Home School Heartbeat Radio Program

Home School Legal Defense Association Chairman and General Counsel Michael Farris encourages families to count the cost before making the decision to homeschool, today on Home School Heartbeat.

Michael Farris:
Before deciding to buy a house, most people do a lot of comparing and analyzing. Before deciding to homeschool, be realistic about the potential stresses your family may face.

Dr. Susan A. McDowell of Vanderbilt University did research on the impact of homeschooling on the life of the family. She found that homeschooling moms listed the following as the most stressful elements of homeschooling: lack of organization, housework, concerns about children learning what they need to be learning, dealing with financial issues, choosing a curriculum, concerns about using the correct teaching method, volunteer responsibilities, the difference between expectations of homeschooling and the reality.

If you're considering homeschooling, talk with an experienced homeschooling family. See how they handle these issues positively. Trust God to give solutions for your family's particular stress points.

I personally believe that the nature of stress for homeschooling moms is overall less than moms who have their lives separated into multiple categories such as mom, employee, and wife. A homeschooling mom's life is more integrated, bringing greater satisfaction in the long run.

I'm Mike Farris.