Homeschooling Moms Answer Common Questions

Since the pandemic began, veteran homeschooling families have gotten many requests to tell others how they manage. We recruited seven local homeschooling moms to help answer some of the common questions prospective homeschoolers ask. Through homeschooling and with plenty of patience, so many parents in our communities have accomplished things they could never have imagined possible.

Our Homeschooling Moms

       Talia Cioban, Chico, CA, is mom to Livia and Adina and is starting her sixth year of homeschooling.

Charlotte Scot, Mt. Shasta, CA, is a second-generation homeschooler with a 12-year-old and a 14-year-old. She homeschools using the Charlotte Mason Method.

Kalan Redwood, Manton, CA, has homeschooled Thor and Maisie for the past three years with Chrysalis Charter School.

Amanda Woelfel, Dairyville, CA, is mom to an ninth grader, sixth grader, and toddler. She has been homeschooling for 10 years.

Debbie Deem, Red Bluff, CA, has been homeschooling her four children for 19 years.

Jessica Severne, Shasta County, CA, has five children, ages 2-17 and one on the way, and is a veteran homeschooler, using Charlotte Mason’s philosophy of education.

Rosalyn Duran, Redding, CA, has homeschooled her two sons, 10 and 12, for nearly six years. The former owner of YourArt, an art studio offering after school art enrichment classes to children ages 5-12 in Redding, she hopes to return to teaching art lessons in 2022.

Homeschooling allows kids to dig into their passions, choosing their own science experiments or research projects.

I’m stressed about adjusting. What works best?

Talia – Give you, your kids and your family time to adjust. Discover what works best for your family as far as when, how and what you study. Then be flexible. Life influences our schedule all the time, and our stress levels as parents right now are higher than usual.

Rosalyn — I try to follow a “breathe in” time period of six weeks of learning followed by a “breathe out” time period of up to two weeks of a break from schoolwork. My advice for adjusting into a homeschool lifestyle: go slowly.

Are my kids still going to be learning – what about reading, math and science?

Talia – Yes, because you get to follow their interests and individualize their unique strengths and challenges. Find ways to learn outside of workbooks. Tie the math, the reading, the science to their interests. Learning happens all the time!

Rosalyn —! I have found one of the best features of homeschooling to be the ability to pick and choose what main lessons we will learn about. The next best thing is being able to shorten a main lesson if they lose interest then move on to a new main lesson.

What about opportunities to socialize? 

Charlotte – The wonderful thing with homeschooling is we can be flexible with our schedule. From homeschool groups, serving in the community, or participating at a community college, I love all the opportunities we have to socialize and experience diversity.

Rosalyn —  I use every opportunity of conversing with a community member possible so that my children can practice their socializing skills. And they take art classes and go to a book club that I offer to other children who they now consider friends. There are truly many other ways for socialization in our community.

Can I share resources with other families? 

Charlotte – Many homeschooling families work together sharing resources, so please ask. There are also charter schools, umbrella schools and private tutors. For children with special needs, most therapy programs are still available. It might take some extra research and phone calls, but I’m sure you’re already an amazing advocate for your child. You got this!

Kalan – Plans, curriculums and routines all have their place, but ultimately, I follow the lead of my children and cultivate their interests. In addition to academics, our kids are engaged in their community with other children through Club Mustang, a free enrichment program provided locally in Manton by the Manton Education Council.

What about quiet time, playdates and time outside?

Amanda – We typically start school around 9 a.m. For the most part, both of my kids work independently and, if they work diligently without too many distractions, book work is over before lunch. In the afternoon, we usually get quiet time to ourselves, which is always necessary because we are together all the time! Our schedule leaves plenty of time for extracurricular activities and playdates. We also require our kids to spend time outside every day. Bike riding, playing with animals, working on projects or just reading in the hammock.

How can I legally homeschool?

Debbie – In California there are three ways to legally homeschool. You can hire a credentialed teacher as a tutor, you can enroll your students in a public or private school that offers a homeschool program, or you can establish your own private school. More details on these options can be found at Homeschool Legal 101.

Does homeschooling have affordable options?

Debbie –  It does not have to be. There are many affordable curriculum options, and used curriculum is readily available. There are many free resources on the internet and at your local library.

Can older siblilngs help?

Jessica –  With a little bit of help to establish good habits and daily rhythm, children easily learn to be self-motivated and work independently, with you serving as their philosopher, friend and guide. Older students help younger siblings with read-alouds, playing math games together, helping with morning routines, tending a garden. Siblings often form deep friendships as they do life and learning.

Do I have to provide conventional school at home?

Jessica – You don’t have to provide conventional school at home; in fact, you probably don’t want to. Schools often assign busywork that doesn’t encourage actual learning. Focus on making your child’s education come alive in every realm of education, literature, history, science, nature and art. Take advantage of your child’s innate curiosity, spread a great feast of knowledge, and you will end up with a lifelong learner.