Homeschooling Questions and Answers: Enrolling Them in School

Not all homeschoolers do so for the entire k-12 process. This means that at one point or another, they will come to the decision to put their child back in school. This can be a difficult and heart-wrenching decision. This question addresses this dilemma.

Question: I have been homeschooling for 3 years and want to put the kids back in school. I am feeling guilty about it though. How do I reconcile these feelings?

Answer: Making the decision to stop homeschooling can be difficult and heart wrenching. To make matters worse, the parent who has decided to enroll the children in school may face judgment from homeschoolers who disagree with their decision. However, the beauty of homeschooling is that it allows the parents to do what is best for the individual child. If traditional school is what the child needs, then how can any homeschooler (or anyone else for that matter) question it?

I am glad the question asked about reconciling your own feelings about putting the child back in school. We can be our toughest critics at times. To settle the fact that you are putting the kids in school within yourself, you should perhaps get a some paper and a pen and put your feelings in writing. You may even want to make a pros and cons list.

List those reasons you need to put your child back in school which can include the need to take a job, the need to take care of elderly parents, the child's special needs, or the child's or other parent's insistence. List how going to a regular school may be good or bad for the child. Also list how the child returning to school may be good or bad for you. Weigh this decision carefully, making sure you are comfortable with it. If you are not comfortable with it, but have no other options at this point and time, you can make the decision to revisit homeschooling again in the future. (Or you may find a way to keep homeschooling.)

In the end, homeschooling has to be a personal decision, as does the reason to quit. However, just as some people end up homeschooling against their own will, others end up putting the kids in school against their on will. If you fall into this situation, all you can do is to tell yourself that will do the best that you can do in your current situation, and when you are able to homeschool again, should that time come, then you will.

In the meantime, take care of yourself and of your children and take advantage of after school hours to shower them with attention and to engage them on an intellectual level. Nothing is stopping you from remaining engaged in their education by overseeing homework and helping with projects.