How do home school parents find the time and money?

Question

I would like to home school my children (Canada), but with all the money it takes just to keep a household running these days two parents would have to work, no?

Supporting-questions:
Is home schooling only for families where the income of one parent is enough to support the whole family? Isn't that the whole point of putting the children in public school, so both parents can work (and support the 'economy'; help the rich get richer; etc.)?

I'd like to thank everyone for their comments, I appreciate it [ignoring the idiotic ones].

I've just read through all of the answers people have given me, and wow, it's going to be difficult to choose a best answer, so don't feel bad if I don't choose yours, I'd like to choose about 5 of them, at least.

Regarding government support: In Canada, you can do public schooling at home (i.e. following the public curriculum and sending off homework to get marked by a teacher somewhere). There are lots of these because of long-distance education needs as the country is very spread out. But, when the government is giving you support, they want control. That’s another issue, as I was not impressed with my education, or lack thereof. We all had more fun at recess and lunch than at any other time. Art and cooking classes were OK. Science class had its moments. That adds up to a few good hours of memorable and useful education over the course of 13 years. I graduated high school not having any practical skills which I could use to get a good job and live life.

Answer 1

At the point when I started homeschooling, both of my children would have needed daycare. Prices in my county are $400 to $500 depending on the quality, and most parents tend to want a good quality daycare of course. That right there would have taken at least probably $900 a month of my income. (I unfortunately got a teaching degree which doesn't pay much in my state).

Don't forget taxes get taken out of your paycheck if you work. There are also other work-related expenses like extra gas, car maintenance, clothing, dry cleaning, lunches (that's usually a big one), and chipping in for luncheons and birthdays at the job, and other misc. expenses that always seem to crop up when you're working. You also always seem to spend more when you're working full-time because you feel like you should be able to "treat" yourself and you deserve it (my dh does this sometimes). I had figured out once when my former boss called me back about working again (after I started homeschooling) that if I started working, I would probably make maybe $50 a month or so takehome pay after I figured out all the expenses and taxes and everything else which just isn't worth it.

Probably one of the biggest expenses when you aren't homeschooling is your house. To get in a decent school (at least in America) you usually have to spend almost twice the money here in my state to get into a good school district. It costs about $250,000 in my county to get into the best school districts, but since we are homeschooling we live in a house that is perfectly fine, but is $150,000 b/c the schools are not very good. Everything is fine about the house but the school district, but we don't care since we're homeschooling so that is a huge savings for us.

Since we are living on one salary we also do live more frugally. We don't have fancy cars, we have a 1906 house, we shop at Target and WalMart, we don't eat at fancy restaurants, etc. My husband grew up living a more upper-class lifestyle, so I don't know if it is difficult for him, but I grew up living a middle-class lifestyle, and I am fine with it. I think it is good for kids to see how much their parents value education over material goods, and yet they still have every basic need met and will have plenty of Christmas presents under the tree. My son even had trouble coming up with 3 presents he wanted for Christmas from Santa (it took him a full week); they aren't big into material goods and I think that is a nice way to raise kids nowadays.

Answer 2

Oh, you save more than lunch money! There is a huge savings in clothing. A $4 t-shirt is one-fourth the price of a regular school top. That is a 75% savings on school clothes. Bare feet in summer and socks/slippers in winter is much cheaper than daily shoes. What about transportation? Unless you ride the school bus or walk, you will save here too. For some families the transportation savings is huge. With a more flexible schedule like Penn Foster has, you would probably be able to babysit or get a part-time job that pays $40 a month! If your mom would let you watch a neighbor's child after school each day, you could easily cover the cost of tuition and supplies and have some money left to save-- and even get your mom a nice gift on her birthday! It is true that independent home education is a BIG commitment for parents, but with a program like Penn Foster, they should not have to spend any more time than they do now for checking homework. Their level of support time for a private online school should not have to change very much, and may be less than if they had to regularly pick you up from sports or drama activities. Is there some issue other than money? Is your mom using the cost as an excuse for another reason, like not trusting you at home all day? Would you be willing to spend 20 minutes a day cleaning the house to make life easier for mom? Or cooking? You would really have to do it; not just promise and slack off, but if you can show your mom that her life will be simpler, not more complicated, that can be a good selling point too.

Answer 3

Given the number of families homeschooling in Canada is rising every year, it's doubtful that many of the families have both parents working.

It is certainly helpful if one parent makes enough to support the whole family, but I know a number of homeschooling families where the at-home parent (not always mom, but usually) has some sort of job. Most often this is an at-home business of some sort--dayhome, editing, consulting, dog boarding, etc.--but I do know at least a couple of families where one parent works hours where the other parent is home. I also know of a few single moms homeschooling who have managed to have some sort of at-home work which provides enough for them and their kids.

One big thing to keep in mind is that we easily let ourselves consume/purchase way more than we need to. You might find a number of things you can cut back on that will help with finances. You also don't need to purchase specific school supplies every year, pay lunch supervision fees, you get to really choose the field trips and can make them free or really cheap, you'll be less inclined to buy more expensive clothes because your kids won't be complaining that everyone else at school is wearing Gap or Old Navy (this applies to electronics, too) and more. The way Canadian taxes work, too, the earning spouse can claim a certain amount against the non-earning spounse. This will reduce the amount of tax the wage-earning parent will pay--and if it moves him down a tax bracket, even better! Not that this is all equivalent to having the second parent work, but when you add up all the expenses, you're not 'losing' as much as you might think. (Just thought of work clothes that you'd have to buy for work, too. Another expense!)

I don't know that the point of school is for both parents to work--but a lot of parents definitely see that benefit from it!

No, there is no 'socialist aid' for homeschoolers. Alberta has a small amount of funding ($650 for an entire school year--not exactly replacing a salary!) and I've heard that B.C. does if you register in a certain way. AFAIK, none of the other provinces provide any financial assistance at all.

And ignore those who would try to deter you with only their opinions.

E-mail me if you'd like to discuss this more.

Answer 4

One parent must make enough to support the family, yes. But at what lifestyle? Does a family need 4 cars, 6 TVs, and an in ground swimming pool?

You should sit down with your spouse and make a list of needs the family has. Eliminate all wants. Draw up a possible budget if you went to homeschooling.

Is it possible for the stay-at-home parent to also work part-time in the home doing a small business of some sort?

Be creative. Cut corners.

It does take a little money, but homeschooling has so many benefits that it is worth it if you can do it.

Merry Christmas,

Sue

Answer 5

Home schooling your children is a fantastic idea. I home schooled for three years. We went through the California Virtual Academy, which is taxpayer funded and had no costs. It was the best decision ever made because I got to know my children, we had tremendous fun and I was the one to instill our values into them. Money, of course, can be the deciding factor. Before home schooling I earned an excellent salary as a Hospice Nurse. That money was not available anymore after I quit and we lived on my husband's modest teacher income. It's doable, if you want it to be. We had to go without a lot of things, but were blessed in ways unimaginable, such as free vacations etc.. My kids had many friends from bowling league, gymnastics, neighborhood etc.. and are fine citizens. The question about socialization is usually asked by ignorant people.

Answer 6

Making time is simply a fact of discipline.

As far as money goes. Curriculum can be as cheap or expensive as you want it to be. I choose as cheap as I want it to be lol. There are free resources such as the library, which also has book sales at times.

www.cbd.com has WONDERFUL prices on books and such.

Now to address the two incomes thing. For some we had decide if it's more important for us to have really expensive things to show off to the world or to homeschool our children. We had a fancy house for show and an expensive truck, but we downsized it all. We have what we need now and nothing in excess. The funny thing is we're happier and less stressed now, hehehe.

When a mom works, unless she's making ALOT of money, alot of her wages goes to childcare, clothing, lunch foods for herself and children, gas money, and car upkeep. So by the time you're done, those things have eaten up most of your paycheck anyways lol.

You can also weed out those luxury expenses and you'd be surprised how much money may be wasted. So don't give up the hope of homeschooling, you can definitely do it. Start checking out what your town and library has to offer now, so you'll be prepared when/if you do homeschool.

There are lots of low cost and free local places you can visit for occasional fieldtrips. Many free worksheets and information to print out from the internet. Share curriculum with other homeschooling parents if you know any.

Scocasso ! said: "Isn't that the whole point of putting the children in public school, so both parents can work (and support the 'economy'; help the rich get richer; etc.)?"

I disagree with that being the whole point. There are many who put their kids in public school and still don't work lol. Some put their kids there because either they want to, have no choice, or don't know they have the option of homeschooling.

Answer 7

No you don't have to have both parents work. It could mean sacrifices, however what's the worst sacrifice you could make? Not doing what's right for your children. We recently traded down on our vehicles and purchased a more modest home than we might have, however it is allowing my wife to stay home with our two girls. After doing this I got a promotion at work has helped, but it also goes to show you never know what will happen tomorrow. Good luck and God bless. P.S. I truly believe someday you will look at your children and this is when you really see what your life has amounted to, cars won't matter houses, or what the neighbors thinks. Parents are only as good as we raise our children to be.

Answer 8

There's many great answers here! So here's mine. When I decided to have children I had already planned on staying home with them. I wanted to raise my children. I wanted to be there for their first word, first steps, all that. I was afraid If I worked and put them in daycare I would miss all that. I had children because I wanted them, so why send them to someone else all day. Not to mention that with the cost of daycare for 4 children there was no sense in me working because it would all go to daycare. We are in our first year of homeschooling. It would have been the first year that all of our children would have been in ps full time. I could have gotten a job and we could have had more. More material things. Instead I have more time with my children. My children have more time to explore their interests and more time to actually learn, not just try to memorize some facts for a test and then forget it. And amazingly, it is actually cheaper to homeschool than it was to have the kids in public school. There's so many resources to help with curriculum for homeschooling. Just do a search on free homeschooling, every day you will find more and more available. Follow the advise that's been given about making lists for exspenses and all that. It might amaze you. And what's more important? Your children or material things. Enjoy your children while you can. Once they are grown then if you want go back to work and get all those material things. Or teach your children by starting a home business together.

Answer 9

We make the time and the money, well its the money you give up by not working, not the money it costs to do it.

I could have all sorts of nicer stuff if I went back to work, like the pool I would LOVE to have, but my kids are worth waiting and saving for it the hard way.

It doesn't cost me any more to educate my kids by buying materials than it would for them to pay for lunch and uniforms at the local school here.

Answer 10

Home schooling takes organizational skills and strict financial planning in most cases. Although I have never homeschooled, I have several friends who have for various reasons---suprisingly, NONE are for religious reasons. In the cases that I am aware of, the children are usually special needs in one way or another. One is dyslexic and the other is ADHD. In each case, the parents have had to sacrifice luxury items in order to home school their children. In both families, the additional children are in either private or public schools. Although both families have to sacrifice financially, they are both absolutely sure that they have made the right decision for their particular children and their testing seems to prove them right. They also go out of their way in order to make sure their children have interaction with peers by keeping them active in civic groups (like scouts) and athletic teams. Swimming seems to be a favorite for homeschooled children.

All in all it seems to be a good experience and let's face it, homeschooled kids on the whole seem to be major achievers at the college level.