Opinion Shattering Misconceptions About Home Schooling I HAVE HEARD THE STATEMENT “EVERYONE CAN’T HOME SCHOOL” many times over the years. Parents and educators often suggest that single parents, working parents and parents of children with special needs can’t home school. Throughout the years I have watched and continue to watch parents destroy these misconceptions by simply doing what so many have said can’t be done. They effectively home school their children. I set out on a quest to interview some of those parents several months ago and have compiled a few of their stories. been very challenging. My “I chose to home school calling has always been originally over 25 years to home school and my ago because I saw firstdetermination to fulfill that hand through my student calling has kept me moving teaching that the public BY TIFFANY BOYD towards that goal. I have a school would not be teachjob that allows me to have ing my children the morals a flexible schedule while working from home. and values I felt were important. I saw the My children do a great deal of self-teaching impact of social pressures defining a child’s and also benefit from working together on self-esteem. I have seen over the years how subjects. I give them a weekly schedule that important it has been for my children to be they can work on at their own pace. The free from the social pressures and influences schedule includes any activities or appointto conform to worldly views of who they ments which gives them the opportunity to should be and want to be. Having children learn how to manage their time. I have to be with special learning difficulties has also shown me the importance of being able to de- realistic and allow a great deal of flexibility.” Weihe’s adopted children all have special sign a learning environment tailored to their challenges learning, but being able to tailor abilities and strengths,” Kathie Weihe said. their education has allowed them to learn in “As a single mom, home schooling has
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a less stressful environment and to take breaks when they are overwhelmed. “One child learned to read while hanging upside down on the side of the couch and climbing on top of the refrigerator. They are free to move as they need and meet their vestibular needs without bothering classmates. They are also able to use calming techniques such as petting their cat or dog as needed or wrapping themselves in or under a blanket,” the homeschool mom continued. “Through home schooling, I have been able to give them skills for adulthood rather than throw them into an environment that causes them to shut down and learn nothing. Our motto is: Every destination is a chance for education. Every trip to the grocery store is an opportunity to teach a life skill which is more important to challenged learners than completing another worksheet.” Another parent had issues with a private school not following the doctor’s protocol regarding her children’s medical needs, which resulted in ER trips and hospitalizations: “The negative socialization was also a determining factor when choosing home schooling. I understood that I was no longer directing my child’s education and what they were being exposed to. Not only was it being directed by other adults, but also by other students. I knew that I needed to find a way to intervene before it had a negative lasting impact on my children,” the parent, who chose to remain anonymous, said, adding that the enormous cost of private school was requiring her to work paycheck to paycheck to pay tuition. “Financially, I needed to find another way,” she said. “When I told my co-workers I was quitting my job, pulling my children from school and we were traveling the world they were terrified. I felt like I could see our future and I needed to home-school. I didn’t want my children to become a statistic.” The parent chose to babysit, bartend, resell items, and clean houses, and eventually was promoted to property management. “I am a single mom, with no child support (never received a dime), and I haven’t relied on welfare. I am self-employed. I have no family support system. If I can do it, anyone can do it,” she said. “Our homeschool journeys have included traveling the world to places such as Asia, Europe, the Middle East and living in Australia. 34 * MAY 2022 * BOROPULSE.COM
Stop being afraid of stepping off the ledge. It didn’t go from being terrifying to being secure in a year. It takes sacrifice but it is worth it. Our lifestyle has provided experiences we would have never had if I had remained at my traditional job. My children are well-rounded, well-adjusted and extremely social with all age demographics.” DeeAnn Standlee has home-schooled as a stay-at-home mom, as a single mom and as a working married mom. “My husband does a lot of the running to lessons and such now but I still do most of the ‘school’ part with my son,” Standlee said. “My ex-husband is also involved with home schooling and that makes me very happy.” Marcy Green shares, “I was threatened with truancy due to my children’s medical issues. My children were bullied in public school and the school did nothing about the bullying even when brought to their attention. My children have been diagnosed with ADHD, autism, reactive airway disorder, celiac disease and Type 1 diabetes. Due to these issues, public school would be so much more stress on me and my children. My children struggle to learn in the traditional way that is taught at school.” Green insists her children need the one-on-one time and to learn the way that works best for them. “My kids’ mental health is important to me,” she continued. “I really don’t want them subjected to ridicule because of their struggles. I want to have control over what my kids learn both inside and outside of school.” These are just a few of the testimonials from home-school families I know personally. The home-school community at large is a diverse group of families that have shattered misconceptions regarding home schooling. Single parents, working parents and parents of children with special needs are all successfully home schooling their children. Tiffany Boyd is the founder of Free YOUR Children, a home school advocate, consultant, speaker and the founder of Middle Tennessee Christian Homeschool Connection. She and her husband have home educated for 18 years. Those considering home schooling and would like more information can contact Tiffany at freeyourchildren@ gmail.com.
