FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions About Home Schooling

Read what our Panelists have to say about these often asked questions and concerns about home schooling.

Why Home School?
Do you think that “I” could Home School?
Is it Legal?
How do I get started?
Do I need a teaching credential? Degree?
How much time does it take?
What about Socialization?
What if I can’t teach higher math, Science? Or other subjects??
What if my children do not obey me?
What if my husband isn’t supportive?
What if my family and friends are not supportive?
May I use this website if I’m not a Christian?

Why Home School?
Home Schooling is a viable educational alternative in which parents can completely train and influence their children. Today there are many outside influences (peer pressure, political correctness, anti-Christian agendas, immodesty, etc…) that make it really challenging to train godly young men and women. By keeping your children at home, not only can you encourage academic excellence and train your children with a Biblical Worldview, but you will likely see the fruit of genuine, lifelong, family friendships that otherwise would be fragmented and unpopular in today’s society. Vickie Wright of CA

Most Christian parent’s motivation to home school is their conviction that it is Gods will for them and concern for their spiritual and character developments as well as academic development. Advantages to home school include, control over negative peer pressure, and humanism, more quality time to influence in all areas, family closeness, and a tutorial atmosphere. Dawn Parker of NC

Spiritual training, character training, academics. Home is the only place you can get all three of these benefits. No one else loves your child enough to invest in him to accomplish all these benefits. Janet Straub of WA

Do you think that “I” could Home School?
If God has given you a child, he has also given you the responsibility and abilities to educate that child. Someone admonished me early on that “no one will ever love, invest and be devoted to my child as much as I am.” While it is true good teachers may come into their lives, they will only have them at best for one year. The continuity of intimately knowing your child, their strengths and weaknesses and being devoted for the long-haul makes you the most qualified. You can know their heart like none other and focus on spiritual mentorship. Laura Marinucci of CA

If God is stirring your heart toward homeschooling, He will enable you. It is NEVER in your own strength that you can do this successfully. Homeschooling is not only about academics—it is more about developing Godly character in your life and your child’s in daily living, working, studying, and playing with the family. It’s not only about the child, but about what God wants to do in your life. Janet Straub of WA

Is it legal?
It is legal in the United States, although the laws for testing and accountability very from State to State. Heather McAdow of Belgium

Biblically, the education of your child is a mandate. It is also a constitutional religious right in our country. Presently it is legal in all States. However, we must remain diligent in the political and social realms as there are many who desire to eliminate this right for Christians. There are those who believe the state should dictate the education of children. Pray that it may never be. Laura Marinucci of CA

There are several precious people that make it their business to lobby for the ongoing rights to home educate our children. Because of the unstable political climate and occasional hostility towards home schooling, it is wise to align yourselves with an organization that knows the laws, and will represent you in your God given rights. If you are going to home school in the United States, you should prayerfully consider joining HSLDA. (Home School Legal Defense Association) Vickie Wright of CA

How do I get started?
Check the homeschool laws for your area. Check into a homeschool support group. Decide why you want to homeschool (your purpose). Ask other homeschoolers what curriculum they use and why. Check out the curriculums that sound interesting. Start simple! Unit studies are great—they are economical and cover many subjects. Janet Straub of WA

First, as a couple, you should agree on your convictions that it is God’s will. Then learn your state laws. Set goals for academic, spiritual, and character development. Order materials. Join a support group. Set daily and weekly schedules. You will then have to evaluate and adjust according to your family’s needs. Dawn Parker of NC

To begin, it is very important to know WHY you are home schooling. Prayerfully write down an initial “Philosophy of Education”. It will likely change over time, but you should know what your initial reasons and goals are. Next, contact HSLDA (HomeSchoolLegalDefenseAssociation.com) to know the legalities of your state or country. Evaluate the subjects for your initial course of study depending on the grade level(s) that you will be teaching. Join a local home school support group if one is available in your area. Talk with, and glean from, other home school parents. Attend a home school convention if one is available for your area. Read books and listen to tapes that help and support your efforts. Select and purchase curricula early enough to be prepared for your intended start date. Have a flexible goal in mind for the entire school year. Pray for God’s wisdom and guidance. James 1:5 Vickie Wright of CA

Do I need a teaching credential? Degree?
No. Just a mommy’s heart. Even if your own educational foundations are lacking, you will be learning right along with your child. You now have the advantage as the adult to re-learn subjects that you may have found difficult as a child. Plus you have the benefit of learning at the beginning levels; you won’t jump into algebra overnight! Your children will catch your enthusiasm and joy in the learning process which is almost as important as the subject matter itself. The joy of learning will be contagious. Laura Marinucci of CA

Parental dedication and individual attention has been proven to more than compensate for lack of credentials. Check your state for laws concerning credentials. Dawn Parker of NC

How much time does it take?
Home schooling is an attitude. You can have three hours of study time in the morning, but all day long opportunities will arise for teaching character, academics, and life skills. The parent is discipling the child. Teachable moments happen all the time. You can schedule study time but home schooling is more than study time. Academics can actually take less time at home because there is less busy work and you have the advantage of one-on-one. Janet Straub of WA

Home Schooling is a personalized school experience for each child. Depending on each child’s learning rate and abilities, the amount of time each day will vary. However there are minimum number of days that the law requires a child attend school. A good record of “school attendance” is important. Heather McAdow of Belgium

This is dependent upon the age of the child and your discretion. Note the academic portion of schooling can be accomplished much quicker than in a traditional school setting. This is due to one-on-one instruction, the ability to advance at your own child’s pace once subjects have been mastered, and the lack of distraction due to discipline problems of other students. Time is also gained because there is no transportation and/or transition between subjects. This all adds up to more time for the family! Laura Marinucci of CA

What about Socialization?
Social skills are really not acquired thru long periods of interaction with peers. Social skills can be obtained best by parents helping children build and maintain lasting friendships with people of all ages. Our busy culture allows so much interaction through church, neighborhoods, family friends, sports, lessons and the list goes on. Dawn Parker of NC

Home Schooling offers a child more “real life” socialization than most public school children receive. Often Home Schoolers find that they have to “cut back” on the social activities! There are so many opportunities for children to interact with their peers, especially now! From Home School support groups, to sports, to music lessons, the list goes on. One benefit of Home Schooling is the diversity of people that your child will learn to interact with. Your child is not confined to a room with 30 of his peers for most of the day; rather your child can experience a full and well rounded social experience by getting involved in activities that introduce him/her to people of all ages. Many Home Schooler’s are very articulate at a young age and can communicate well with adults. Heather McAdow of Belgium

What if I can’t teach higher math? Science? Or other subjects?
Most curriculums have a textbook and a teacher’s manual with explanations and answers. These are very helpful. However, there are many other alternatives. There are tutors available through private parties or through your local college. You can purchase videos for individual classes or some HS support groups do group (co-op) teaching and will have the needed class. Dawn Parker of NC

Home school curriculum is very self explanatory. Many children begin to self teach (independent study) when they enter high school and start the more difficult subjects! Also there are tutors and HS support groups that have co-op type weekly classes. Parents with skills, for example in music or math, teach classes for those who need a little extra help. Of course, the great “perk” is that many parents are learning right along with their children as they teach! Heather McAdow of Belgium

What if my children do not obey me?
Then home education is your best alternative! You are the child’s representation of God on earth. If they can’t obey you and honor the 5th commandment, then they are not obeying God. This should be your primary and first order of business. Sending them off to “formal” school may appear to mask the problem of obedience because they “act better for someone else.” However, it will not truly alleviate this disrespect for your authority and their disobedience to God. Over time, especially in the teen years, this disobedience will likely escalate. There is no time like the present to intervene for the heart of your child. Laura Marinucci of CA

I believe the very first thing to be done in this situation is to learn how to reach your child’s heart. You will need his respect and attention, which H S can provide that very opportunity. Having their heart is essential for discipleship. You will use the home to develop the character traits needed to obey. Consistency and determination is needed to have a child come to obedience, which is essential for them to learn. Join a Christian parenting class. Dawn Parker of NC

What if my husband isn’t supportive?
Your husband is the spiritual leader in the home. You can humbly appeal to him with an attitude of submission. And allow God to work through him. Home schooling is a very good thing—a submissive wife is better. God will direct your husband whether he is a Christian or not.
Janet Straub of WA

Many husbands are not initially supportive for several valid reasons. Try to gently find out what those reasons are and prayerfully address each one specifically. Perhaps he knows you very well and is concerned about the quality, or consistency, of your children’s education. If God has planted the seed in your heart and mind to home school your children, be very clear about that calling. You should know why you want to home school and be able to articulate those reasons. Only prayer, the power of the Holy Spirit, and a humble, willing-to-change attitude, on your part, will win a husband over to change his mind. Vickie Wright of CA

I contend, as a wife, you must submit to your husband’s directive as God’s will for your family. If he is adamantly opposed, humbly pray, wait and take every opportunity in your relationship with your child to “educate” them toward God’s precepts. It is imperative that you become involved and vigilant in understanding what they are being taught. If your husband is willing to allow you to educate, though not crazy about the idea, do so in a humble and meek manner so that with time he may be won over. Seek a support group and a prayer network. Laura Marinucci of CA

What if my family and friends are not supportive?
You are in good company! Often friends and family do not know enough about homeschooling to be supportive. I think it is wise to keep grandparents informed as much as possible. Show them school books, papers, and projects. Ask them for input or skills they could help you with. Take input from others humbly then evaluate your life and see if you do have blind areas. Then go back to the reason you and your husband have chosen to homeschool. If their criticism is valid make changes, if not, then continue with the purpose God has set before you. Always exercise humility and graciousness. Your attitude and your children’s speak volumes. Janet Straub of WA

This was a huge stumbling block for me in the early years. My own mother was a traditional elementary school teacher. Initially, she, and several other well meaning family and friends, were very hostile and openly critical towards me and my family because of our conviction to home school. Now, over a decade later, she, and those same family and friends are openly proud and complimentary of our children and how they are “turning out”. If God is calling you to Home School, He will give you the courage and strength to go against the norm. I do think it is important however, to prayerfully evaluate each criticism before God, as a way to check that you aren’t missing something important in the raising and training of your precious children. Vickie Wright of CA

May I use this website if I’m not a Christian?
Absolutely YES! However, the Panelist/Consultants will be answering your questions from a Biblical Worldview and a Christian perspective!