Anti Homeschooling

Home education can be a challenge when one parent is anti homeschooling or convinced another form of schooling is best for the child. This article examines the negative effects of homeschooling when one's spouse is unsupportive.

A spouse who is against homeschooling may provide inadequate support, criticize the teaching parent or send mixed messages about homeschooling to the child. These actions can not only cause conflict between parents, they can create a tense, unhealthy learning environment for the child.

To learn about other negative aspects of home education, read this article about homeschooling cons.

The following are tips for working with a spouse who does not want you to homeschool.

What to Do When Your Spouse
is Anti Homeschooling

When I first approached my husband about home education, he said he would gladly pay for private school if I did not mention homeschooling again.

After speaking with a co-worker whose children were homeschooled and reluctantly attending a home school curriculum fair, he agreed to let me try teaching kindergarten. That first year was filled with uncertainty and anxiety. However, my husband is now glad we teach children at home!

If your spouse does not want you to homeschool, here are some suggestions for bringing him or her on board:

• State your reasons for homeschooling. Be sure your spouse is aware of the benefits to homeschooling. Make special note of specific issues in your family that homeschooling will address.


• Give him time. Realize your spouse loves your child as much as you do. It took time for you to decide homeschooling was best for your child, and he may need time as well.


• Address his concerns. My husband was captain of the football team, and he absolutely loved high school. He was concerned our children would miss out on fun experiences, so I found homeschooling support groups that met our family's social needs.


• Help him connect with other homeschoolers. My husband was worried that I'd want to move to the country and wear "prairie dresses." I took him to a homeschool convention where he saw families that looked like ours and learned that homeschoolers come from all walks of life.


• Give and take. You want to use unit studies. He wants you to use workbooks. You want to go on weekly field trips. He'd rather you hit the books at home. Your spouse needs to feel comfortable with your homeschool philosophy. Use teaching methods and materials that your spouse feels comfortable with, and tailor them to meet the needs of your child.


• Take it one year at a time. My husband and I agreed that I would homeschool my oldest for kindergarten, then reevaluate. Five years later, I'm now teaching a 4th grader and beginning kindergarten with my third child!

For more ideas for dealing with unsupportive friends and relatives, read this article about interacting with loved ones who are against homeschooling.