How do you compromise on homeschooling when one parent wants to & the other doesn't?

Question

How do you compromise on homeschooling when one parent wants to & the other doesn't?

Answer 1

You agree to homeschool until it becomes difficult for you to teach anymore. Maybe agree to homeschool until he/she is at the eighth grade level. In know the reason alot of people are against it is because they say it takes away from the child developing good social skills. And I agree with that to a point. I see my nephew, who is homeschooled, and I don't care a whole lot for it. I feel it isolates the kid too much. But on the other hand, there are many ways to involve him with other kids, like Little League and other sports. Now his mother is afraid he'll get picked on too much if he goes to school. Go figure. But I think homeschooled kids tend to be smarter. But there is no replacing classroom interaction between himself, teachers, and other students. Just a few points to ponder.

Answer 2

I never had the problem of worrying what the other parent thought. I suppose you could do your homework and show the benefits of homeschooling.

Your child does not have to be isolated. If you check into it, there are other parents that are homeschooling and they plan field trips, just like public school. Home schooled kids and their parents can sign up for field trips. Your public library might have information on homeschooling and all that goes with it... ours does.

Answer 3

The only compromise I've heard of is to agree on a trial period--a year, for example.

I've known parents to get the opposing parent to attend homeschooling events/activities with them. It's usually enough to convince the opposing parent that homeschooling is at least worth trying. :)

Answer 4

Only commit to one year of HS'ing - or even one semester.  Then if the opposing parent doesn't think it's working, you can enroll the child back in public/private school.

There is a "middle ground" available in some states - virtual charter schooling.  This is pretty much the same as HS'ing independently (using a curriculum), but with certififed teacher oversight, school activities, and the curriculum paid for by the district.  It can be a good jumping off place into independent HS'ing when one parent isn't so sure about HS'ing.  See if your state has them available.

Answer 5

A man should be of tremendous character and be the leader in the home. A woman must object, however, if the man is wrong. This will help in making all decisions.

Now, I know that people don't like hearing this, but I say it according to my first amendment right of Freedom of Speech.

Answer 6

My husband wasn't on board with homeschooling at first.  He didn't even want to hear about it.  It was a long process, but he was able to talk to a friend at work who homeschooled his children.  We went to a few curriculum fairs together and looked over materials.  He was able to see that homeschoolers are "normal" and he was able to see some other dads.  He agreed to try it for a year and it has worked out so well that we are going to continue.  He's not on board with going all the way through high school yet, but I'm still hopeful!

I think men sometimes have a huge issue with their children being different.  They want their kids to be "normal" and do all the normal kid stuff and homeschooling is just...  well... different.  It also makes the dad stick out to his friends because his kid isn't doing what their's are doing.

My advice is to be patient, remain level headed, provide him with factual information, realize your husband loves your kids as much as you do, and see if he will agree to a trial period.

Here are some other tips that helped me:

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

Good luck!  I know it isn't easy when your heart is pulling you in one direction and your husband wants to go another.

Answer 7

just see how your kids are doing with it ask them

Answer 8

As a first step, each person should list their pros and cons, then exchange lists. If you can mitigate a con or feel that a positive isn't actually a positive, put it on a separate piece of paper, then go over the list item by item. But your goal isn't to 'win' the pro and con phase; instead you are trying to understand what their concerns are, and try to explain why you disagree (and listen to their responses towards your concerns).

Answer 9

- Join a co-op so your kids will experience "classroom" or "group" learning time.

- See if you can both agree on a charter school.

- See if there are private schools that offer homeschool programs or independent study in your area.

- Try online school.

- Try public school for a year or so, then if it's still the best choice, switch to homeschooling

- Try the above suggestion in reverse order.

- See if the public school will allow your children to take one or two classes at the school and homeschool the rest of the time.

- Agree to attend a public school open house with an open mind if the other parent will attend a homeschool group meeting/curriculum fair/orientation/feild day/etc with an open mind. Examine both sides of the coin.

Answer 10

My daughter has been homeschooled for a year now and her dad didnt approve at first but when he saw how i was coping and the work we were doing he has changed his mind since then. Now my son who is 13 wants to be homeschooled as well. He was bullied by teachers and i dont like how the school is managed. Anyway, his dad still doesnt know he is going to be home school from next week, mainly because he is always away on business trips. I know he wont approve but i also know that he will change his mind with time.

He knows i can manage specially after receiving the report from the education department for my daughter.

Answer 11

U put the child first......

NOT THE PARENTS.... what ever is in THE BEST INTEREST OF THE CHILD..

we all have to make sacrifices..

IT IS ABOUT THE CHILD.. NOT THE PARENT.......

GOOD LUCK

Answer 12

Well, you can't really. It takes 100% moral support from both parents. Otherwise, when things get hairy (and occasionally they do) the resistant parent will be ready to jump ship. You can agree to use a boxed curriculum and join a support group. One can also ask, "How can you compromise on public schooling when one parent wants to and the other doesn't?" You are in a tough spot. I hope you come to agree on a solution soon and everything works out. Good luck!