Guest Writer

Quick question: Who would like to go back and relive their middle school years? No one? I think once was hard enough! We describe them with words like awkward, confusing, sometimes even painful. But you know what? Also amazing. Really. I don’t think of my own middle school years as amazing—but when I look back at my three (now grown) sons, and the hundreds of middle school students I was privileged to teach, I clearly saw God at work in these young people. In the middle of the mess, there were also victories.

So parents of middle schoolers, take hope. You and your children can survive these years of changes and growth without losing your sanity. As my church moms love to declare, God’s got this! Prayer, perspective, a support group, and maybe some deep breathing techniques will be foundational as you learn how to guide your homeschooler through middle school.

Learn about guiding your child through middle school!

The attraction of homeschooling is customization. You are free to plan your day and your year however you want it to be. But that could also be overwhelming. No one else can make this plan for you. The ideas and tips below will help you craft a custom homeschool plan for your family.

Learn how to craft a custom homeschool plan for your family

“Better to see something once than to hear about it a thousand times.” So goes an Asian proverb that highlights the benefits of traveling. I know there are wonderful virtual and online “tours” available, but there is magic in the words field trip. Visit a state capital. Explore a landmark, historical site, or national park, and windows to imagination and learning fly open. There are so many possibilities! Travel creates memorable learning experiences. So families frequently look for opportunities to take their children on trips. Other families live in another country long term or work internationally, and they want to keep the family together. For families both in the U.S. and homeschooling internationally, it’s a lifestyle that literally takes them places.

Millions of families have found that freedom and flexibility are appealing features of homeschooling. It’s an alternative to public or private school education with unique advantages. If you’re willing to take on the costs, planning, organization, and work of homeschooling, your family will also get the rewards. For one thing, your child’s extracurricular activities will have new, broadened horizons. You’ll no longer be limited by a physical school because you can take your lessons with you wherever you go. The portability of homeschooling is definitely an exciting plus for students and parents, no matter where they live. And then there are families that find the portability of homeschooling is perfect because they are taking it with them.

So if you’re considering homeschooling internationally, what do you need to know ahead of time? What will be different for military or missionary families compared to families who have moved for work or personal reasons? Can you legally homeschool in your destination country?

Learn about homeschooling internationally!

Each homeschool is different, but every homeschool requires one essential feature—organization! No matter your homeschooling style, from highly structured to relaxed, organization is a must—at least, to some degree. Without it, homeschooling can be confusing, frustrating, time-consuming, and chaotic. Just as there are many different ways to homeschool, there are also many different ways to organize. Whether you’re an organizing pro looking to find new tips or a bewildered beginner wondering where to start, you’ll find lots of helpful ideas for your homeschool room or for storage here. The beauty of organizing is that you can always rearrange, try new methods, and mix and match ones you already use.  

Learn how to organize your homeschool

If you are considering homeschooling, you are definitely not alone. Homeschooling is on the rise. In 1999, fewer than one million U.S. students were homeschooled, and in 2016 the number was still just over 1.5 million. No surprise, after 2020 and the COVID-19 pandemic, the ranks of homeschool students have swelled to over 5 million. So perhaps you wonder if homeschooling really is good for students, and if bringing your kids home to learn is a good idea for your family.

“Is homeschooling better?” is a great question, though its answers may be more complex than you first think. Better than public or private school? This decision deserves thoughtful consideration, and we can help weigh out the case for each. The crucial question is, Is homeschooling better for your family, and why? By prayerfully looking at the pros and cons of homeschooling and answering some common concerns that parents have, you can come to a confident decision regarding homeschooling.

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