Typically when people think of homeschooling they usually picture a stay at home mother and a working father. Well for the two million plus hoemschoolers in the United States that is not always the scenario. Homeschoolers are as diverse as the World itself. Yes, it is true that the majority of homeschoolers come from two parent households but in the recent years single parents have began to exercise there right to home educate there children as well. How you ask can a single parent homeschool? Well through lots of prayer, sacrifice, creativity, and support they are succeeding at providing their children with a quality education at home.
For those of you who are single parents considering homeschool as an option for your family and are unsure how to accomplish it or for those who have been homeschooling for a while but need some fresh ideas on how to continue on we are going to examine some of the things that veteran single parent homeschoolers have done to make home education work in their families.
The make or break issue single parent homeschoolers face is employment. There are various ways to obtain income and still homeschool. For example:
· Swing Shift Employment- If you work for an employer who offers a 2- 11pm or 3- 12pm shift this could afford you the time to instruct the children in the mornings before leaving for work.
· Work From Home- With modern technology being what it is today plenty of companies have adapted more of a virtual office style where you only go into the office every once in a while. There are even some companies that are exclusively work from home.
· Self- Employment- From Avon, Mary Kay, Usborne Books, and your own small business start up can allow you the flexibility needed to homeschool.
· Inhome Child Care Provider- In my research I found quite a bit of parents chooses to open there home to other parents during the day as a childcare provider. Although this option does come with a certain level of commitment it can be an excellent source of economic stability.
· Academic Tutor- Lets not forget the most obvious choice that you can use to create a source of income for yourself is to tutor other children. Every homeschool parent has there strong point. Maybe yours is math, science, or even art. You don’t just have to stick to individual tutoring sessions either. Maybe you can create different workshops in your home for the students to participate in for a few. Be creative!
Figuring out how to sustain yourself economically while homeschooling your children can be a trying but it can be accomplished. It’s just a matter of figuring out a plan that works well for your family. The Bible says in Deuteronomy 6: 6- 7 “And these words, which I command thee on this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk to them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thy liest down, and when thy risest up.” If God wants us to instill his words and commandments into the hearts of all children in every waking moment of our day than he will surely make a way to make it possible for all parents to give there children a Christ centered education.
