My kids have been begging for a pet.  Taking all things into consideration, we agreed that they could get a hamster.  So on that happy day after school, we went to a nearby pet store.  The sales associate kindly answered our questions and showed us the several different types of hamsters we had researched online.  Then she said, “I have a couple of mice we are looking to adopt out.”

Mice?  Mice!!!  Up until the house we currently live in, we have diligently FOUGHT to keep mice OUT of our house.  And she thinks I’m going to willing bring them into my first-ever mouse-free house?!  NO WAY.  I smiled and politely declined.

Then I got to thinking – what is the difference between a mouse and a hamster?  Other than the length of the tail, nothing, really.  They are both rodents, they both require similar care. . . .  Yeah, you can guess where this is going.

We are now the proud adoptive family of two fancy mice.  They are sweet and tolerate lots of handling by my enthusiastic kids.  They are fun to watch.  Yes, they’ve won me over – I actually think their adorable.

So what happened to my NO WAY! reaction?  Well, I guess my preconceived ideas regarding pet mice changed after I thought it through.  Thinking has a way of doing that to preconceived notions.  Once you apply careful thought to an initial reaction, you might find yourself coming to a different conclusion.

Here are a few preconceived ideas you might come up against when considering homeschooling your children.

I can’t homeschool – I’m not a teacher.  Well, you may not hold a piece of paper proving that a particular state recognizes you as a teacher, but upon closer inspection you just might find that – Yes! You are a teacher!  Think about the characteristics that make a good teacher – ability to communicate, knowledge of the subject, and genuine care for students.  If you have those three, you will be an effective teacher for your children.  And when you come up against something that is beyond you (perhaps calculus), you bring in other resources such as a local community college or an online course.

I would have no idea where to begin.  If you had to start from scratch, this would be a daunting task to be sure!  Some homeschool parents are up for the challenge of reinventing the wheel, but if you’re not one of them, consider the following excellent resources –

  • A local homeschool co-op – Other parents who have “been there, done that” are invaluable!
  • Online curriculum – There is a wide array of resources available online for every grade, every learning style, every educational philosophy. It can be overwhelming!  Global Student Network is an excellent option because it offers 6 different programs.  You can compare, view demos, chat with specialists all from one location – www.globalstudentnetwork.com.
  • Your local school district – Yes, you read that correctly!  Your public school can give you a sense of what topics and objectives are covered in the grade you hope to homeschool.  In educational jargon, you are looking for the “scope and sequence.”   Even if you hope your child’s education will be the polar opposite of public school, the scope and sequence can be a helpful tool.  Your school district can also advise as to what is required for homeschooling in your district.

My kid won’t “fit in.”    Homeschool parents typically find plenty of social experiences for their children and studies show most homeschool kids are well-rounded and comfortable in all social settings.

But homeschoolers don’t get a real education.  You know who would disagree with that statement?  Top colleges and universities from all over the country!  Enrollment counselors often seek out homeschooled students because they tend to be strong students, independent thinkers, motivated learners, have a unique educational background, and often have “real-world” experience.

I can’t homeschool because I have to work.  True, homeschooling is a time commitment but one that does not exclude having a job.  Some homeschool parents work from home.  Others use creative scheduling to cover all the bases.  For example, one parent might cover school while the other works some days and vice versa.  It does require balance and resourcefulness, but it can be done.

I don’t know how many times I’ve heard happily homeschooling parents say, “I never dreamed we would be doing this!”  Some even grappled with the preconceived ideas listed here.  But after they thought through their options and the various benefits to their children, homeschooling was the conclusion.

How about you?