Homeschooling- take the leap for August!

One of my favorite parts of my job as principal of a homeschooling charter academy, is that I get to be an advocate for homeschooling every day. I have the opportunity to encourage parents who have hit the wall, prod a stubborn tween to try a little harder or give mom a break and help a new parent take the leap. It's inspiring and encouraging to know that I helped someone make a decision to homeschool when it was the right fit for the child.

The hardest part is also the conversations with parents, unfortunately. Each week I speak to parents who are in full crisis mode with a child in a public brick and mortar that is not working for him. Earlier this week, I had a heartbreaking conversation with a mom whose third grade son was the victim of terrible bullying at school. She had gone through all the right channels, with no success. Her final straw before calling me, was that her son had been tackled in the bathroom and peed on. She was told that he really shouldn't go in the bathroom alone and he should take a buddy next time. She walked out, taking her son and called me in tears.

Beyond the mom above, in the last two weeks, I've spoken with a mom whose son is not receiving special education services that are in his IEP because the teacher left on maternity leave and a mom of a talented dancer who can't keep up with the three hours of homework each night while also in ballet 15 hours a week. Each time I wrap up a conversation, there is a collective sigh of relief. Yes, you can homeschool.

Homeschooling is NOT right for everyone. I'm very up front about this in my conversations with parents. If you work full time in a traditional schedule and have no family support, you simply cannot homeschool a 7 year old, unless you have some sort of magical boss who won't mind your shadow along. If you really just don't like your kids that much, you can't homeschool. It's not good for your sanity or their education. If you're really hoping to homeschool just so you don't have to get up in the morning or be anywhere on time ever, it's not going to work out well for you.

When it's not right, I am happy to talk to a parent about other options. There are amazing traditional public schools that are able to support all different kinds of students. But kids and schools are cut from different molds, and it's important to put the right kid in the right mold. If your mold isn't working, it's time to find a new option.

Homeschooling isn't the only option, but it is a viable option that is becoming more socially acceptable every day. Regardless of how you've come to the idea of pursuing homeschooling, do some reading on your options in your state and feel comfortable that there is a support group out there to help you get started! Take the leap, I promise if you're in it for the right reasons, you won't be disappointed.

Books to take a look at when considering homeschooling
Free Range Learning:: How Homeschooling Changes Everything

Academic Homeschooling: How to Give Your Child an Amazing Education at Home

Project-Based Homeschooling: Mentoring Self-Directed Learners

From School to Homeschool: Should You Homeschool Your Gifted Child?