Can I Homeschool without a degree?: Reader Q & A

Let’s chat about why anyone can homeschool regardless of their education level. Can I homeschool without a college degree?

My favorite part of blogging is connecting with readers and I especially love to receive your encouragement, thoughts, and questions in my inbox.

Today we are tackling one reader’s questions covering whether anyone can homeschool regardless of their education level.

Hi Elizabeth,
It is such a blessing to find your blog! I am a Chinese Catholic married to an American. I can speak English but still have a lot to learn.
Homeschooling has been on my mind for a while but due to my poor English and lack of knowledge of how to homeschool, even though I have been reading books and talking to some local moms, I still don’t have any confidence to do it.
We have 6 kids under 9. And our 4 year old boy has epilepsy and other problems. Sometimes I feel overwhelmed just taking care of the kids. Can I really homeschool them if I am this weak?
I also thought the parents have to be very educated to homeschool. At least the families I talk to are pretty educated
I graduated from college as a English major but I don’t think I am good enough to teach my kids. My husband was homeschooled but more unschooling style. He just got a GED.
Our kids are at public school now, and I can see they do learn something there. I know if you know what your doing, homeschool is the best!
God bless you and your beautiful family.
Your Reader

Can I homeschool without a College Degree?

Let’s get this out of the way first. Yes(!), you ABSOLUTELY can homeschool no matter what your education level.

You can even homeschool without a college degree, which seems to be the measure of education in the USA.

If you decide through prayer that God is leading your family to homeschool, He will most certainly give you the grace to accomplish that goal.

I grew up in public school, but I knew several homeschool families whose parents did not have a college education. Their children were able to go on to college.

If you are a parent, then you can homeschool.

Can I homeschool with high needs children?

I’m not for sure if you know that my 8 year old has epilepsy.

He began having seizures when he was 5 and his condition was very serious for a while. After some very rough years, God is healing him as his epilepsy is a type that can be outgrown. I certainly know the struggles that go with that terrible disease and the stress that it brings into the whole family.

Sending my children to public school was something that crossed my mind, but I’m grateful we were together during those rough years.

Homeschooling during that time meant schooling whenever we were home (almost year round), focusing heavily on the 3 R’s, and using grab and go curriculum.

So, yes, to this question too!

Is it more difficult? Absolutely. But it can really be the best educational option for your special needs child AND your other children.

Can I homeschool with lots of little kids?

God has certainly blessed you with lots of little souls and I know you can wonder how you will have enough to give to each what they need.

There are many large families that do homeschooling well and we can look to them for inspiration, hope, and example.

Thankfully there a tools (good curriculum) and techniques that can help you accomplish homeschool even in the midst of busy family life.

Choosing homeschool curriculum that works

#1-Choose Easy to Use Curriculum

There are many schools of thoughts on how to homeschool, but I hold that the best way to homeschool is with materials that your family will use on a daily basis. This consistency will create learning regardless of the method employed.

For consistent learning to happen, choose homeschool curriculum that is not entirely dependent on YOU.

You are obviously in high demand in your home and you need the curriculum to do the work for you.

This is not to say you will be eating bon-bons while the children sit at the table working.

Each child’s education will need your oversight and time, but don’t spend that precious time and energy of yours in a needless way.

AVOID:

creating your own curriculum
lots of prep work
lots of bits and pieces to keep track of

Early Elementary

For early elementary years, homeschool takes about 30 minutes-1 hour. My boy with epilepsy takes much longer as he has “epilepsy brain” that makes focus extremely difficult.

Here are a few of our favorite easy to use curriculum for this stage.

Abeka math workbooks
Seton penmanship
Explode the Code workbooks (for phonics instruction)
Easy readers (Little Angel Readers, Bob Books, Dr. Seuss, etc.)

I supplement that foundation with lots of reading of good books and doing things as a family (playing board games, cooking, exploring outdoors, learning about the faith, etc.)

Much of early elementary science and history can be taught through just reading to your child. Encourage reading in your home and your child can independently learn so much!

Spelling is reinforced by the child’s phonics program, and students can easily cover beginning English/Grammar and writing concepts when they are better readers and writers.

Using just the workbooks I suggested, it may cost under $75 per student per year of homeschooling.

Later Elementary

Beyond 3rd grade (or when the student is a solid reader), we begin slowly adding in more and more subjects.

Essentials

Saxon Math Books (~$100, can be used for other students)
Seton English/Grammar Workbooks (~$20/year)
Seton Spelling ($20)
Institute for Excellence in Writing (IEW) ($120 for Student Writing Intensive, then move into IEW’s writing workbooks which are less expensive. These can all be used by future students.)
Religion (Seton Workbooks or Baltimore Catechism)
Typing (typing.com FREE!)
Intentional Book List

Niceties

Story of the World Audiobooks (for History)
Art (Drawing Textbook)
Latin (Latin for Children)

School takes a few hours at this age and the approximate cost is $250/year.

Middle School and High School

As our children get older, we will be adding in more formal science study (Apologia science is the plan this year) and history work.

Science curriculum are a bit pricey and we’ll most likely be budgeting around $600 for education at this age. I expect school to take 5 – 6 hours.

A good checklist will keep your kids on task.

#2-Foster independence

In the early elementary years, I focus on the 4 R’s: reading, writing, arithmetic, and religion.

As soon as possible, I encourage them to complete as much of their school work on their own as possible. (Usually, a few math problems.)

Once my children have learned to read fluently, they gain more and more independence in their school day.

Using the right curriculum helps this process.

To create independence, you need curriculum that:

is (mostly) self taught
has frequent assessments or tests (to gauge understanding)
don’t require much of teacher time

In our house, this has meant workbooks, video lessons, and textbooks mostly.

#3-Create an environment of discipline and respect

If you are considering homeschooling, you can begin now by making sure your children obey you “all the way, right a way, and with a joyful heart.”

You will save so much time and energy if your children will “do school” when you tell them.

Make sure your husband is on board and that he will back you up if children are having problems with this.

#4- Get to know your local homeschoolers

I’m sure the local homeschoolers you referenced would be happy to help you in any way they could.

Don’t be afraid to ask them about curriculum or how they run their homeschool.

I get asked questions a lot and I love it!

#5-Keep close to Christ

I am weak, just like you. I am nothing without Christ.

Homeschooling (and parenting in general) is a difficult job and I could not do it without Christ’s strength and the gift of grace I receive in the sacraments.

#6 Hire out

If the budget allows when your children get into more in depth writing, you could hire a tutor.

Writing is the one subject that may be difficult for you to help your child with if English is not your first language. (I wish I could speak a second language as well as you do English!)

I hope these tips help!

Prayers for your family especially your 4 year old! I wish you the best on your journey ahead, wherever that takes you!