•  The home schooling community has been very supportive of youth group sessions for many years.

• Group sessions have had many positive impacts on the participants.

• Here are some thoughts on how we can support home schooling families.

WHAT COMMENTS DO YOU HAVE TO ADD TO THE FOLLOWING CHALLENGES OF HOME SCHOOLING FAMILIES?

Responsible for Their Children’s Education:

• • • carrying the weight of their children’s future on their shoulders;

    • finding out what to teach and how to teach it;

    • keeping children focused on their work;

    • giving children the room to fail and learn from their failures.

COMMENT: -Online sessions enable participants to learn critical communication and leadership skills.

Dealing With Doubters:

• • • going against the normal educational systems;

    • being different from most families;

    • showing results that are best for the children over the long term.

COMMENTS: -The group sessions enable them to show improved interpersonal and communication skills.

-Recordings of various sessions often show impressive progress.

Isolation From Other Students:

• • • may be few other homeschooling families in the immediate area;

    • less opportunity for regular interaction with other children;

    • smaller potential group of friends for the children.

COMMENT: -The online group sessions exposes participants to a wider and diverse community.

Organization and Record Keeping:

• • scheduling children’s days and activities can be overwhelming;

  • staying on routine, especially when not in the mood to do it;

  • balancing multitude activities like field trips, martial arts, dance, music, theatre, and sports, etc;

  • balancing the different learning levels of children;

  • maintaining attendance records, notes, grades, samples of work, etc.

COMMENT: -Recording sessions, including a variety of age groups, demonstrate the attainment of communication and leadership skills.

Maintaining Balance:

• • • balancing life, work, family and now education;

    • staying motivated and not getting overwhelmed;

    • involving children in household chores, including meal planning and preparation, etc;

    • balancing being the parent, teacher, guidance counselor, principal, taxi driver, chef, house cleaner, school psychologist, coach, and referee, etc;

    • little or no personal time available for parents.

COMMENTS: -Attending online group sessions can be done from home.

-No extra time required to transport children to sessions.

-Does not disrupt the activities of other children.

Maintaining Patience:

• • • working on the same problem for the tenth time in a row;

    • remaining calm and positive throughout the many challenges that can arise.

COMMENT: -The participants are supportive and assist each other throughout the sessions.

Sibling Conflict:

• • • younger siblings need attention during lesson time;

    • coping with the various needs of children of differing ages.

COMMENT: -Often siblings of various ages can take part in the same session. This leads to improved family member relationships.

Financial Challenges:

• • • in many cases the family lives off one parent’s income;

    • no financial assistance;

    • can be expensive to pay for all types of lessons and activities;

    • often less money available for extra curricular activities.

COMMENTS: -Joining online group sessions requires internet access and availability of a computer or tablet.

-This technology is often available and used by home schooling families.

-No transportation required.

-Online sessions are free to join.

What are your thoughts about how group sessions can assist home schooling families?

Please make your comments and suggestions in the comments section below.

HOW CAN YOU HELP?

• Comment and Request more information

• Subscribe to our newsletter.

• Join a Moderators session (Discuss how to moderate online sessions)

EVERY CHILD DESERVES A WONDERFUL FUTURE.

Fred Jones

Victoria, BC Canada

Fred Jones