5 Ways to Help Someone Else Homeschool
Do you ever just wish you could help more people homeschool? Maybe a single parent friend, or a family who is struggling financially, or even a mom with a special-needs child? These needs are all around us. And for those of us who know that public school is no place for the children of Christians, we recognize that it’s simply not that easy for some families.
As a homeschool blogger and advocate, I cannot tell you how many times I’ve been contacted by moms who are so desperate to take their children out of public school. They might be single, or working, and most often, both. Moms with young children who cannot be left home to do online lessons, parents who both work full time out of dire necessity, and single parents—these are just a few of the many families who have the desire to homeschool but don’t have a way to begin.
Before I go into all the ways there are to help, let me first implore you to see this kind of help as a ministry, and not necessarily as “charity.” Believe it or not, there is a difference! When we truly serve in ministry, we are serving God by helping others. Our expectations from humans are non-existent, while our desire to honor God is top priority. But when we act in “charity,” there is a tendency to expect thanks, honor, and even a tax write-off.
When it comes to home education, we are talking about children’s hearts and minds. Those who want to help should see the ministry as possibly long-term. Think in terms of “adopting a family” or adding financial help to your permanent budget.
If you see the need, and want to help, I have some suggestions! As a former single-working-homeschooling mom, I can tell you what a blessing it is to know that someone cares! These suggestions are so varied that there is something here for everyone to do. Whether it’s your family that wants to help, or your church, or a business owner, (or maybe a combination!), start where you are and offer what you can.
Who Can Help a Family Homeschool?
It doesn’t matter who you are, what you know, how much time or money you have, or whether you’ve ever taught a child. Everyone can help.
Grandparents: I know so many grandparents who have committed to homeschooling their grandchildren. Whether they teach the children full time, help out occasionally, babysit, or carpool, grandparents are the absolute next best thing to parents!
Pastors and church elders: church leaders are in a unique position because of their role as shepherds. They have the ability to encourage and facilitate Christian education. The responsibility is huge, but so are the possibilities!
Friends: it is often a friend who notices the need and is in the best position to help. If you know a mom or children personally, you know the specific needs they have, whether it’s finances, volunteer time, academic help, or child care.
Bosses: your employees might include a parent who desperately needs income and also wants to pull their child out of public school. Consider your company and the positions within. Could your employee work from home, or bring their child to work, or a combination of the two? I have personally utilized these types of work, and I know so many other moms who do, too.
Retired teachers: There are small groups of kids everywhere who still need an education outside of the public school system. Consider the possibilities!
Homeschool families: You already have experience with home education. Consider the ways you can pitch in to help one more family begin their journey!
5 Ways to Help Someone Else Homeschool
Be a present helper. Often, someone just showing up and asking, “How can I help?” is what works for you. Guess what? It works for families in need, too. If you have some time to carve out of your day, play with a toddler, fold some laundry, take kids to the park, wash dishes, or help with spelling assignments. It doesn't cost anything to give of your time, but an hour or two, here and there, is golden to a single mom.
If you’re willing to commit to more, offer free child care once a week, give the children rides to co-op, be the surrogate parent at co-op or field trips, or feed the family every Tuesday evening. Sometimes you want to help but you can’t do it all; consider teaming up with another family or two to meet these needs and spread the responsibility around
Contribute financially. If you have the funds to bless another family, consider these options: purchasing curriculum, buying or delivering groceries, giving a gift of a monthly sum, paying for tutors or co-op fees, or even hiring a parent to work remotely for your business. One-time cash gifts, gift cards, or “scholarships” are flexible and tremendously helpful to parents on a low income, or single parents. You might also be willing to fund an entire cooperative, or arrange fundraising for something similar.
Tutor in your own home. Do you have a desire to teach or help? Offer free tutoring! This might involve helping with math lessons once a week or overseeing an entire curriculum for a parent who desperately needs assistance. I have done this over the past several years for the children of single working moms. For us, it is two days a week for about 4 hours at a time, in my home. I know another mom who does something similar in my area. I know of two different area pastors who tutored a group of high school kids in algebra every week. The situations vary as much as the town and the families involved!
Start a cooperative. Outside help is usually a tremendous blessing for parents who must work or who might have other special circumstances. While there are some homeschool cooperatives who have lenient expectations for single parents, others are more strict about having parent involvement on the premises. Drop-off programs usually hire paid instructors, so it’s more expensive to join. If you like the idea of starting a cooperative, consider the needs of parents in special situations and assemble a leadership team who will keep this in mind. Look for ways to make it work for as many families as possible.
Offer a facility. Pastors, business owners, and others who have a meeting facility are a treasure! If you are in one of these positions, and are looking for ways to support the homeschool community, consider the ministry that your building will be in this way. In my experience of 22 years, finding a place to meet can be difficult. I’ve been a part of co-ops in multiple churches with multiple experiences. Whether it’s for structured classes, tutoring, or a cooperative, this is a ministry need that continues to grow.
Don’t Leave It to the State
I have to put in a warning about school vouchers and the popularity of “money follows the child.” While it sounds like a helpful solution to take your taxes back in the form of a voucher for private education, there are dangerous strings attached. When it comes to Christian education, the government is not your ally. The government was not what Jesus intended when He admonished us to care for others.
We know that government education has tremendous problems. Private funding is what separates private education from public.
This is where ministry is different. Ministry serves God by serving others. Vouchers just put a student in a different location while subjecting them to the same form of godless education. That’s not the help families need.
Let’s Walk the Walk
Christians, if we truly believe that our children do not belong in secular education, let’s do more than say it. Let’s live it. Let’s be the hands and feet of Jesus. Let’s reach out to the families around us who need a hand up. If everyone reading this article committed to helping just one family to homeschool, imagine the difference!
Imagine the children rescued from bullying. Imagine the children not subjected to sexualization in kindergarten. Imagine the children who will learn about the world from a biblical worldview. Imagine the increasing number of families who will have the opportunity to raise their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
You can do that.
Open your heart, your home, and your wallet, and be a world-changer.