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People of any ethnic group can homeschool. We happen to be Caucasian, but one of the best advocates for the modern homeschooling movement is Voddie Baucham, a Black father of nine. A person’s nationality or skin color makes no difference in how successful they can be at educating their children at home.
People without teaching degrees can homeschool. Former public school teacher, Andrew Pudewa, says a teaching degree was his biggest handicap as a homeschooling father because he had difficulty breaking away from the idea he had learned so well in university: that every child should be learning the same thing, in the same way, at the same age, at the same time.
Statistics tell us that on average, a child homeschooled by parents without a teaching degree score higher (by 1%) on standardized tests than both public school students and other homeschoolers taught by certified teachers. In other words, a teacher certification makes no difference in how well your children fare academically.
There are more resources available to help you homeschool than you will ever need. HSLDA has plenty of practical advice for teaching preschool through highschool; Home School Enrichment is a favorite magazine among homeschoolers and flooded with helpful information to bring joy and inspiration to your journey; conventions and curriculum halls such as Teach Them Diligently and our own, OCHEC, are packed with speakers, books, and seasoned homeschoolers, and they happen multiple times a year, all over North America.
People who are unorganized can homeschool. If you are not a naturally organized person like I am, you can learn to become one. It requires self-discipline and determination, a lot of grace, and taking advantage of the surplus of organizational tools available to homeschoolers such as The Well-Planned Day, Large Family Logistics, Homeschooling At The Speed of Life, and The Ultimate Homeschool Planner.
People who are impatient can homeschool. “Oh, I could never homeschool my kids! I just don’t have the patience for it!” I cannot tell you how often I have heard this response from well-meaning folks when they find out the reason I have all of our kids at the grocery store with me is because we homeschool them. I never know what to say because I am not a typically patient person by any stretch of the imagination (just ask our kids).
Having everyone need my attention at the same time can make me feel like jelly spread too thin. I’ve lost my temper, clenched my teeth while closing my eyes and counting to ten, and escaped to our bedroom so I could compose myself before attempting to restore order to the chaos.
Yet God continues to use our own precious children to help cultivate a more patient spirit and develop a heart of love towards them that will hopefully become more and more reflective of His love for me. Sometimes I think it would be easier if the kids weren’t around to get in my hair and all I had to do was deal with them for three hours every day before bedtime, but then we would both miss out on learning how to crucify our old natures together.
People who are poor can homeschool. While it’s true that homeschooling is the preferred method of education among high-income earners such as doctors and lawyers, you don’t have to spend a dime to provide your children with an extraordinary education at home. Everything your child needs to learn can be found in the Bible, online, and through your local library. It takes extra thought and planning of course, but it can be done and there are many resources such as freehomeschooldeals.com to aid you.
Old people, young people, and middle-aged people can homeschool. People with large families, small families, and middle-sized families can homeschool. People with brilliant children, average children, special needs children, dyslexic children, quiet children, and hyper children can homeschool. People with children who learn visually, logically, aurally, and physically can homeschool. People who live in the city, the suburbs, or the boonies can homeschool. Single moms, working moms, and married moms can homeschool. Dads can homeschool. Grandparents can homeschool.
You can homeschool.
But you have to want to.

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Disclaimer: Please understand that I am not suggesting everyone homeschool. Some people cannot homeschool and others choose not to based on their own life situation and personal conviction. There are certain instances where I would not recommend homeschooling, such as the lack of a husband’s support and extenuating mental/physical health concerns. This post is meant to encourage those who are considering homeschooling, but are struggling with certain reservations.
Jacinda Vandenberg is a wife, mother to 3, homemaker, and second-generation homeschooler. She blogs at Growing Home, a site dedicated to holistic homemaking. When she’s not gardening, cooking, or crafting with her sweet babes, you’ll probably find her writing about her passions with one hand and holding a large mug of coffee in the other.
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