For most single parents, it can seem like homeschooling is not an option, but it's not impossible if you are willing to get creative! Follow these steps to begin your homeschooling journey!

As many parents contemplate their options, homeschooling your kids as a single mom may seem too out-of-reach, but it doesn’t have to be.

There are many benefits to homeschooling your children whether you are in a single-parent home or a dual-parent home. The advantages include:

· You monitor what they are learning and can filter their lessons through a Christian lens

· Improve your family time together and build stronger relationships with one another

· Protect them from issues like bullying, school violence, peer pressure, etc

· Help them heal, particularly if your family has been through a loss like death or divorce, homeschooling your kids provides them with a stable environment where they can heal

The truth is, just like a dual-parent home, you just need a plan if you want to homeschool your kids. Setting up a homeschool strategy as a single mom isn’t that difficult, you’ll just need to get creative.

Steps to setting up homeschooling as a single parent

Whether you are looking at homeschooling because of COVID-19, or if it is something your heart has been guiding you to for a while, the good news is, you can homeschool and be a single parent.

Here are some steps you’ll need to take to begin your family’s journey.

1. Finances. Let’s face it, income is one of our biggest obstacles to schooling our kids at home when we are single parents. You’ll need to figure out a way to continue bringing money into your home. There are some different ways to do this, the top one being flexible work options if your employer will accommodate you. You may also want to look into jobs that you can do from home and work around your kids’ schooling schedule. The key is to diversify where the money comes from. Consider all the places you get your income from, including child support and any social or government support you get. See if you can stretch those dollars a little further or cut back on some extras that you don’t need.

2. Childcare. Consider what options you have for childcare, especially if you need to put in some time at the office. Do you have family nearby or friends that can help you out for a few hours during the week? You may want to look into blended schooling programs, which offer your kids the opportunity to attend classes a couple of days a week. These days can give you the freedom to work or run errands or just have a little downtime to yourself. Remember you don’t have to be schooling every day, all day. With homeschooling, you can be flexible about when you and your kids do their lessons.

3. Build a support team. Band together with other homeschooling parents – whether single or married – and create a support team to help you. You can also include any family members or friends who are willing to help you make homeschooling happen for you and your kids. The truth is that you can homeschool as a single parent, but it is going to be much easier if you have a team of support to help you handle the struggles and encourage you along the journey.

Take heart, single mom, if your heart is prompting you to homeschool your children. It is possible but it will take some courage. Are you a single mom who is on the homeschooling journey? I’d love to hear your story and your advice in the comment section below.