So many friends are asking me about homeschooling these days. The pandemic seems like the perfect time to start homeschooling. If you’ve been on the fence about homeschooling for a while, now is the time to give it a try. Your risk is low and the benefits of homeschooling during COVID19 are many!
When the pandemic first became a thing, we had just enjoyed a nice bonfire with friends. The next day the entire United States suddenly realized that COVID19 was real and present danger. The realization literally hit us overnight, didn’t it? Parents and schools everywhere started grappling with the question – what do we do now? And for many of us, at least some of the answers to that question have been dictated by our state and local governments. Schools went virtual, sports seasons were canceled, graduation was a drive-thru event, and working parents have had to wrestle through massive shake-ups in child care.
As Fall approached, the reality that COVID19 is not going away any time soon sat in. Schools started virtually in the Fall, and for many of us, that’s not going to change for a while. Virtual school is a challenge even with training, but mass training staff has proven too much for many school districts. So far, virtual schooling has been a disappointment for many.
Homeschooling During COVID19 is on the rise.
In the meantime, homeschool enrollment across the United States continues to rise. Parents have watched their peers homeschooling for several decades now. It’s starting to sink in among the general public that homeschooling is neither fringe, nor weird, nor ineffective. In fact, homeschool education has proven to be just the opposite. More mainstream than ever, homeschooled students are excelling in colleges and in their social lives in spite of the prejudices faced in the past.
So why is now a good time to try homeschooling?
Homeschoolers Face Less Prejudice During COVID19
Well, let’s start with prejudice. With so many new homeschool families in the United States, prejudice from friends and neighbors is becoming a thing of the past. In most cases, you can begin homeschooling today with the support of your family and friends because they’ve been experiencing Covid19 school and have been wondering about homeschooling themselves. Now’s your chance for a no-judgment beginning.
You Can Start Homeschooling Slowly During COVID19
Another great reason to start homeschooling during COVID19, you can take a “soft start”, and still know that your child is getting more than they were last week in virtual school. Now, I know that many local schools are doing okay with virtual school, but not all. And furthermore, I am aware that many teachers are working like crazy to figure this thing out. I get it.
But, I also know first hand the power of having one-on-one time to teach your kids, reading and writing, and arithmetic. Life can’t stop during COVID19 and neither should education. With homeschooling, you can make the next year count in a big way.
Homeschooling During COVID19 will Save You Time.
Homeschooling is going to save you time. You’ve already realized that keeping your child focused on a screen, and on track with assignments is way harder than it should be. You may be working from home, or managing your child’s virtual school experience after a long day at work. Either way, homeschooling will help. What takes eight hours a day in public school will only take about three hours a day at home (for elementary school).
You and your child can spend less time in front of a screen and more time experiencing life together. Taking walks, exploring parks, cooking, and playing games are all great ways to spend time at home after school work is done.
Experience Incredible Homeschool Support during the pandemic.
Support for homeschooling is off the charts right now. If you choose to start homeschooling during the pandemic, you are going to find that local homeschool support groups, homeschool publishers, and homeschool organizations across the country are ramped up to help you. You can find local, state, and national social media groups to help with any homeschool challenge you face, from legal requirements to special needs homeschooling. The homeschool support atmosphere has always been incredible and has only gotten better as so many new families join the movement.
Provide Your Kids with a COVID19 Emotional Safety Net through Homeschooling
Homeschooling provides many opportunities for you to reassure your kids that everything is going to be okay. As kids see COVID19 dragging on and on, they cannot help but worry. Kids might not be communicating their fears, but fear is there lurking. One of my kids spent most of the morning frustrated and sad today. He was unable to really explain why everything was just so hard. The emotions of pandemic life were getting to him. Instead of having to sit in front of a screen visible to his friends with tears running down his cheeks, he was able to sit next to me on the couch and talk it out.
We were able to take breaks – long breaks – and give him room to breathe and process emotions. We aren’t going to get around to his science lesson today until after supper, and you know what? That’s okay because as the homeschool mom I set the pace. And today the pace was all about dealing with big emotions because progress can come later. Reassurance for his precious worried heart is more important in the long run.
As many families across the United States are learning, homeschooling is a great way to manage the education of your kids during this pandemic.
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