Do you know if a homemaker can home school her child ?

Question

I would like to home school my daughter however I don't know if I can and how would I go about doing this, I reside in PA.

Answer 1

find a online school...some are just like public school but you do the work on line..my son is enrolled in a great online program through the state...go to it just to check it out and see what they have to offer..

http:/www.ecotohio.org/

Answer 2

I am a homeschooling mom & a home maker. I only have my GED too. You first off need to check out the laws in your state. Go to:

http://www.hslda.org/laws/default.asp?State=PA also see the other links I have below.

What is great you learn along with your child. I quit school in the 10th grade & have dyslexia, but I have learned so much along with my oldest child.

Find a good support group around where you live. Just do a search online. Get to know other moms.

Homeschooling isn't for everyone. We are a Christian family & I can tell you without the help from God & our church (my oldest goes to classes there once a week) I couldn't homeschool. It is a lot of work but it is fun.

Just think you were there when your daughter said her first words, took her first steps now you can be there when she reads her first sentence, writes her first letter & everything! : )

Answer 3

GO FOR IT! However - be warned that the homeschooling laws in PA are among the toughest in the nation (not saying this to scare you, I just want you to do the homework first). Check out the HSLDA website for info specific to PA. Then make sure you join HSLDA in case you get into a battle with the state or your district.

The first step is to know and follow the laws for your state. Next, you need to determine your educational philosophy (method). There are at least a dozen out there, including: classical, unit studies, unschooling, Charlotte Mason, Montessori, tutoring, Waldorf, eclectic, ... You need to know this because it will help with curriculum choices, which is the next thing...

Choose your curriculum. If you're unschooling, you will probably buy very little, as the world is your school. If you follow classical, Charlotte Mason, unit studies, or some of the others, you may be able to use the library for a lot of your resources. You may choose to go with an online-based school. To help narrow your choices, check out Cathy Duffy's book, "100 Top Picks for Homeschooling" or her website where she reviews hundreds of available materials. When you're ready to buy, go to Rainbow Resource - they have the best selection and best prices.

Make sure you get involved with a local support group or co-op. They will be invaluable in your first year of homeschooling (which is the toughest). They can also help out with curriculum choices by allowing you to look through some things before you buy. And they can give you great organizing tips and hints for dealing with nosy neighbors (or relatives).

Feel free to email if you have any further questions.

Answer 4

I don't know what the laws are in Pennsylvania, but if you're worried about having the knowledge to homeschool, there are alot of resources out there for you. You can do Switched on Schoolhouse which practically teaches them. My son is doing Algebra 1 with Saxon and DIVE CD's this year. We have high school co-ops as well where the kids can get instruction from qualified people and the parents only oversee the education.

Answer 5

Home education laws vary from state to state. For example, I live in Texas and I would not contact the state board of education.
I would start by contacting the HSLDA, Home School Legal Defense Association. They have a website and can direct you as to the laws of your state.
And as for a homemaker teaching her children at home? Of course!
Taking care of a family and a home has been one of the most diverse, demanding, challenging, rewarding things I have ever done. The job of being mom and caretaker of our family has prepared me for home education in ways no other job could.
for example:
I take care of our finance, which means I had to learn how to survive on one income instead of two. I pay all the bills, schedule payments, budget, plan for retirement, and allow for all those unexpected. I'm also the main holiday planner, juggling gifts, parties, meals so on and so forth (and handling the finances that go along with that)
I do all the grocery shopping, meal planning, cooking, cleaning, errand running, mending, and whatever else needs to be done.
I manage and implement the schedules of four very busy people all the while making sure everyone is where they need to be when they need to be there, with what they need to do what they went there for.
I do the yard work (stress therapy, by choice) I garden, read, volunteer, teach (other kiddos, not just mine), run 18 miles a week, have personal devotion time, bible study time, and still find time for date night with my husband, individual nights with my kids, family night and dinner with friends night.
I'm the nurse and doctor on call when someone is sick, including our cat.
I volunteer in our church and our community and make sure my children do the same.
There's probably more, and that does not include my duties as offical homeschool mom, but you get the idea.
Are we qualified to teach our children?
Oh my goodness yes! And obviously better qualified than most people think.
I hope this encourages you to believe in yourself! :)

PS and despite all that, I still find time to sneak on here and answer a ridiculous amount of questions. :)

Answer 6

Anyone can home school,you don't even have to know a thing about schooling,because you order curriculum's,and they are the ones that teach your kids,you just read what they say,and when your child grows up,she can learn on her own,cause some curriculum's com on the computer.I would go to www.cbd.com,and there you'll find tons of home schooling curriculum's,and books on home schooling.GOOD LUCK!

Answer 7

YES! With you being at home gives you mountains of time to spend with your daughter. Check out charter schools for homeschooling your child. You wont have to fill out an intent to homeschool because its public. I have an address: www.go2boss.com
Its an Ohio charter but it started in PA so I know there is a sister school out there. Go to their website and give them a call to find out what the name of their school is in PA.

Its so great, they have fantastic teachers, you have your pick of several sattilite or online schools. They send computers with technical help, they organise field trips for other homeschoolers, they send and pay for all curriculum and materials. They pay for internet access and up to 75.00 a three month period for gym type classes. There is an email group for you to talk to other homeschoolers...I love it. I homeschooled for 5 years on my own but with one starting high school and another starting kindergarden it was taking too much of my time to find material for school. And moving to a new neighborhood I had a difficult time filing my intent because the man in charge didn't believe in homeschooling. It took so much pressure off of me.

You and your daughter can sit down and find common interests and go on several field trips. Just mention homeschooling and see how many discounts to museums, book stores, dance classes, pottery classes, art classes, ice skating (the list goes on), you will get. Sometimes you can do it for free. Just call ahead. Also your community should have a homeschooling group in your area that you can get on field trips, outings, picnics, story time, babysitting classes.... join others who have what you and your daughter have in common. Your going to love it!

Answer 8

My mom homeschooled me from k-5 to 12th grade and I graduated! Yes, a mother can homeschool, it takes patience yes, and some time on your part, but the memories and learning from a mother, is a memory and life I know cherish because of my moms choice to homeschool me. Its fun going to school and such, but most teachers in school can spend time one on one with each student and many kids & parents are left in the dust.
Homeschooling will give your child this rare, awesome chance to have a one on one teacher. And what could any child ask for better, than to have his or her own mother be their teacher!
I thank my mom for doing this for me!

Answer 9

Yes, if you have love and the drive to ensure that your childs needs are met you can indeed homeschool.

Go here: http://hslda.org/laws/default.asp?State=PA for your states laws and then immediately to here: http://homeschoolcentral.com/message.htm and join on a message board specifically for homeschoolers who will gladly help guide you.

Or email me privately. If you're a Christian a quick google for Christian Homeschool Support will turn up numerous helps. :-)

Answer 10

I'm a home maker and I do.

Try this site for info about PA...