Homeschooling With (and Without) The Weaver Curriculum: Your FAQs Answered
Hey There, Homeschooling Mom!
Whether you’re just starting your homeschool journey or have been in the trenches for a few years, you probably have questions—lots of them! And that’s okay. Homeschooling is a big responsibility, but you don’t have to figure it all out alone.
This FAQ page is designed to answer some of the most common questions moms have about using The Weaver Curriculum and homeschooling in general. From planning lessons and teaching multiple ages to navigating curriculum choices and legal requirements, you’ll find practical answers and encouragement here.
Browse the sections below to find the help you need:
We’re Here to Help!
1. Using The Weaver Curriculum
Choose this option (above) if you are using or considering The Weaver Curriculum. This section covers questions pertaining to planning, scheduling, teaching methods, materials, and more.
2. General Homeschooling Questions
Choose this option (above) if you are new to homeschooling, or looking for guidance on curriculum choices, organization, socialization, long-term planning, and more.
This page is an ongoing project.
If you have a question you think needs to be on this page, please CLICK HERE to fill out the form so we can get it added.
I hope this resource blesses and equips you on your homeschooling journey. Let’s dive in!
Frequently asked Questions About Weaver
Choosing & Gathering Resources:
Thanks to its unit study approach, when you teach with Weaver, you are teaching topics. When Rebecca Avery wrote The Weaver, she chose books and resources that were available to her at that time. You can do the same! Search for the subject/topic at your local library, check YouTube for videos, scour Pinterest for project ideas. Honestly, the Internet has made homeschooling easier than ever. As one Weaverette said about using the library, “Reserve a bunch of books, bring them home and use what you can — leave the others for the kids to look at.”
The resources you choose will depend on the learning styles of your children (and your teaching style). There is a list of suggested books at the beginning of each unit/chapter, and you’ll often find suggestions for field trips and art projects as well (depending on what the subject is). When I first started using Weaver back in the early 90’s, it was said that all I really needed, beside the volumes, were my Bible and a set of encyclopedias. That still holds today, but instead of encyclopedias, a good Internet connection.
There are many homeschool groups on social media where people offer their used materials for free or a reasonable price. Often, just using your favorite search engine will bring up ‘bulletin boards’ online for those wishing to buy/sell materials. Another suggestion is to look at used bookstores in your area. (I am a big believer in building your home library!) Online booksellers, such as Amazon and Abe Books, often have great deals on materials, too.
Planning & Structuring Your Homeschool:
Finding the schedule that works best for your family will happen through trial and error. My school-age children often started their math assignments as soon as they finished breakfast, while they waited for me to get the younger children settled. We then moved into group teaching (Bible, science, history, etc), and after that they finished their work on their own, only coming to me if they had questions or needed to take a spelling test or submit a paper/project.
Other families have started their day with individual work first, allowing mom to focus on those too young for school. Group teaching is then done during nap times, or while eating lunch (food makes for a captive audience!).
The author of The Weaver advised teaching to the older children first during group learning. Many moms (including me when I was only a few years in) have chosen to teach the youngest first, and “release them” to play freely while teaching the older children. The idea is that the older children are getting a review before diving into the subject deeper, and that the younger children do not often sit still long enough.
However, about six or seven years into using Weaver, I committed to trying the author’s way of teaching the older students first. And I was amazed at how much my younger children picked up simply by sitting and coloring/drawing while I taught the older children! Many moms designate ‘table toys’ for their younger children to use while they teach, but they insist that the children be at the table while teaching is happening.
Find the rhythm that works for your family. But, please try teaching to the oldest first at some point.
Most units are designed to take two weeks, but there are quite a few that take a full month or more to teach. It all depends on what the topic is. For example, in Volume 2, when studying celebrations, the recommended days for teaching is 10. But, the next chapter, which studies protection, recommends 30 days.
Keep in mind, too, that you may get through a unit in less time if you “double up” on days. Or, you can take extra time to go through a unit if “life” is happening. (After having my fourth baby, I stretched out Unit 9 of Volume 2 so that it lasted a full school year.)
Be sure to know your state homeschooling laws. Most states require that the child “advances in knowledge” for each required subject, which is vague and easy to work with. Other states require testing each year, which means you need to be sure you are covering what will be on the test. (No part of this website constitutes legal advice. Please blend the information on this site with your state laws to create the perfect homeschool for your family.)
Volumes 1-3 are designed to take one year to get through. Volumes 4 & 5 are designed to take 1.5 years each. That means, if you follow the Day by Day for each volume, and do the recommended number of days, you will finish all five volumes in six years.
You are probably wondering how to “move up” your child if you are in the middle of a volume when you stop and start again. That’s simple: you start teaching them from the next grade when you start up at the beginning of the new school year. Many of the objectives are similar between grades, with the older grades going more in-depth.
And, if your child is struggling to understand a certain topic, you can always drop down a grade and assign from there. Or, if the assignment for their grade is too easy, go up a grade. Your child never needs to see the actual “grade level” of the assignment.
You circle back to Volume 1 and bring the 7-12 Supplement into your plans. They’ll be going much more in-depth into each topic now that they are older.
As a homeschool mom of 24 years, I can tell you that this is one of the most important balances you need to find. And today, with computers and tablets being such a big part of most school days, it’s important to schedule in field trips, art, music, and hands-on projects. As the teacher, you will need to sit down and map out your day. Keep in mind when your child is at their peak. Are they more alert in the morning or afternoon? This is the best time for individual work (math, reading, writing, assigned projects if they are older, for example). If they are “slow wakers” or get tired after lunch, consider doing something outdoors at this time, or something that involves using their hands (art projects, field trips, PE, chores, for example).
Always try to break up their screen/sitting time. I once knew a weaving family that required 10 minutes of every hour to be outside, or at least up and moving around. In our home, we didn’t require that they be at the table or a desk while doing independent work. We often found our children laying on the couch reading/studying, or even up in a tree with a book. Our daughter enjoyed sitting on a blanket in the sunshine to do her schoolwork.
Anywhere from a few hours to a few days.
Once our home library was built up, I could easily plan our units in a matter of hours on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon. Before that, I would do the planning on one day, and the gathering of materials over the next several days. Basically, as you approach the last week of one unit, you begin planning for the next. I believe the author of The Weaver would start planning two weeks in advance.
While some people will tell you that it takes too long to plan (that’s their excuse for not using it, usually), I would like to share a little story…
One year I was hired to assist AOP as they revamped their website. Besides writing the blurbs for The Weaver materials, I was also asked to write the blurbs for the complete set of third grade LIFEPACs. My youngest just happened to be in third grade, so I decided this would be the year I took time off of using Weaver, just to see how it would be to homeschool a different way. Besides the youngest, I also had children in 5th, 7th, 10th & 12th. The 7th and 10th graders had outside classes for math and science that year. The oldest was taking a computer class at the local tech school each afternoon. I bought history LIFEPACs, an accounting LIFEPAC, and I think an art LIFEPAC as well. I had already purchased math for the younger two — yes, my third grader did two different math programs that year… and he finished ALL of it — and I had a family devotional book I planned to use for Bible time. I’m sure I’m leaving something out, but please know I had it all covered.
It was the worst year of homeschooling if you ask me! It took way more time for me to correct all those LIFEPACs than it did for me to plan out the Weaver units. WAY more. I promptly went back to Weaver the next year and never looked back. What’s that old saying? You don’t know what you’ve got ’til it’s gone.
Teaching with Weaver:
No need to teach them separately! If your second child has been in the room while you’ve been teaching, they will easily start in whatever volume you are using, at the K level. And, even if they have not been in the room much, it will be easy to bring them in due to the teaching style of Weaver.
No! The Day by Day is a suggestion for how to set up your days. It’s how the author set up her days. It was created not to be a to-do list, but to keep things from being overwhelming for those who use Weaver. (Because, let’s be honest – those big ol’ binders can be quite intimidating!) There are so many different ways to do Weaver. I often opted to do either history or science over the course of one week, and then switched to the other the next week. It all depended on what was being taught in our Bible lessons.
You’ll also find that there are “starred” items in the Volumes. These items are considered “must teach” things for those who live in a state that requires testing. They are always worked into the Day by Day lessons for that unit. And, you may notice that some lessons in the Volumes are not mentioned in the Day by Day. That’s because they are similar to another lesson, and you are welcome to swap them out if the lesson mentioned in the Day by Day does not fit your family’s learning style.
Do what works for your family. I eventually stopped using the Day by Day after years of using Weaver. (Again, please be sure to check your state’s laws on homeschooling.)
The Weaver Curriculum does not include math, except in the Interlock. Each Volume covers Bible, History (Social Studies), Science, and Language Arts. There are also suggestions for Art and Music, as well as suggested literature to read. You will need a separate math program and a program that teaches reading. You will also need to purchase other programs for electives such as accounting, foreign language, etc.
When you do math each day will be up to you. You’ll want to take into consideration a few things: 1) When is it best to have group learning, and 2) when is your child most alert and able to work independently, and 3) when do you have time to be available for questions and to teach concepts one-on-one, if needed.
As with math, you will need separate programs for teaching reading and spelling/grammar. There is a program for grades K-6 called Wisdom Words, written by the author of The Weaver Curriculum, which is very good for teaching writing. Interlock includes the basics of learning ABCs, but you’ll need a phonics program to complete the process. You can find a growing list of resources right here. We also offer daily writing prompts to help your student write creatively.
This is the beauty of The Weaver! The Volumes give you the basics of the subject you are teaching. You then use things like books, videos, audio recordings, field trips, and hands-on projects to help your student learn. For example, one of the things we did as a family was to create personal timelines using file folders and binders. As we worked our way through Bible timelines, World History, and American History, my children made note of things in their timeline ‘book.’ They even had important dates for our family listed, such as birthdays and anniversaries of relatives.
For my bookworm learner, there was always a book to be read. For my auditory learner, there were videos to watch. For my hands-on child, there were projects to do. I did not require the same thing from each child, other than the usual research paper. But, I allowed them to each share what they learned in their own way for daily assignments.
It sure does! As stated above, Weaver works well with all learning styles. This is ideal for high school, when students start to internalize and apply what they have learned and are learning. If your state requires lab sciences, you will need to find a co-op or a few other families to do those classes with. But, overall, Weaver teaches children HOW to learn, not what to learn. This is a skill they will need going forward. By using Weaver, you are setting them up for success.
Grading & Measuring Learning:
For the younger grades (K-6) it’s a matter of “Did they do the assignment and get it right?” more than “Does this deserve an A or a B?” So, for the younger grades, it’s easier to use Pass or Do Over. (Yes, it’s perfectly fine to have your child do assignments over until they get it right! This is your school; you do what works for your family.) Some people will argue that they won’t get second chances in adulthood, but I beg to differ. Yes, there will be situations that require things being done right the first time, but there are many more that allow you to try again. And, if they are in grades K-6, they still have 6+ more years to work on getting things right the first time.
Once your student is in high school, you will find many websites online that can explain how to give grades for essays and research papers. (Math programs usually offer suggestions for grading as well.)
There will always be things they are not interested in. There are things YOU are not interested in! But, they still need to learn how to find the information to learn what they need to learn. This is the backbone of The Weaver: it teaches them how to learn. Keep in mind, too, that you can speed through a topic that isn’t interesting, and slow down through topics that they enjoy. Again, this is part of the beauty of Weaver.
Whenever you switch from one curriculum to another, there will be gaps. This is based on what, how, and when the authors choose to teach something. (You’ll find this in public school settings as well if you change schools in the middle of the school year.) Rebecca Avery went to great lengths to study the scope and sequences of various school systems across the USA, noting what was required for children to learn in each grade. She then crafted The Weaver objectives to reflect this by starring objectives that are considered ‘required’ for that grade. (She wrote a book called Skills Evaluation which can sometimes be found used.) The Day by Day for each Volume includes these starred objectives as part of the lesson plan for the unit.
Be sure to know your state homeschooling laws. Most states require that the child “advances in knowledge” for each required subject, which is vague and easy to work with. Other states require testing each year, which means you need to be sure you are covering what will be on the test. (No part of this website constitutes legal advice. Please blend the information on this site with your state laws to create the perfect homeschool for your family.)
Frequently asked Questions About Homeschooling
Getting Started:
You pray about it. There are many reasons why families choose to homeschool. Frequent moves (military and missionary families, for example), medical needs (children or parents with medical issues, for example), unhealthy school environment (bullies, learning disabilities, gifted children, for example), and even just a desire to keep the family unit intact. Whatever the reason behind your desire to homeschool, it is always good to have your spouse on board, too. Homeschooling is more than just school at home; homeschooling is a way of life for your family. Please don’t jump into it lightly. (I always recommend committing to at least one full year.)
Each state is different, and info about your specific state can be found here. I also highly suggest you find a local homeschool group and ask them to share the state laws with you. (These can also be found online at the US Dept of Education. When you click on your state, please scroll down to get to the homeschool section.)
(No part of this website constitutes legal advice. Please blend the information on this site with your state laws to create the perfect homeschool for your family.)
Choosing curriculum doesn’t have to be overwhelming. We’ve created a basic checklist for you to use that will help you keep all the most important aspects in mind as you look at what’s available. In a nutshell, there are six things to keep in mind: 1) Child’s learning style, 2) your teaching style & family goals, 3) your educational philosophy, 4) the subjects offered by the curriculum and its flexibility, 5) product reviews, and 6) ability to ‘try before you buy.’ Keep in mind that whatever you choose, it’s not set in stone — you can change if needed. Grab your checklist by clicking here!
If your child has already attended public school, you will want to write a “letter of intent to homeschool” even if your state has no regulations regarding homeschooling. If there are no regulations, this is more of a courtesy to the school system, so they don’t wonder why your child is not showing up for classes.
And if you live in a state that does have regulations, this letter may be required to be submitted a certain length of time before or after you begin homeschooling. It’s also possible that the school district will have their own form, affidavit, or letter of intent that they require you to use when withdrawing your child.
Check to see what your state requires by connecting with a local homeschool group, or contacting a legal site such as HSLDA.
(No part of this website constitutes legal advice. Please blend the information on this site with your state laws to create the perfect homeschool for your family.)
Each homeschooling method has a unique approach to learning. Here’s a brief overview:
Traditional – Resembles public school with textbooks, workbooks, and a structured schedule. Often, the materials are not purchased from the same company (e.g., math and science from one place, spelling from another, history from another, etc.). This approach is usually used the first year for many families, as they ‘get their feet wet’ with homeschooling.
Classical – Focuses on the three stages of learning (grammar, logic, and rhetoric) with an emphasis on classical literature, Latin, and critical thinking. While this can be implemented in a home setting, many families choose to join a Classical Conversations community for support and interaction with others using the same method.
Charlotte Mason – Uses living books, narration, nature study, and short lessons to create a rich, literature-based education. The premise of this approach is that each child is an individual, a person, and that they are born with a natural curiosity and desire to learn.
Unit Studies – Integrates multiple subjects around a single theme (e.g., studying Ancient Egypt through history, science, reading, and art). Most unit studies are designed to be done over a two- or four-week period, to cover a specific topic you may be studying with your children. With a little planning, you can fill your whole year with stand-alone unit studies. Or, you can purchase a curriculum that is complete and based on the Bible, such as The Weaver Curriculum!
Unschooling – Child-led, interest-based learning with no set curriculum, allowing children to explore topics naturally. Many unschoolers use hands-on activities to teach, such as building a shed, or collecting leaves on a nature walk. The focus is on real life, following the interests of the child, and lively discussions.
Eclectic – A mix of different methods, tailored to the child’s needs. Many families shift from Traditional to one of the above or to this method after the first or second year of homeschooling. As an example, an Eclectic homeschool family may purchase a traditional math and spelling curriculum, follow a Charlotte Mason approach for science, and use Unit Studies for history and everything else.
Each method has its strengths, and many families blend approaches to find what works best. When making the decision on what to use, keep in mind how your child learns best and how you prefer to teach. You can grab our checklist for finding the right curriculum here!
Planning & Organization:
Each family has its own needs and styles of learning. Some families use a traditional, time-based schedule, while others dedicate full days to different subjects. We’ve created a template for you to use to create the schedule that works best for your family. It also includes an explanation of four different styles of scheduling. You can find it here.
This will depend on your state requirements. Some states require a set number of days for the year, while others require a set number of hours in total. Please check with your local homeschooling group, or find your state laws here, to see what your state requirements are.
When we lived in Wisconsin, we were required to have 875 hours of instruction. It was up to us to decide how many days it would take to complete the learning standards we had set for our children. When I looked at the local school calendar, I noted they had 180 days scheduled. That comes out to about four hours of school each day. Again, please check with your local homeschool group or contact a legal site such as HSLDA to find out what your state requires.
(No part of this website constitutes legal advice. Please blend the information on this site with your state laws to create the perfect homeschool for your family.)
It is suggested that you keep any tests your child takes during the year (such as in math). These will show visual proof of “sequentially progressive” learning. If your curriculum does not provide tests, keep essays and research papers that your student writes, or any other writing samples from the year. Take photos of projects (like volcanos, insect collections, etc.) and keep those on file as well. Hardcopies of everything kept in a file folder for each child each year will work. Or, keep things stored digitally (be sure to back-up your digital files, in case of emergency). The choice is yours.
The simple answer is ‘no’ but you will need to check with your local homeschool group or contact a legal site such as HSLDA to find out what your state requires.
(No part of this website constitutes legal advice. Please blend the information on this site with your state laws to create the perfect homeschool for your family.)
Most curriculum will have a Scope & Sequence included. This can be used to plan out your year and set goals for your homeschool.
Teaching Multiple Ages:
This is an excellent question! It’s one that is asked by many a homeschool parent once they decide to teach their children at home. Having homeschooled right from the start, with a toddler and baby in tow, I’ve tried two different ways.
During the early years, we took advantage of food, walks, and naps. In other words, I spent time reading aloud during snack and lunch; we went for walks to talk about nature and spent time stopping to smell the roses and discuss them; and we did math and phonics while siblings slept or played quietly. There were also times when we saved one-on-one learning for the evening, when Dad could be there to help with younger siblings.
As the children grew and became more responsible, and as we added more children to our family, I often had the older two switch-out their one-on-one time with me. While I worked with one, the other played with his younger siblings, then they would switch places and I’d work with the other.
Other families that I know hired a “mother’s helper” (a homeschool friend’s adolescent daughter) to help with the younger children while they taught their older children. And still others utilized local day care for their infants and toddlers to give them time to teach their school-age children.
Find what works for you!
That will depend on the way you are teaching. For subjects like math, or if you are using textbooks for any other subject, it’s easy to let older students (who can read) go off on their own while you teach younger students who are not yet fluent readers.
If you are using a unit study method, have them all at the table while you teach to the older children (give the younger ones paper and pencils or some other special “table time” toy and require that they listen until it’s time for their assignment).
Utilize different areas of your house for teaching, allowing younger students to read or do other independent work, or even play, while you teach older students. Then switch, and let the older students work independently or do chores while you teach younger students.
One of the best things about homeschooling is the ability to let your children learn at their own pace. Depending on the curriculum you use, your child may not ever “see” what grade level you are teaching them. They may not even know they are behind or ahead. And that’s just fine! Let your advanced child move forward at their own pace. Give your struggling child a little extra time so they can meet the goals you’ve set for them. Remember that each child is uniquely made by God. If they struggle in math, they may be ahead in reading or be a naturally gifted artist or musician. Some children won’t understand scientific concepts, but teach them a little computer coding and they’ll take off like an airplane!
Take your concerns to the Lord and let Him show you how to best teach your children.
Much of this will depend on the ages of your children and your own obligations around the house. When my children were younger, we did most of our teacher-led lessons late morning and/or early afternoon. Early morning was reserved for breakfast and a few chores. If anyone got done with breakfast early, they often started on their math. Early afternoons were often nap time for younger children, so we took advantage of that to do school work as well.
While it’s good to try to balance independent and group learning, it’s even more important to balance seat-work with movement. Please don’t expect your children to sit still for hours on end! Allow independent reading to be done on the couch, in a tree, or laying on their bed. Let them stand up to watch a short educational video. Require that they get outside to run around and play at least once or twice a day, if not more. Fresh air and sunshine is the best change of scenery that will help them internalize what they are learning.
Curriculum & Learning:
First, be sure there are no processing issues, such as poor eyesight, hearing loss, dyslexia, etc. If it is just one subject, consider changing the way it is being taught. My oldest child had no trouble picking up a math book and figuring out what was expected to get the right answer. The next two children benefited from outside math classes (a co-op type of setting). The next child was greatly aided by a math program that offered a DVD to teach the lessons — and not just any math program with a DVD (we tried switching to a different program one year and the way that teacher taught was not the same, so we went back to the first program). The last child was much like the oldest, and was able to read the math book and figure out how to get the right answer.
There are basically three types of learning/teaching styles: visual, auditory, and kinesthetic. So, if one program is not working for your child, consider a different program with a different teaching style. For a better understanding of learning styles, and a checklist to help you figure out how your child learns best, grab our guide here!
Some programs will come with tests, such as you see in math books, worktexts, or online programs. Some programs do not supply tests, but instead require research papers and essays. And still other programs encourage you to discuss the topic with your child, and from that interaction you can decide if they have succeeded in learning the information.
You will find the best resources by asking other homeschool parents what worked for them. Keep in mind that children learn differently, so what works for one family may not work for yours. However, asking around is the best place to start.
Math programs that have stood the test of time include Saxon Math, Teaching Textbooks, Math-U-See, Horizons Math, Life of Fred, and Apologia Math.
Reading programs that have stood the test of time include Horizons Phonics & Reading, Alpha Phonics, Explode the Code, All About Reading, BJU Press Reading Program, and Sonlight Phonics Program.
Anytime the child is interacting it’s more fun. Education is not all book-learning. Use videos, field trips, family projects, and cooking to make lessons come to life. Plant a garden while studying flowers, or go to a flower shop and learn about flower arranging. Stay up an extra hour or two and spread a blanket on the lawn to star gaze and watch for asteroids. Hike around a pond or along a creek and discover the different creatures that live there. Invest in a subscription box, such as Universal Yums, to learn about other cultures. Chances are, if it sounds fun to you, your children will enjoy it as well.
Absolutely! This is considered an eclectic style. By finding the programs that work best for your family for each subject, you are creating the perfect learning environment for your homeschool. You can choose math from Company A, history from Company B, science from Company C, Bible from Company D, and so on. Or, you can choose math and reading from one company for your younger students, and math and science from another company for your older students, and use unit studies for everyone. The combinations are limitless!
Socialization & Extracurricular Activities:
What exactly is socialization? It is the process of learning to behave in a way that is acceptable to society. While your child will learn most of their socialization skills from being with family members, they will also learn from a variety of other places as well: homeschool groups, field trips, church attendance, shopping expeditions, etc. There are also sports activities, summer camps, and even literature. While some children (and adults) thrive on weekly or even daily interaction with people outside of their home, others are perfectly happy to remain home. Be sure to offer the experiences to your child, but don’t force it if they don’t want to participate.
Many local homeschool groups have social media pages or groups. Simply searching for the words “Homeschoolers in [your town or closest major city]” will turn up opportunities for you. Use this wording to search both social media and on search engines. Another option is to ask around at your church, or local library.
Many local groups offer field trips (sometimes weekly, sometimes monthly) as well as sports groups. Here in my area we have a local homeschool archery team, as well as a dedicated homeschool sports organization (they offer baseball, basketball, cheer, football, soccer, tennis, volleyball and more). Using the phrase “Homeschool sports near me” in your search engine will often show many opportunities. You can also check with your local library to see if there are any other extracurricular activities for homeschool students (such as Toastmasters, creative writing classes, and STEM classes, to name just a few).
Children learn best by example. When you go to the park or the store, strike up conversations with others. Get to know other families at church and set up times for both families to get together, or just moms with children. Join a co-op or homeschool group. Sign up for extracurricular activities at the library, the zoo, the local park. Volunteer together for a church activity, at a pet shelter, or a food pantry. Let your child see you being friendly, and they will be friendly, too. (Please be sure to talk about Stranger Danger, and always keep an eye on your child in public places.)
Practical Challenges & Encouragement:
This will, no doubt, happen at some point. It happens to all parents, even when they don’t homeschool. Talk to your spouse about a Saturday “recharge day” — you can go out alone somewhere for a few hours, or your spouse can take the kids out for a few hours to give you some alone time. Enlist the help of grandparents or other family members to take the children overnight so you and your spouse can have time alone together.
Another idea is to put all book-learning aside and spend a week learning about life. (We often did this in May.) Work out in the yard, declutter the house one room at a time, take a field trip each day (different parks, the zoo, hiking paths, etc.), and just relax. This time is fleeting. Your children will be grown and gone before you know it. Taking a week off of school to refresh and rejuvenate everyone will help immensely.
Above all, talk to someone. Homeschooling is not for the faint of heart, but it also should not jeopardize your health. Do you need to change the way you are teaching or the program you are using? Do you need to find a tutor for a class or two? Do you need to limit outside activities so you’re not running all over town every night? Reach out to another homeschool parent, or your spouse, and talk about your concerns so you can come up with a solution.
With traditional schooling offering more distance learning, homeschooling isn’t quite as intimidating as it used to be. But, you may still face naysayers. And it may be your students’ grandparents. First, know that homeschooling is your decision. It is something you and your spouse prayed about and have decided is best for your family. You don’t need to explain your reasoning to anyone else. If the criticizer speaks ill of homeschooling in front of your children, I would gently let them know that it will not be tolerated. If the criticizer is your relative, you need to be the one to talk to them (with your spouse in the room, if needed). If it is your spouse’s, let them do the talking.
Be sure to talk to your children about this as well. There is nothing unusual, weird, or bad about homeschooling and they should always come to you if someone makes them feel anything other than positive about their schooling. Your family unit is the most important unit to protect.
Over the years, I’ve met parents who saved test scores to share with criticizers, sent well-written papers or artwork to the criticizers, and even involved them in the homeschooling process by having them teach a skill like cooking, sewing, woodworking, or small engine repair. The more time the criticizer spent with the children, the easier it was for them to see that they were indeed learning.
This is a common challenge for many first-time homeschooling parents, and may happen with children pulled from traditional school. When a child doesn’t see their parent as a “teacher” and resists doing schoolwork, it often comes down to mindset shifts, structure, and relationship dynamics. Here are some practical things to try:
1. Establish Clear Roles & Expectations
– Have a conversation with your child about how homeschooling works and why you are both committed to it.
– Set clear expectations for when “school time” happens and what their responsibilities are.
– Use a visual schedule or checklist so they can see what needs to be done each day.
2. Separate “Parent” and “Teacher” Mode
– Consider using a designated “school space” in your home to create a clear boundary between school and home life.
– Some parents even wear a special “teacher hat” (literally or figuratively) during school hours to help kids mentally separate roles.
– Use a more structured approach during school time, then shift back to a more relaxed parent-child relationship afterward.
3. Give Them Some Control
– Let them have a say in how their schedule is structured—do they want to do math first or reading?
– Offer choices in assignments (e.g., writing a report vs. making a poster).
– Let them pick some of the books or topics they learn about within the subject matter.
4. Incorporate Fun & Hands-On Learning
– If they struggle with traditional worksheets or lectures, try project-based learning, games, or hands-on activities.
– For younger kids, use pretend play (“Let’s pretend we’re in a detective school solving math mysteries!”).
– Use real-world applications (e.g., baking to teach fractions, a nature walk for science).
5. Use External Motivation & Accountability
– Sometimes kids respond better when someone else explains a concept. Try online classes or co-ops; audiobooks, video lessons, or learning apps; a homeschool mentor or tutor for certain subjects.
– Create a simple reward system (stickers, extra screen time, or a fun outing after finishing work).
6. Build a Positive Learning Relationship
– Spend time doing “fun learning” together—read books aloud, watch documentaries, or play educational games.
– Avoid power struggles—if frustration builds, take a break and try again later.
– Show them you’re learning too! Let them see you reading, taking notes, or working on a new skill.
7. Pray & Show Grace
– Ask God for patience, wisdom, and guidance in teaching your child.
– Recognize that this is an adjustment for both of you.
– Keep the long-term relationship with your child a priority—learning can happen in many ways, and no single day of homeschooling defines your success.
There are many families who cannot give up the second income, and therefore find that working from home is their only option in order to homeschool. How you structure your day will depend on the age of your children and your work schedule. For parents who run their own business, setting work hours is a priority. It may mean getting up early to work for an hour or two before the kids get up. It may mean working after they go to bed. For those who must work during the traditional workday, taking advantage of naptimes to work, or enlisting the help of older siblings for an hour is an option. I know of no states that say you cannot homeschool in the evenings. If you need to work during the day, assign independent work and hire a Mother’s Helper to keep the children from bothering you. Do you group teaching late afternoons or early evenings.
Personally, I’ve never recommended working while homeschooling as I know that teaching your children can be a full-time job by itself. But, I know many families who do it with the help of their spouse, co-op classes, a Mother’s Helper 2-3 days a week, or utilizing early morning and late evening hours.
It is possible to re-enroll your children in traditional school. However, if they are high school age, there may be some hoops to jump through — and they may automatically be placed as a Freshman, regardless of their age. (Please prayerfully consider keeping older children at home and switching curriculum to get them through to graduation.)
With so many options for schooling, it really comes down to what you and your spouse desire for your children. Is public school an option? Would an online/video school work? Is it just the child being stubborn (see the “What if my child doesn’t listen to me” section above), or do you need to return to working outside of the home for some reason?
As much as I love homeschooling and believe in it, I know it is not right for everyone. Please take all factors into consideration before you begin and before you call it quits.
Long-Term Considerations:
There are many options for homeschooling in high school today. From online/video classes to co-ops, to dual enrollment in college or tech school. High school in your homeschool doesn’t need to look much different unless you want it to.
If you choose to place your children back into school once they complete 8th grade, you will need to talk to your local high school to see what steps need to be taken. But, before you do, please talk to those in your local homeschool group to see if they know of anyone who has done this in your school district. Getting first-hand information is always best.
Absolutely! Colleges love homeschooled children due to their desire to learn and higher test scores. Seek out college fairs starting in 8th grade and talk to some of the admittance offices of places your child may wish to attend. Many colleges also have info on their websites about what is expected from homeschooled students for admissions.
The military also loves homeschooled children. If your child is interested in a military career, seek out a local recruiter to talk to about what is needed from you regarding school records, if anything. I have two in the military (Army and Space Force) and know many others who also have homeschooled children in the military. It is a challenging, yet fulfilling career.
There are templates for transcripts located online that can be downloaded for free or for a charge. Basically, there are two types: year-based (four sections outlining each year of high school) and subject-based (showing what was studied, with no dates). I found a very informative article about transcripts here.
If your state requires testing or assessments for grades 1-8, you can learn more about how to sign up for these things through your local homeschool group or on your state’s homeschool page (usually located in the DOE section). For high school, when it comes to the ACT or SAT tests, you can learn about testing dates and how to sign up on their websites.
Many local homeschool groups offer a graduation ceremony for those in the group. Depending on the size of the group, you’ll have anywhere from 4-20 students walking across the stage. If you are not part of a group, or if your child is the only one graduating, check to see if your church offers any sort of graduation recognition each year. When my children graduated, they also had ceremonies for their tech school programs, giving them each 2-3 ceremonies to get through (homeschool group, church, and tech school).
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