Updated 9/27/2022
It doesn’t matter if a homeschooler is single or married, it’s a good idea to avoid homeschooling solo. The primary homeschooler will benefit from having a partner who can occasionally help teach, bounce ideas, and just take some of the load off to prevent burnout.
Your homeschool support might come from a spouse, friend, grandparent, or other homeschoolers. If you are married, the obvious choice may be your spouse, but if that person is not available due to work or lack of interest, then find a friend or relative. But first make sure that you’re not discouraging your potential partner from helping. Sometimes the primary homeschooling parent gets territorial in wanting to be the only one to help their children!
It’s probably not going to be a 50/50 arrangement. It may not be all about academics, although sometimes the primary homeschooler will enlist the help of someone who is more knowledgeable in a subject and a perfect choice to help.
Maybe your homeschooling partner can be your idea person or the person you go to when you’re ready to give up. It’s going to look different in every family. It doesn’t have to be an official partnership, but something you consciously keep in mind by asking for help. Do what it takes so that you don’t feel that you have to take on the teaching of every subject, and to be there for your children without a break 24/7! It’s good for you, for the kids, and also for the person you ask to help you!
- Have you read my blog about how my husband helped me homeschool our son? It’s here: Homeschool Dads.
Karen Taylor’s always homeschooled son attended a local community college after graduating from homeschooling. He transferred to UC Berkeley as a junior, and received a PhD in neuroscience from UCSF. She shares homeschooling comments and links on Facebook, Pinterest, and this blog.
