Lessons Learned On the Farm

• Jun. 14, 2006 - Paying someone to homeschool your kids...

What do you all think? If a parent isn't able/willing to stay at home and homeschool their own children, but they really desire for them to get a personalized education at home, can they hire a tutor to do the actual bookwork with their child and still call that homeschooling?

I know that I've been asked in the past to *homeschool* someone else's child. While earning a little extra money and the thought of being able to offer a better alternative to someone else's child sounded great, I never wanted to do it. Since I'm a relaxed homeschooler, I knew that I might not be able or want to keep up with other's expectations of doing school at home. And I just didn't really want to have to sacrifice my family's schedule/freedom. All that said though, I wonder if that could be viable option for some.

I know that state homeschool laws are ultimately what would determine if this was a legal option for parents, but I just wondered if any of you all had experience with it. Do you all know anyone who is paying someone else to *homeschool* their child? Do you know anyone who is *homeschooling* someone else's child? And what about grandparents, I know some of them are homeschooling their grandchildren. Is that just being done unofficially or are there provisions for that? And what is HSLDA's take on all of it?

These are just a few questions that I have....

Comments

• Jun. 14, 2006 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Titus2woman

While it's not MY heart's desire, I don't see anything wrong with hiring a tutor (or set of tutors for different subjects) to homeschool your child. Everyone's situations are unique~so I would try not to judge! HOWEVER, I do get frustrated with the requests and even the few expectations that have come along of someone wanting ME to homeschool their children. For one, it's illegal in our state~not to mention it's a lot of pressure to be hit with! (((((HUGS))))) sandi

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• Jun. 14, 2006 - Untitled Comment

Posted by FarmGirlShelley

Hmmm. This is a tough one. Just babysitting another persons child while you homeschool is hard, I KNOW I have done it. That would be a tough one. I am a relaxed homeschooler too, so that would make it impossible unless the parents were relaxed too. I think something like that requires lots of prayer, but if I became a widow and were forced to work I would DEFINATELY try to find someone to homeschool my kids.

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• Jun. 15, 2006 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Amberleoda

Several years ago, my sister-in-laws both had their children (several ages and grades) go to a "homeschool school". Several families got together and decided to pay a few ladies to teach their children. They met at a chrurch M-F from 9:00 till 12:00. The group has since dissolved and my sils are now homeschooling at home. The laws here in MS are VERY laid back. All I have to do every year is send in a 3x5 index card with my kids names, ages, and what sort of curriculum we are using written on them. That's it! Anyway, I hope that answered some of your questions.

~Amber

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• Jun. 15, 2006 - Untitled Comment

Posted by spunkyhomeschool

To me this is just the same as hiring a turor, the only difference is that you are doing it for all subjects. I honestly find no reason to be against such an arrangement. While I'm not sure it is "homeschooling" as you or I might define it, if we truly believe in the parents right to direct the affairs of their children, then paying someone to educate them is within those parameters.

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• Jun. 16, 2006 - uuhhh...

Posted by Juliestew

i really like HER (above) comment! i think spunkyhomeschool's comment embraces all that "homeschooling" stands for. the right to make decisions for our own children. good one!!! i always knew she was bright but i just loved hearing it put into words.
julie

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• Jun. 19, 2006 - Untitled Comment

Posted by jacobsacademy

....I've been waiting for someone to bring this topic up - celebrities and high profile elected officials and diplomats (especially those who travel worldwide with their families), figure heads of other countries even - have been for years (could it be decades?) hiring private tutors (outside the Nanny) to educate their children at home. While the parents themselves are not doing the actual teaching - they have made decisions on behalf of what they deem the best interests of their children by providing them with an education that they have agreed upon and have brought the instruction *home*.

Why is it, then, that when celebrities, government figures and the like have made these decisions and arrangements it is widely accepted and nearly "vogue" - but when the general public rejects the status quo and the hidden agendas of compulsory schooling - we are viewed as religious fanatics and wierd and.....the list goes on.

....and let's leave the whole "Nanny thing" for another day.......(hee hee)

but to answer your question - it's the parents' right to determine what they deem best for their individual children and family. If I could find a private math instructor that could actually follow directions to and find our house on the dirt road and still give me the "homeschool rate" for high school math instruction in our home - Honey, we are THERE!

Great post!
Harriette

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