Is it possible for a single mother to homeschool?

Question

I'm recently divorced and almost 40 and don't have any children. I am considering the possibility of becoming a single parent and am wondering if this pretty much dooms me to sending my child to public school. Is there anyone out there who has managed to home school as a single parent? I'm not even sure I want to home school, but public school was not good to me and I want to look at my options.

In response to questions about my education, I have a degree in mathematics from UCLA.

Answer 1

The short answer is "Yes" you can. The longer answer depends on several factors. Are you going to adopt an older (more independent) child or will this be a younger child who will require your attention? Do you work from home or will you need to find someone to care for your child while you work? If you work from home, will you be able to set work aside when your child needs attention or help? Are you planning on unschooling or following a more strict curriculum? There's also the question of a social life - what activities will your child be involved in so s/he can interact with others besides yourself?

The answers to these questions will help determine if homeschooling is the right choice in your circumstance. I don't believe any state requires a child to have two parents "at home" in order to homeschool, although it certainly does make it a whole lot easier.

In my experience, homeschooling is a full-time job. Between preparing assignments, teaching assignments, grading assignments, cleaning house, cooking, grocery shopping, paying bills... I would not have time for another job. But that's just me. I know a single mom who homeschools her 14 yo son while she works from home, so it IS possible, but, of course, her son is older and more independent.

So the long answer is: it depends entirely on your own beliefs and abilities.

Answer 2

My sister has one child and is on her own with him homeschooling and one of my friends has 4 boys on her own and is homeschooling them. I see lots of people have mentioned money and it could be an added stress if you don't think you could manage financially. It won't make a great deal of difference to the quality of your homeschooling if you are on your own.

I have been homeschooling our two children (14 and 9) and it is the most challenging work I have ever undertaken. I do think it would have been more challenging without the input of my partner, however if you set up your support network you can succeed and most likely will. Most of my best friends are now other homeschoolers, it is a close community.

Also remember that your experience of school will not be your child's. There is also more options in schooling now, and some wonderful, motivated, talented teachers, so keep your mind open to all options.

Good luck.

Answer 3

I did it for several years alone after my divorce. It could have been better, had I more friends or family involved at the time.

I had a job which I chose to do weekends and evenings, so I was at home during school hours most weeks, I made sure they had outings, went to Bible vacation camp, and did volunteer work. They were, however, already in their teens and able to do a lot of things on their own while I was away. They cooked and cared for themselves.
This would be impossible with a small child. I recommend a nanny or a live-in helper if you don't live close to family. If you live close to family, by all means, arrange for care while you work. Children learn a LOT from grandparents and extended family, or good friends. Meet with other homeschoolers in your neighborhood, maybe they will be glad to incorporate your child in exchange for a service you can provide their children...exchange reading and storytelling for your child on Monday in return for a piano lesson or PC lesson you give to their children on Friday afternoons...you get the picture!

Answer 4

Why not? Even if your working 40 hours a week you can still do it. It will be hard but if you have family and friends who are willing to help you it shouldn't be a problem. Make sure they have socialization skills, so you will have to give them opportunity to do so. Play dates, dance classes, bowling leagues, music lessons, art classes are fine for all of that. It takes a community to raise a child...I think people have forgot that somewhere along the way. They see homeschooled children in dark rooms with books piled high. Its not like that at all. My friends teach my children, my family teach my children, I teach my children...
So as long as you have some sort of support system, and with homeschooling parents reaching out to each other for that very support, I don't see any problem why you can't be a single mom who homeschools their child(ren). Good luck...

Answer 5

Public school is not a skull and cross bones. It's not the worst thing in the world. If you don't want public, try private, church, etc. But, at 40, no children, considering being a single parent.....get your priorities straight first and than worry about things like this. Why, at 40, being divorced want to be a single parent is you have no kids now. What are you going to do, adopt, have a child. You really don't make much sense to me.

Answer 6

It'll depend a bit on where you live. I do know people who have made arrangements where the kids were essentially babysat at someone else's house during the day and the parents provided the work that had to be done, with the 'babysitter'--usually a SAHM--would kind of supervise things. I have also heard of parents getting jobs at home or changing shifts so that they are with their kids for at least part of the day for schooling and then have a caregiver for their work hours.

In some places, the child needs to be with the parent during the day. In other places, the child needs to be supervised by a certified teacher. You'd have to find out for sure what the legalities of it are. But it's certainly do-able!

Answer 7

i am homeschooling my children. i am a single mom of four and homeschooling the older three (kinder,3rd and 4th grade). i work from home so this is very easy for me. that would be the one factor you need to think about, can you afford to stay home and atleast devote 5 hours a day to lessons. there are some great curriculums out there. so when you decide to become a parent, you still have options even though you'll be a single parent. GOOD LUCK!

Answer 8

Yes it is possible for a single mother to home school their kids.And your right public schools have just gotten out of control these days the kids and the teachers.My mom has been a single mom since I was 3 years-old and she has home schooled my sister and I by herself.She went through alot of things before and after the home schooling but never gave up.So that's basically it no matter how hard it gets don't give up because that's what my dad and everybody else around her did and the ended up nowhere.

Answer 9

I am a single parent of three and I homeschool two of my children. If you are interested in homeschooling, go to www.hslda.org and check out what your state laws are. They may be too much for you to handle. It is your right to homeschool. Do not homeschool if you feel that you will be too overwelmed. If you have any questions, you can contact me by e-mail and I will try to help you out when you are ready. I decided to give my children more that just schooling at home. I started a support group with several other homeschooling parents in the area. You can go to my home page. If you are interested in homeschooling, juggle your options.

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Answer 10

while of course it is harder, remember you can normally teach a child in 4 hours what it takes all day to learn in school.
Next the entire time you are with them can be a learning experience, you don't have to do it ... to .... 5 days a week, you can do some each day even. Going to the store can be educational if you make it so.

Ok, since you will have to work, it will be harder, and finding someone to care for a school age child while you work will be harder also.