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Forced Into Homeschooling
In the beginning, my choice to homeschool was not something I was dead set on.
I was scared. Scared to create a learning plan and become my daughter’s teacher. Scared of the judgment I would face for doing something outside of the social norm.
I thought I would fail her and she wouldn’t forgive me for keeping her out of school.
Before moving to North Carolina, we had only explored the online school options.
I had no plan to remove her from the online program, as I enjoyed the guided learning, flexibility, and the curriculum (put together by the school).
I was comfortable. We were content.
But then, I was forced.
Forced to get out of my comfort zone.
Although North Carolina did not have a Connections Academy, it did offer a different online school, but they were less flexible and harder to get into.
So, I swallowed my fears and started to research what it would take to homeschool.
I wanted to keep our flexibility. I enjoyed our freedom. I found a great website that helps me navigate this journey.
Home School Advocacy Help
HSLDA (Home School Legal Defense Association) was the first site that appeared when I searched North Carolina Homeschool requirements.
To my surprise, they are a non-profit organization and huge homeschool advocates who want parents to succeed without interference from school districts.
They have attorneys ready to help if you happen to hit a snag while on your homeschool journey.
The site is straightforward with what laws are in each state and what needs to be completed step by step.
Knowing that this type of help is out there made me feel about 50% better. Now, to figure out the other parts.
Regulation levels are also highlighted on an at-a-glance map, which helps if you are looking for a low-regulation state.
HSLDA Regulation Map
Here’s what is included in a monthly membership:
- Answers to any legal questions you have
- Full representation through letters, phone calls, and in court (if necessary)
- 24/7 Hotline for emergencies
- State-specific legal forms
- A wide range of lists helping with curriculum, grades, attendance, and testing
What I Wanted to Create
I wanted to create a simple homeschool life that would allow me to be involved in my daughter’s education.
Recreating school at home as I saw fit, while not becoming anti-school. I wanted to teach through museum trips, life learning, while combining what she would normally learn in school.
Here’s what I found during my research.
Different Styles of Homeschool
I was blown away by the number of ways you could homeschool your kid. There’s:
- Secular Homeschool (curriculum and subjects taught in traditional schools)
- Religious Homeschool (faith-based teachings using religious materials)
- Unschooling (self-directed learning)
- Worldschooling (learnings from traveling in the U.S. and abroad)
Secular homeschool was my first choice, as I wanted my daughter to have the Common Core down. I didn’t want to take away what I learned in school; I just wanted it taught in an exciting way.
I saw that the normal, class-size way of teaching didn’t help my daughter succeed.
This choice eventually evolved into worldschooling, and I loved every moment of it.
Choosing a Curriculum
The Curriculum… Now, this was the hardest part for me.
After researching, there were thousands of curricula out there to choose from. It was very intimidating as I realized homeschool is more popular and more established than I thought.
There were homemade curricula from parents, teachers, and schools who allowed kids to participate in public school programs.
Luckily, I found a homeschool store in my state, and it’s only 10 minutes from my house!! Win!!
The Homeschool Gathering Place had help on site. Not only help, but parents who have successfully homeschooled their kids and who are now off to college or have already become doctors and lawyers.
The store offered seminars, testing, and a way to make cash by turning in any old, but good condition, textbooks for them to resell.
The stories from each store employee calmed my fears. I felt at ease and ready to do it! Even with the thousands of books offered in the store.
What I found so interesting is that I could pick and choose my subjects and workbooks to create my own curriculum. This also helped since I knew what my daughter struggled with and could help her catch up.
Also, I learned that homeschooling should only take about… wait for it… 2-3 hours to complete.
My mind was blown! Even less for kids from K-3rd grade.
I thought I needed a schedule that spanned the entire 6-7 hours a day.
For our first year, we chose to focus on her reading, math, grammar, and spelling skills.
Below is the curriculum and workbooks that helped get us through:
- All About Reading Curriculum with Assignments
- Building Spelling Skills – Curriculum and Assignments
- Spectrum Science Workbook – Curriculum with Assignments
- Brainpop: All Lessons – Video Lessons with Assignments and Tests
- Khan Academy (Free) – Math Curriculum and Assignments
- National Geographic Kids (Free) – Video Lessons
- PBS Kids (Free) – Video Lessons
You can find more of our homeschool picks here. These items can also be used to supplement public and private school students as well. I always recommend them to my family and friends.
There are so many ways and lessons you can teach your child. We mixed real life with lessons.
Zoo trips, natural history museums, space museums, and science museums were not only a fun way to learn and counted towards homeschooling grades, but it was also time well spent as a family.
S.T.E.M Skating Homeschool Meet up
S.T.E.M Skating Homeschool Meet up
Fears of Socialization and How I Managed
Wait, but what about socialization?! This question swirled in my head so many times during my beginning journey. I even went back and forth on not homeschooling because of this issue.
Luckily for me (again), I lived in one of the best states for homeschool groups. I had searched Facebook, Meetup groups, and found so many amazing people.
One thing I have to mention is, please don’t be afraid to talk to other homeschool moms. There is so much wisdom out there that will help guide you.
My child was able to form a bond with another homeschool child because I got the courage and guts to say hi to a mom and hold a conversation. Not a long one, but one that showed that I was interested in what she had to say.
After we spoke, we were invited to more homeschool events such as holiday parties, art/reading clubs, and homeschool graduations.
Don’t get too worried if your child doesn’t mesh well with others; there are so many personalities in the homeschool world that they will eventually find their people.
For the most part, homeschool kids are some of the sweetest, most thoughtful kids I’ve ever met.
Some states offer public school activities for homeschool kids. North Carolina was not one of those states, but the homeschool groups made up for this.
You can contact your school district to see if your child qualifies.
Homeschool Park Club Meetup
Homeschool Park Club Meetup
The Wins
There were so many wins with my decision to homeschool.
The people we meet, the activities and trips we get to attend, and the time I spend with my kiddos.
We were also forced to travel a little due to layoffs to find a lower cost of living while we searched for new jobs.
Homeschooling allowed us to pivot mostly to an online curriculum so that we didn’t miss a beat.
I was so nervous after the first year of homeschooling. The end of the year meant test-taking to see where my daughter sat in terms of her grade level.
We found a testing site that offered timed and untimed tests that met North Carolina’s testing requirements.
We opted for the untimed tests so I could actually see what she knew without being pressured to finish within a specific time frame.
Guess what?!!! She exceeded her scores. At the time of testing, she was in 3rd grade but tested mostly on a 4th and 5th-grade level.
I was ecstatic! I had succeeded! I faced my fears, and everything turned out okay.
The Tough Parts
Sooooo many tough parts, but nothing that stopped us in our tracks.
There were doubts, fear, and carrying a huge responsibility that could determine your kid’s life forever to come.
We had a hard time adjusting to a set schedule.
Getting up at 10 AM and not starting school until 1 PM put a damper on the day.
“But wait, I thought this was why you chose homeschool?!”
This is true, but I also wanted to finish up homeschool work by 2 PM so that we can enjoy the rest of the day.
Until this day, we still wake up later in the day and finish later in the evening. I stopped trying to force it and just let things flow.
We get the work done, and that’s all that matters.
Layoffs also didn’t help, but we found a way through as well.
Who Homeschool Might Be a Good Fit For
I didn’t think homeschooling was for me until I did more research. The more I investigated this option, the more I found that it met all the needs I had.
Homeschool is best for:
- Parents who want more flexibility and the freedom to travel
- Kids who have a different learning pace because they are bored or can’t keep up
- Parents who are willing to learn and plan as you go if something isn’t working
- Families who want to be more involved in their child’s learning
Who Homeschool Might Be Hard For
I still think homeschool is hard, but we make it work because it is important to our family. I believe homeschooling can be for anyone.
There is a ton of mental and physical work that comes with this, and it’s important to evaluate whether you are ready or not.
Homeschool may not be best for:
- Parents who need consistency and structure due to work schedules
- Parents who are already overwhelmed with life as it is; Mental energy drain
- Families who do not have the support or time to find that support
- Children who love group learning and structure
What I eventually realized with homeschooling
Homeschool is not what I thought. It is SO much more.
Doing my research helped calm my fears and showed me I can do anything!
No option will be the perfect option. It really comes down to what you can handle, what you value, and what you want your life to be.
To end this “My Journey to Homeschool” series, doubts and fears ruled my life for a short time. I was afraid of public schools, online schools, and homeschooling, until I wasn’t. I hope this journey has shown you that you can do anything as well.
Remember, do what works best for YOU!
