Can I Really Homeschool an Only Child?
So, you are considering homeschooling but you only have one child and you’re thinking to yourself there is no way I can homeschool only one kid! But, I am here to tell you that you can homeschool an only child!
I know when you think of homeschooling, a large family comes to mind. Homeschooling just one child seems uncommon and maybe even a bit scary. But homeschooling an only child is really much more common than you’d think.
I remember being right where you are thinking can I really homeschool her? Will it be harder than homeschooling multiples, won’t she be missing out on things, what about socialization. The list went on and on. But, I jumped in head first and trusted my gut knowing that us homeschooling was what was best for my daughter.
Advantages of Homeschooling An Only Child
Homeschooling an only child is not without it’s challenges. But, in my opinion the advantages of homeschooling an only far outweigh the disadvantages.
Homeschooling an Only Means More One on One Time
When you’re homeschooling one child you can truly teach one on one. That means you can give that child your undivided attention. You can also tailor your teaching to their specific needs and interests.
One thing I personally love about homeschooling an only child is that because it’s just the two of us instead of me teaching at her, I find I’m learning along side her.
Learning really does become a family affair. It has become our family culture and I love it. We all learn along side each other and it is just a lifestyle we live. I often find myself saying we are in this grade, or we are doing this, and that is because we really are in it together!
The Cost of Homeschooling Just One Kid
Homeschooling an only child is also less expensive. You don’t have to buy multiple curriculum or pay for multiple kids to go on a field trip.
This also means that you will have more money to either buy more things or go more places. For us it means frequent trips to Disney World.
Homeschooling An Only Child Takes Less Time
When you only have one to teach things can move a little quicker. You are not having to split your time teaching multiple children. You have less distractions from the work at hand making it go faster.
That means you can get your homeschool must-do’s done quicker. This will leave more free time in your day for things your child loves. For us that means deep diving into her interests.
Relationships Are Front And Center When You’re Homeschooling an Only Child
When homeschooling one child, it is just the two of you. Maybe the three of you if the other parent is home too. That affords you the amazing opportunity to make everything you do quality time together.
As a small homeschool family I find that we’re closer because we need all of us to participate in certain activities. Take poetry teatime for example, yes it’s fun with two people but it is more fun with three.
That means we are working on our relationship while we homeschool. And relationship is one of our main reasons for choosing to homeschooling!
What About Socialization With An Only Child?
I am not saying social interaction is not important, because it is. But there are so many ways to get it other than attending a traditional school or having siblings.
Here are a few ways you can socialize your only child:
- Co-Op’s
- Wild+Free Groups
- Library Activities
- Local Homeschool Days & Classes
- Field Trips (museums, galleries, etc.)
- Online Classes
- Play Dates with Friends
Not to mention the day to day people like the mail delivery person, store cashier, or waitstaff at the restaurant. Yes, those interactions all count as socializing too!
Socialization is probably the most common question I get asked from other people when they hear we homeschool an only child. They fear she is somehow missing out on something important like having friends.
I promise you that my home-schooled only child has zero socialization issues and plenty of friends. And if you ever met and got to know her you would no longer worry about socialization at all. In fact, I have met many homeschooled onlies and I am here to tell you they may be the most socialized kids ever!
So, can you homeschool an only child? Yes! Can you be successful homeschooling an only child? Absolutely!