Today I interviewed a homeschool mama about how she continued to homeschool throughout her divorce. She shares what it is like to homeschool as a single parent. She has asked to remain anonymous.
In our family both parents want our children to be homeschooled, but for different motives. This has left the day to day commitment of education on me. As the marriage broke down all parenting and adulting responsibilities fell to me. Single parenting is a tough gig. It’s been a struggle to juggle parenting, educating, and working.
What are some of the struggles you had to deal with while homeschooling during your divorce?
The hardest thing to overcome has been scheduling responsibilities in such a way to preserve the natural flow of learning at curiosity and interest instead of condensing it all into high-pressure class time.
It is hard when the days are so fragmented with going to work, going to events, always juggling for some many people.
What has your divorce prohibited you from doing and how were you able to accommodate?
Being a single parent has prohibited me from doing as many hands-on activities with my kids as I had planned. I also don’t get to read to them as much as I would like.
To compensate we listen to audiobooks together in the vehicle and we always focus on having plenty of individual reading. We also watch a lot of YouTube and videos of places, projects, and demonstrations of science experiments.
Did you ever consider giving up homeschooling for a time?
Yes, I have considered giving up homeschooling for a time. I may have to if I can not create a flexible work schedule that provides for us. I know that even if my kids go to school, we will always have the habits of learning together.
When I consider giving up the homeschool schedule for a school schedule, I know there will still be homework and weekends. I will still know my kids and find ways to help them thrive in their interests. There will always be more books to read and places to explore.
What would you like other homeschoolers who are dealing with the same struggles to know that might encourage them?
My encouragement to others dealing with a divorce is to know that schooling at home is a relationship with your kids’ education that nothing can stop;
…even if you put them in supplemental classes or enroll them in school.
…even when what actually happens is far different than the education plan you set at the beginning of the semester.
Homeschooling is a gift to your family.
It is a way to set a precedent that as a family you love to learn.
I think kids need to see that learning is more than going through a class or a grade. Learning is a lifelong skill of adapting to and thriving in hard times and easy times. If you don’t let the hard times stop you from the wonder of exploring new things, they won’t either.
How to Homeschool in the Midst of the Hard Things Series
This is day 26 of the Homeschooling in the Midst of Hard Things Blog Series. We are so glad you are here! Check out the rest of the series by clicking the banner below.
Hi, I’m Dachelle. I’m a homeschooling mom of 3 in the South. I love chocolate and have been known to hide it from my children. I can often be found reading a good book (or even sometimes just an okay book) and enjoying a jar of Nutella — don’t judge. I blog, here, at HideTheChocolate.com when I’m not creating book clubs and making lists…lots and lots of lists (it’s an addiction). Learn more…
Thank you for sharing on this topic. I find myself single parenting 6 children while my husband is pursuing long term recovery from addiction. He left one year ago. I made the decision to find work and enter the kids into public education after 14 years as a stay at home, homeschooling mother. It is true that learning is a lifestyle which we always will share, I myself am now pursuing higher education. To anyone reading this: you are not alone!
Thank you for sharing your story. We do the best we can for our family at the time. Sometimes that means we have to make hard decisions. Praying for you and your family.