Can a single father of 7 homeschool? Is it possible?

Question

My wife and i had 7 kids before she passed away 4 years ago. They are now (boys)13, 12, 8, and 5; (girls) 9, and twin 6 yo's. It took a while for us to get a schedule down but now things are running smoothly. During the school year, i work 9-5 at my office (i'm in buisness for myself), and i arranged for my 23 yo neighbor to be there at 3 for when the 5 youngest got home. she was there for 2 1/2 hours until i got home. during the summer, i am working from home, and when i go out, or schedule an appt. then Carrie comes over for the kids. This has been working out great for us until my oldest son came and said "dad, middle school was bad enough, please don't make me go to high school". and now all of them want to be homeschooled. i understand where they are coming from, and i put up with a lot of c**p in public school that i don't want my kids to go through. but there is no possible way that i can homeschool all 7 of them, plus continue to run my buisness. how do i break it to them?

Answer 1

It will take dedication and committment, but as others have said, you can definitely do it!

You will need to have a plan and be willing to tweak it a bit until everything works.  But once you get a good schedule going, homeschooling could work out great for you.  Here are some tips for working and homeschooling:

http://www.successful-homeschooling.com/...

Here's a website full of homeschooling information that may be of use to you:

http://www.successful-homeschooling.com

Good luck!

Answer 2

I truly believe it could be done.  It might be hard getting started but it is possible.  The oldest could be in charge while you are gone.  You may even be able to get a Christian private school to give you a discount on (or maybe even free) enrollment for your children in their school because of your situation.  Please, I beg you for you children's sake, do not force your children to continue going to a public school.  They will be taught to hate you.  No joke.  They will even be in physical danger.  I myself have never been to a public school.  But my older brothers and sisters have and they would get beat up all the time for no reason.  One time one of my brothers was walking to school and a guy about twice his size (who my brother didn't even know) came up behind my brother and hit him on the back of the head, knocking him out.  My brother is lucky he is even alive!  And that was over 15 years ago, think of how much, MUCH worse it is now!  That is one reason (among many) why I have never been to public school.

I beg you to consider reading a book I recently read titled Public School h**l (not my book, though I wish it was).  Public School h**l is very clear and easy to read.  It shows the reasons behind the public school shootings, drug abuse in the public schools, rise in premarital s*x among teens, etc.  It PROVES that the public schools of the United States of America are RELIGIOUS humanist schools teaching their God-hating doctrines.  Public School h**l even gives the only key and sole solution to stopping the indoctrination of children in the public schools.  And Public School h**l is (in my opinion) the most interesting and most important book I have ever read outside of the Holy Bible.  The main thing I like about Public School h**l is that it is very well documented providing a GREAT amount of proof with everything it says.  I believe that if you read it you will be 100% sure that you do NOT want to send your precious children to public school.  Please check it out on Amazon.com here http://www.amazon.com/PUBLIC-SCHOOL-h**l...

I truly hope you get the chance to read that book.  It has opened my eyes to what is going on in the public school system.  I have one daughter now (2 months old) with the hopes of having many more children and I pray I never send them to public school.  I can't even imagine what it would be like to raise children without my wife (makes me want to cry just to think about it), but I know that the public school system will try and destroy my children if I let it.  Do not let them turn your children against you!  I will be praying for you!  If you have any questions please feel free to e-mail me.

Answer 3

Be honest with them that you cannot provide them with all of their educational needs....  Your oldest sounds like he had a bad year and you can always call the school guidance counselor (or their grief counselor if they see one) and explain that he had a rough year and you would like to know what you can do to prepare him for high school and ease his mind.  We have all been through stuff in school and as adults most of us have learned valuable lessons from it all...

Answer 4

Just tell them that you love them and even though you'd love to spend more time with them and teach the things they don't know, you just don't have time and need to work to pay the bills and buy food. They might be upset for a little while but you may just have to give them a little more attention when school e starts.

Hope this helps. =)

Answer 5

Yes, a single father of 7 can homeschool. Check into the Robinson Curriculum. The man who developed it was in somewhat the same situation you are.

Answer 6

The 13 and 12 year old can do a lot of self-directed study. The younger ones can be taught at the end of the day - homeschooling really doesn't take up a 7 hour day like public or private schooling does. It can take 1/4 -1/2 the time that they do, really.

I have seen mothers that homeschool 12 kids.

My family only homeschools one kiddo.

Homeschooling is never "easy," but it surely beats the low-points of public or private schooling.

Would it be possible, since you own your own business, to move your office into your home? As I said, homeschooling needs only take up 4 hours a day, at the most. 8-12n is a typical. Then the older kids could play with the younger for the rest of the day, while you work to provide other important things such as food and shelter. :)

I am sorry for you and your children's loss. I will be praying for you.

Answer 7

I think it is time you read the story of the Robinson family.   The founder of the Robinson Curriculum,  he also had multiple children and was widowed.  He went on to raise his children, run his business and home educate his children.  Google it.  it is inspirational for everyone.

Answer 8

I WOULD NOT SUGGEST IT!!!! Tell him highschool is alot easier than middle school which it truly is! If you did that you would be putting your childrens education in jepoardy . Theres no way you can make sure all 7 of your kids could get an education with just one dad!

Answer 9

If you are thinking about homeschooling at all, look into it. Call your state's board of education. Many of them have online or virtual schools now. They operate like a charter school. One in my state is K12 virtual academy   www.k12.com/ohva/. Since these are charter schools, they are free to you just like a public school. They also follow that state's curriculum and have to be accredited. Each student has a licensed teacher that works in conjunction with the family and they do quarterly conferences (in person). So it is like homeschooling, but you have the support of a school. I am looking into this option now, but I haven't tried it yet. I have heard good things if you want to take the option of homeschooling.

But if this just isn't in the cards for you, be upfront with your children. It is such a hard situation for all of you, but they need to know that you need to go to work if they want to eat. Also, talk to why your sone is so adamant about not wanting to go to school. When I was his age, I was bullied terribly and I never wanted to go to school. Maybe he is having a lot of problems with other students. Consider a a wait and see approach in a few months. He might decide he likes high school better (I adjusted better in the new environment). If he is still having a difficult time, maybe revisit the idea of just homeschooling him or generate some other ideas together.

Best of luck to you and your family. I can't imagine how you do it, but hang in there!

Answer 10

Absolutely! Go for it. Start with the older 2- get them settled in and then add in the other children.

There are many online options where the kids can work independently. That would be a good goal-they can homeschool when they show they can be independent learners.

Look online for k-12 online schools.

Sonlight is another great curriculum as is ALEKS math.

ALEKs is completely independent and online. They could start this summer with the one month free trial and you could monitor and use this as a "test" time to see what they could handle.

Warm Regards,

Jana

http://www.summerhouseliving.com

http://www.purehomeschooling.com

Answer 11

A good idea is in the start of the school year to talk to the children's school. They should be able to give you details about what you can do and even help you along the way!

Answer 12

Unless you're super patient and the kids are like roboticly perfect and calm, yes.  But not all kids are calm and 7 is a big number. If you hire a homeschooler (1 or 2), they can help.  =]

Answer 13

This man's story may inspire you and encourage you.

http://www.robinsoncurriculum.com/

Here is the particular page that pertains to your situation.

http://www.robinsoncurriculum.com/view/r...

Answer 14

Didn't you ask this question a few months ago? Not "How can I do it?" But "How do I tell them no?"

you've already moved into single parenthood, the loss of their mother will have been the hardest thing you've ever managed. How much harder would homeschooling be??

Since you are in business for yourself, I would suggest either moving your office home, OR make a room at your office to be set up as a classroom and bring the kids with you. Since you are already working from home during the summer, it's obviously not a stretch, and I other single parents who've done it.

As the mom of seven herself, you and I both know that the difference between three kids and seven isn't as big as the difference between one and two!

The Duggar family homeschool by having partners, older children mentoring the younger ones. Of course, they have nineteen.

Answer 15

It will be tough but it can be done. Especially since you are in business for yourself. You will have to be home pretty much full time instead of at an office. The 13 and 12 year old can use the same curriculum except for maybe math as can the 9+8 yos and the 6 and 5 yos. Sonlight may be an excellent program for you. With so many kids the cost of starting it will be worth it.

I spent close to 900.00 to start but that was the Cores for 2 years and all of the other stuff that we wanted and a few things for my 5yo. The actual Core was about 650.00. You have to add the math. When we broke it down from the 900.00 it came to like 150.00 a year / child but for you it will be even less/ kid.

This is something you can do especially if your neighbor is supportive and will help. My sister home schools 5, volunteers at her church and has a part time at home job. I also have 3 kids (I know big deal) and work from home as an insurance inspector. I go out 2 days a week and work with my kids the other 5 days. On the days I go out I have my niece babysit and the kids spend the day playing. They go to the park and have a good time with her. They also do some school work on those days or go on Field trips.

If you need school can be done on line especially for the older kids. I have heard great things about Switched on Schoolhouse and Abeka (both are pretty self driven and DVD based) School can also be done at night when you are finished with your work.

The beauty of Home school is that you can work it around you schedule,  beliefs, and learning styles. If you really feel that you can't do this then just tell them there is no way and why.

Just a thought that may help the financial situation. Are the kids on SSI? Since mom has passed they can qualify. You have to apply and it takes time but it may help with the fianical stress! My Sis in law got it when my brother passed in Iraq.

Answer 16

It is possible, with the technology that the schools have. I know this probably sounds stupid coming from a teenager, but I am going to be homeschooled, and neither one of my parents have to help me with the course that I am doing. Manhattan, KS and Lawrence, KS both have great homeschool that the kids do on their own. Manhattan KS homeschool supplies everything that you need, and will reimburse you for the money that you spend on the internet. They do supply the Laptop, and it is relitivley cheap.

Answer 17

My sincere condolences on your loss.

I fully support you making the decision that is best for your family, whether that be school, home school for some, or home school for all, of your children.

I have provided you with a link about single parent homeschooling, in case you want to explore that possibility.

Whatever your decision, you have my support.

All the best.

Answer 18

There is no possible way to homeschool them.  You would not even have the time to get current on all the high school subjects, much less design 7 different lesson plans then actually teach them all.  You have to explain that high school classes will teach them things that are more interesting and complicated than you can teach.  Also explain that High School is hard socially for everyone, its because of age not location.  You should also help them find groups/clubs so they can make good supportive friends.  Band, sports, community service, 4-H, church, theater, ..., someplace they can feel "in".

Answer 19

I know a lady that home schooled her 6 kids.  I think you could do it but it would be very difficult for you because you work all day.  You would be able to buy a curriculum that is already put together for you that comes with DVDs but that could be kind of expensive especially for only having one income and having 7 kids.  I don't think it would be easy for you for you to home school them all.  I guess what I am saying is you could probably do it but it would be difficult, but it is possible.  

Good luck with what ever you decide to do.

Answer 20

Coming from a kid in the public school system, I think what you have to do with the older kids is sit down and simply say that if you homeschool them, you would have to quit your job leaving the family with very little money to get by on. Also explain to them that if they are home schooled, they will not get the interaction with the other kids for the most part except for those in the family, that means not a lot of play dates or times to hang out. Your eldest son might be moving on to the whole dating scene now and that would be tricky for him. Stand strong on the whole high school thing and tell him that it is important and that you are there for him at any time you might be needed. You have to make him want to go to high school. Try to snag his interest in a few clubs or sports and you'll have him set. I was never home schooled but as I'm a senior in high school now, I really realize that I am glad I wasn't. In the real world you don't have the option to work from your parents house for the most part. You always have to learn to comunicate with new people and high school really forces some of the beginings of those people skills.

Hope this helps and do not feel bad! You need some time of silence to yourself as a father of seven and I bet work is one of those only times. The first few weeks of school you might hear some pouting but they'll settle in!

Answer 21

go to hslda.com and find your state under homeschooling laws.  Then find your area and there should be some homeschooling groups.  These can help you.  They may still go to this group on a weekly basis, but there are less children and the atmosphere is homeschooling.  go for it! Make sure to pray about it.

Answer 22

Yes, it is possible for you to homeschool your kids.  All 7.  It will take time and commitment on your part and theirs, but it can be done.

Don't forget that homeschooling can be done at any time of day, not necessarily just "school hours".  Maybe the two olders could go to your office with you, get done with their schoolwork, then help you as "apprentices".  They'll learn lots of practical applications for their academic skills.  Homeschool is very portable.  9 and 8 could do some of their work with Carrie at home, if she's willing, then you could go over it with them in the evening.  If you prefer, the 6's and 5 could continue to go to public school for awhile, until you get this process "down pat".  I would suggest starting with a "boxed curriculum" for the 13 &12, because they are old enough to work pretty independently in books or workbooks.  All these things come with Teacher's Manuals and/or Answer Keys, so you don't have to know everything in the world to accomplish this.