This list is dedicated to families homeschooling only-children. These families have unique socialization issues and must often be super-creative in their solutions. Join this list if you are homeschooling a wonderful Only.
Families with only one child have almost the exact same concerns regarding their child’s “only child status”: Are they getting enough time with other children their own age? Are we doing enough to prepare this child to interact with their peers? Are we “spoiling” this child? Will this child be prepared for life on their own or will they expect everything to go their own way?
Whether by God's design, or by the fact that your older children are grown and gone or for other reasons, most of us will all be homeschooling only one at some time or another. However, just as homeschooling many children has its own challenges, so does homeschooling one child. The author shares some of the different issues, both 'pros and cons' regarding homeschooling one child.
This lovely blog chronicles the journey of a grandmother homeschooling a single granddaughter.
A homeschool mom and her only son share their homeschooling adventure.
The Parents Review was a magazine that was sent to parents and teachers of Charlotte Mason's schools and correspondence-type homeschools between about 1890 and 1920. This article, by Clement Parsons, was written in 1901. It does contain some interesting ideas about raising an only child, although many concepts will be dismissed as out-of-touch with contemporary thought on the issue. Thus, it should be read in the context of its time.
"Only" children lack even the fellowship of siblings; therefore, especially if they have a very social personality, friendships must be found outside the home. For better or worse, traditional school is where many children make their friends, an option obviously closed to homeschoolers.
Jenni Ryan shares resources and life experiences about raising a single child and homeschooling.
While the social needs of the "only" are important, there is more to homeschooling an "only" child than connecting with friends.
Homeschooling an only child can be quite challenging at times. This group is open to anyone for support, enrouragement and ideas for those who choose the home-schooling road for you and your child. Although they are based in NC, anyone can join for support. They have a database that you can access to see who is in your state to get together with.
This blog shares the experience of homeschooling an only child.
This is a secular group for parents homeschooling only children or homeschooling only one of their children. This is a safe space to share the joys and wonders and trials and tribulations of homeschooling only one child. This group welcomes all homeschoolers of single children regardless of method of schooling used, race, religion or lifestyle.
The Homeschool Only One (HOO) message board is a place where those on this journey with one student could network with others.
When you embark on a new adventure, it’s important to know what’s ahead. If you’re thinking about homeschooling an only child, listen to this podcast. In it, a mother and daughter join host Mike Smith to share their experience with home education for one.
Homeschoolers report that it is sometimes more difficult to homeschool one child versus two or more children. Many parents report that it is easy to place too much pressure on a single child, as the child is the sole focus of the parent’s day. Clashes may also arise between a parent and a single homeschooler as they are together for a large part of the day. Both parents and single homeschooled children report that they sometimes feel smothered by each other. Some children also feel lonely.
There’s nothing to lift the spirits like having someone come alongside to say, “Keep it up! You can do this!” If homeschooling seems a little daunting today, listen in as Mary Healy and Shannon Healy, a mother and daughter that have completed the home education journey, join host Mike Smith, on Home School Heartbeat.
This article is meant to encourage those who are homeschooling an only child as they go forward in their homeschool journey.
Rhonda Clark blogs about life homeschooling an only child.