The Importance of Homeschool Support Networks

Homeschooling is becoming more main stream.  This does not mean that if you decide to homeschool your children that everyone you know will be in favor of this educational method.  It is very important when you decide to homeschool that you have a good support system in place.The first level of your support system is the people who share your home.  Homeschooling is not just an educational system but a lifestyle.  Undoubtedly the decision to homeschool your child or children will affect the way that your household runs.  Meals may be prepared and served at a different time than the family is accustomed to, your kitchen table may become the school desk. Even if your chosen curriculum is online there will undoubtedly be more paper, more books, and more mess than you might be used to.  Many families notice that the house doesn’t stay as straight and tidy when the housekeeper is also the teacher, there is just a limit to the number of hours in a day. If the people who share your home do not share yourhomeschooling vision, then you are less likely to be able to homeschool successfully.  It requires considerable commitment to homeschool children, from the preparation of lessons, to the grading of work, and even participating in field trips can have effect on the daily schedule.  Also consider the financial effect of one parent staying home to educate the children.  If this commitment cannot be agreed upon, then the homeschooling adventure is almost assured of failure.The second level of support that will improve the chances of homeschooling success is extended family.  While this level of support is not as vital as the primary family level of support, it is still important to consider.  When the grandparents, aunts, and uncles of the students are not supportive of the homeschooling idea it provides a source of friction with the parents that makes homeschooling more difficult. Having extended family support for homeschooling has other benefits besides just happy family relations.  Consider how beneficial having substitute teachers can be in your homeschool.  Or babysitters, when your older child gets the opportunity to participate in a field trip, or class where younger siblings are not allowed.  This level of support is important to the children and it is important to the parents.  It is a good thing to have a built in cheering section, and a ready-made pep squad, because homeschooling is hard work, and does not always go as planned. The third level of support is no less important than the second level but is listed separately.  This level of support in homeschooling is the homeschool group.  This is the extended group of homeschooling families.  These families contain the children that will be your children’s peers, and the adults that will be your peers.  If you are very lucky you might actually find close friends among the parents, remember that these families already share something in common with you in that they homeschool. These people will be the people you go on field trips with.  If you are new to homeschooling, these will be the people who help you understand the homeschooling laws in your locality.  These will be the homeschooling moms who remind you to relax, and enjoy the journey that ishomeschooling.  They will hold your hand during the trying times, and pat you on the back when you experience a success.  They will cheer your triumphs and offer solutions when you hit roadblocks. And finally, don’t discount “virtual” support groups.  There will be times when you hit a snag that none of your local group has experienced, or they have solved it in a method that you do not believe will work with your family.  At that point, don’t hesitate to hit the internet.  There are a great number of forums available on the internet that deal with many homeschooling and educational issues.  You can find kindred spirits online, whether they share your curriculum, or your religious beliefs, or their children have the same learning issue that yours do. You can homeschool in a vacuum but it is much easier to homeschool with a support network.  Don’t hesitate to add local museums and park systems to your list of resources.  While they might not technically be considered support, any individual or group that facilitates your homeschooling endeavor should be considered part of your support network.

ü  Homeschoolers support one another

One thing most homeschoolers need is a network of support. More than perhaps anything else, the people who support you as you learn how to best teach your kids at home give you strength. You need this strength to keep going when things get challenging. I like to say that homeschooling is almost like a sorority. When I first started, I met a woman who had been homeschooling a little longer than me. She became my Big Sis, my mentor, and eventually one of my best friends. After I'd been homeschooling a while, I met another woman who was brand new. She became my Little Sis, and my other friend and I mentored her together. She's now one of my best friends, too, and I have a feeling she'll be mentoring a newbie of her own before long.

ü  Why is support importan

Something I've learned over the past few years is that I am a lucky homeschooler. I say that because my parents and most of the rest of my extended family have been very supportive of my choices. I haven't had to deal with many people questioning why I chose homeschooling, how my kids will possibly be socialized, how I can presume to teach without a teaching certification, etc. Many of the people I know are not so lucky. The family and friends they have turned to over the years for support are not available to them now that they are homeschooling.That is why a network of support is so important. Homeschooling can be a great option for your family, and can be wonderful for your kids, both academically and socially. But there will be difficult times in your homeschooling journey. Don't believe anyone who tells you otherwise.When you face challenges choosing a curriculum that works for your child, or getting your child excited about a new subject, your friends can help. When you go through the loss of a job or a health problem and homeschooling is tough for a while, your friends can support you. When your family second guesses every decision you have made for your kids, no matter how well adjusted and bright they might be, you can turn to your friends.

ü  Who needs support?

In my opinion, almost every homeschooler needs support, whether it is just one other person or a large local or online group. Those who need it the most, though, are parents who are just beginning, because they need help wading through all the options available for homeschoolers. Also those who are going through a transition, such as from elementary school to middle school, may need extra support as the learn new ways of teaching their growing kids.

DAFTAR PUSTAKA

Warren Dinda.(2012). The Importance of Homeschool Support Networks.yogyakarta:Kanisius

Armstrong Fuller Tavia.(2010).Why Support Is So Important To Homeschoolers.surabaya:binakarya