How can I homeschool as a single parent?
Have you found yourself contemplating that same question?
We recently posted on our facebook page, requesting advice from single homeschool moms—and our sweet community answered the call.
We were blown away with how many of you graciously shared your tips, experiences, and overall advice.
I couldn’t help but notice a few trends among the comments. I’ve gathered the great advice that surfaced again and again and organized them here in the form of 14 tips for success.
But first things first …
Yes, You Absolutely Can Homeschool as a Single Parent (and Don’t Let Anyone Tell You Otherwise)
As a single parent who homeschools (or wants to), you’ve undoubtedly encountered naysayers.
Even well-meaning friends and family often imply that homeschooling is too much for you.
“You should just send your kids to traditional school instead. There’s no shame in that.”
Well, they’re right—there is no shame in that decision.
But there could be devastating consequences.
If you want to homeschool your kids, don’t surrender your God-given privilege to do so based solely on your circumstances.
You can homeschool successfully as a single parent.
Here are some tips to help you along the way.
Free “Getting Started” Homeschool Checklist!
Make it easy to go through the steps with a printable list.
1. Give Yourself (& Your Students) Grace
First, understand that no homeschool mom (or dad) is without fault.
Even the parent who is “perfectly” positioned to homeschool is not infallible. It’s important to give yourself grace as you navigate the world of homeschooling.
- You messed up? God’s grace is sufficient.
- Feel like a failure? Tomorrow is a new day with renewed mercies (Lamentations 3:23).
- Not sure what step to take next? Submit your steps to the One who holds the future.
And remember, your children need grace, too.
2. Remember: You Are Equipped
No one knows your children like you do. You have their best interests at heart and are uniquely aware of their strengths and weaknesses.
Therefore, no one is better suited to teach them than you.
As one mom in our homeschool community declared:
“Even as imperfect as we are, ‘you’ are still the best thing for your kids.”
The key is to view your inadequacies in light of God’s grace. His strength is perfected in your weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9).
We are not “enough” in and of ourselves, but He is all-sufficient and equips us to educate our children—no degree required.
3. Don’t Compare Yourself to Others
Theodore Roosevelt once said, “Comparison is the thief of joy.”
When it comes to single mom homeschooling, comparison is particularly dangerous.
There are simply too many negative opportunities to measure yourself against others with a different family dynamic.
Imagine lamenting over your own “blooper” reel while comparing it to someone else’s “highlight” reel.
To do so is to compare apples to oranges.
Keep your eyes on your own fruit bowl—and rejoice in the good fruit that’s produced!
4. Brainstorm with Other Single Moms
Talking to someone who’s been down the road you’re traveling is priceless.
Reach out within your community of friends and family, and see if you can find a fellow single parent who homeschools.
If you don’t know anyone in “real life,” try a trusted homeschool forum or Facebook group.
5. Build a Support System
Speaking of reaching out—you don’t have to do this alone.
As one parent in our Facebook group noted, “God did not design child-rearing to be a solo task.”
If you find yourself in that boat, I encourage you to build a strong support system, especially if you’re also working full-time.
Homeschooling for single working parents is much more manageable when you can rely on trusted family and friends to help lighten your load.
6. Don’t Be Ashamed to Ask for Help
As a single homeschool parent, you simply can’t do “all the things” all the time. No one can, regardless of his or her circumstances.
Some would say that refusing to ask for help is a matter of “having too much pride.” That’s true in some cases.
In others instances, it’s the hesitation to burden someone else with our problems that keeps us from reaching out.
Is that feeling familiar?
The truth of the matter is that we are called to bear one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2).
To reject that provision is to forfeit a potential blessing.
It’s okay to graciously accept the help that’s offered from time to time.
I know some families who recruit grandparents for help with homeschooling lessons. If your parents are retired (and like-minded), they can be a huge help.
7. Consider Joining a Co-Op
Another means of building a support system is by joining a homeschool co-op.
Co-ops can be especially helpful if a certain subject feels too intimidating to teach by yourself.
Though there are an endless amount of resources to help you teach any subject, homeschool co-ops can help lighten your load.
8. Take Advantage of Library Resources
Your local library can also offer supplemental support outside of your social circle. Within minutes, you can access:
- Free online and group activities
- Endless independent reading options
- Helpful digital and material resources
Libraries truly contain a treasure trove of resources for homeschool parents.
9. You Don’t Have to Replicate the Public School Classroom
New homeschool parents sometimes feel pressure to replicate the classroom they experienced as children.
This is difficult for any homeschool family, but it’s even harder for a single parent with more demands on his or her time.
Not only is it unnecessary to replicate “public school” at home, it’s not even ideal.
By educating your children at home, you provide perks that typical schools can’t offer. One of the greatest benefits of homeschooling is the freedom and flexibility it offers.
You are free to cater the environment to your child’s particular learning style.
As a single homeschool parent, embrace these advantages, and release the guilt of not “measuring up” to a “real” classroom.
10. Take Some Time to “Unschool”
Even if you’ve chosen a homeschool method that leans toward classroom-style learning, you may still benefit from a period of “unschooling.”
A laid-back approach to school can alleviate some pressure as you transition to a single-parent household.
It doesn’t mean your children aren’t learning. To unschool is to simply continue their education in a different way, usually driven by their interests.
11. Don’t Underestimate Life Lessons Beyond the Textbooks
Life is a phenomenal teacher. Don’t overlook it’s value in your children’s education.
- Need to go grocery shopping? Have your students compare prices and calculate savings.
- Baking cookies? Discuss fractions and measurements.
- Playing a card game? Discuss critical thinking and strategizing.
You can combine life with learning in all sorts of daily activities, such as sewing, car maintenance, and home repairs.
Math, science, reading, and valuable life lessons are everywhere if you look for them.
12. Take a Break When You Need It
If you’re doing it all with no help:
- putting food on the table
- teaching your older kids
- caring for babies or toddlers
- running your household
… you’re probably last on your own list.
That’s understandable, but it won’t do your children any favors if you burn yourself out.
Find time to recharge.
Even something as simple as a day of rest—when you can take a nap or a luxuriously long bath—can provide the rejuvenation you need.
13. Pray Without Ceasing
Even if you are the only one teaching your children, you are never truly alone.
Don’t listen to the enemy’s lies that you’ve been forsaken.
You have a “very present help in trouble” in God the Father (Psalm 46:1).
Fellowship with Him in prayer, and watch your strength grow ever stronger!
14. Don’t Give Up
There’s a reason you’ve decided to homeschool.
Write that reason down, and keep it handy to review when you’re tired, stressed, or feel like a failure.
This is your “why.” Along with prayer, your “why” will help you keep your eyes on the prize when you feel like giving up.
You will never regret the decision to homeschool your children.
Affording the Ability to Homeschool as a Single Parent
Once you’ve decided that homeschooling as a single parent is right for you and your kids, the next step is making it work for your family financially.
This section isn’t a deep dive into homeschool family finance. I will not pry nor pretend to know your unique circumstance.
However, I noticed a common theme among the comments in our Facebook group:
“How can I afford to homeschool as a single mom?”
Many precious moms were asking others, “how do you do it?”
I could almost hear the desperation in their voices as I read through the comments.
So I want to offer a few suggestions for earning money while homeschooling—or making homeschooling itself less costly.
Homeschooling comes in many forms.
If you embark on the adventure knowing that you don’t have to fit into someone else’s mold, you can make it work for you—no matter your budget.
If you need to work full-time, consider homeschooling in the evenings after work. Weekends are fair game, too.
Also, realize that homeschool lessons can be achieved in 15 to 30-minute increments here and there.
If you need help with daily routine ideas, check out this post on homeschooling for beginners.
Homeschooling itself doesn’t need to be expensive.
Take advantage of your local library, shop sales, buy used, share workbooks, the list goes on.
We actually have a list of free homeschool resources you can get here.
Another great suggestion by someone in our Facebook group was to reach out to senior centers for help. There are plenty of talented seniors who’d love to share their knowledge and skills with your student.
Many valuable lessons are learned at the side of an elder.
Furthermore, bear in mind that homeschooling doesn’t have to happen at “home.” Do it whenever and wherever works for you and your family.
As I mentioned earlier, this is not a financial deep-dive.
It’s just a friendly reminder that there are methods to homeschool inexpensively and ways to earn income that will allow you to keep your kids home.
There is no “one perfect road” to homeschooling.
Release the notion that the only “correct” way to homeschool is when Mom is home with everyone’s nose in a textbook from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Ignore the naysayers and silence the negative voices in your own mind.
You can homeschool as a single parent—and your children will be better for it.
