travels with the family to discover beautiful places. She also believes that it is only when you get out of your comfort zone that you will truly realize who you are.
Confession: We Tried Homeschooling But It Wasn’t For Us
I have spent countless hours typing and deleting thoughts I wanted to share with you. I was staring at a blank word document for more than 30 minutes wishing not to be judged by fellow parents or even non-parents out there. I couldn’t utter a word as I felt like I was in denial that we’ve failed to homeschool our children.
I originally planned to write sort of a “how-to” article about homeschooling but it wouldn’t make any sense if we were not practicing what we preach.
What is Homeschooling?
There are a lot of definitions for homeschooling. The majority defines it as a program for individuals who don’t have ample time to enroll in a school, like celebrities or people with health problems. While others define it as a more affordable learning program.
Generally, homeschooling is a progressive teaching movement in which parents educate their children at home with the corresponding curriculum either by an institution or independently.
Why did we homeschool, you ask? Well, we opted for homeschooling primarily because we believed that our children could do better with experiential learning than following a systemized education system. At that time, we felt that our children wouldn’t get the “best of everything.” And by “best of everything” we meant, that their learning isn’t jeopardized when there are no classes due to government mandated holidays and calamities demonstrated by conventional schools.
Through homeschooling, we’ve learned our kids are keen to details. Unlike me, LOL.
So, we enrolled our children in one of the schools that offer a homeschool program.
For two consecutive school years, we did great. As we progress, our children’s learning attitude and personalities developed genuinely. They prospered beyond our expectations. They are well-rounded and articulate.
Unfortunately, as parents, who are supposed “teachers,” we met our trials and tribulations that we couldn’t deal with anymore. Change is indeed inevitable.
Benefits of Homeschooling
In a succinct manner, homeschooling is beneficial to everyone. In Finland, homeschooling is well-accepted. Kids aren’t stressed and according to an article shared by the Dailymail.co.uk, education experts believed that “children should not start school until age six or seven.” In short, it might be overwhelming for our children if we follow the traditional system. But, that’s just us.
There are five staple benefits of homeschooling:
You may want to read this article of one of our contributors about homeschooling: What Homeschooling Has Taught Me About Life, Plus Statements from Other Homeschoolers
Alternatively, if you are thinking of homeschooling your child/children, you are on the right path. Just allow me to share with you critical questions to consider before trying the progressive learning program.
4 Critical Questions to Ask Yourself Before Homeschooling
Question 1: Are you mentally and emotionally ready?
I won’t sugarcoat it anymore – teaching your own child is dreadful. It’s not a walk in the park. There are victorious moments but most of it could be trying times. Home isn’t conducive for working and learning. While it may sound beneficial, you have to be mentally and emotionally ready.
If you think you are ready for this, please, by all means, homeschool your child or children. You will see the difference.
Question 2: What is your ultimate goal in homeschooling them?
Again, are you homeschooling them because you are “enticed” with the idea? Or the goal is to surpass their abilities in learning? Either way set a realistic goal in homeschooling. I suggest writing down ALL the pros and cons of it. Set aside a day – that both of you are not stressed – so you can talk efficiently about it.
Remember, set realistic goals only. Do not pattern your goals to other homeschooling parents, because to each his own.
Question 3: Do you have enough patience to teach your child/children?
Not to judge you or anything, but yes, patience is a fundamental skill in homeschooling – in everything actually. In an interview with a fellow homeschooler mom, she shared a meaningful advice.
Here it is:
Question 4: Do you have a strong support system?
As work at home parents, having our own tribe and support system helped us get through those difficult times. Let’s face it, homeschooling, among others, is something our society doesn’t know fully yet. We need more advocates about this so parents who are looking to homeschool their children have someone to lean to.
Amazingly, aside from your family and friends, you may want to:
Photo credit: Edric Mendoza
Founder Edric Mendoza and his adorable family. HAPI is an organization composed of homeschooling families, as well as various accredited schools who offer home school programs.
Essentially, even if you are not a work at home parent, find someone who will support your endeavor. It’s vital.
Now, probably the most interesting part of this article is about the misconceptions or myths about homeschooling.
Continue reading on page 2.
Related
About The Author
Millie is currently working as the Features Editor for WhenInManila.com. She loves to collaborate, organize workshops, photography, cook, and eat. When she’s not busy, she reads and travels with the family to discover beautiful places. She also believes that it is only when you get out of your comfort zone that you will truly realize who you are.