How many homeschool families start out with their children in the lower grades feeling at least somewhat comfortable and competent to teach at the elementary level, only to lose that confidence as their children advance in school? Right at the time when homeschooling can be extremely valuable, many families return their children to public or private school. The reason? Intimidation at the thought of homeschooling a highschooler.
I’m here to tell you not to lose faith in yourself. You can do it. You can homeschool your child all the way through high school if that is what you truly want to do. With new technologies and curriculums available today, there is no reason to think that you can’t succeed. What is the payoff? A high school program tailor made for your child that can focus on his/her interests, skills, and talents. Another payoff is less peer dependence. I mean, really, can a bunch of teenagers with little life experience really provide competent guidance in any area of life? Yet, this is what happens in most other school settings–despite the best efforts of teachers and other adults in those settings.
The number one reason I hear from homeschoolers as to why they don’t think they can “do” high school is a lack of confidence in their ability to teach higher math or lab sciences. There are several ways to handle this, and I’m currently working on a Pre-K through highschool curriculum that can provide multiple pathways through the important teen years. Watch for it coming out soon!
Blessings!