Parental Conflicts over Homeschooling your children

Homeschooling your children certainly requires a lot of dedication and work. However, sometimes homeschooling children can cause parental conflict. The following topics are the most common reasons for parents to conflict over homeschooling. Realizing what the possible conflicts are and preparing for them will allow parents to handle conflicts as they arise and diffuse them, rather than letting them create ill will.

Income

These days it seems most families in America need two incomes to survive. Even if one parent has a good income and the other parent is not working, finances can become tight at times. So, families frequently bicker about money and how difficult it is to homeschool on a fixed income. One parent must stay home to teach the children when they could be working to help provide; making life a lot easier. Many homeschooling families create home businesses to help create relief.  Some alternate teaching the children to accomodate the other parent getting a job from 6pm to 10pm. 

Education

Some couples stress over the level of education their children are receiving.  Fear coupled with love tends to create a serious concern that your child is not learning quickly enough. The homeschooling parent certainly believes he/she is doing the best possible job, but a stressed out spouse could complain and criticize the spouse's job.  Understanding how your child learns may help to strengthen support between each other and bring your focus on reaching goals.

Socialization

A common critique of homeschooling is that kids are not properly socialized. In some cases this exists for some while it doesn't in others. One spouse may believe their child is too shy and blame the homeschooling for this. Conflict can then arise between the couple. The best way to deal with this is for both parents to sit down and discuss the level of socialization their child needs and then work together to help them achieve it.

Time

Time is another frequent conflict parents have. When homeschooling the children are home all the time so, finding personal time can become even more difficult. Also, teaching may take place at night sometimes when one spouse would prefer to simply relax and enjoy a television program. To avoid this conflict parents need to be understanding and work together.

If you are committed to homeschooling your children make sure that it is a commitment made by both parents and not simply by one. When both parents are committed to homeschooling, although only one parent may be doing the majority of the instruction, then fewer conflicts will arise, and your children will do better in the homeschooling environment.

Separation/Divorce

Rosewood Academy provides a church school cover for parents and understands their legal right to homeschool in the State of Alabama. As a general rule, homeschooling only becomes an issue in a divorce or a separation when the parents cannot agree with each other about the children’s education. Rather than the state challenging the parents’ rights, the parents are challenging each other’s rights. It is not for Rosewood Academy to say which parent should be able to determine how the children are educated; if the parents cannot agree, a judge can be asked to decide what is best for the children based on the evidence brought before him/her in a court of law. All marriages encounter relational difficulties over time. The stresses of life—such as unemployment, sickness, and others—make family life challenging at times. When these stresses occur and marital relations begin to strain, seek help through prayer and, if necessary, counseling from a pastor, mature mentor, or other qualified individual. This list of resources may also help you strengthen and restore your marriage.

Choosing Wisely
www.beforeyoudivorce.org

Emerson Eggerichs
www.loveandrespect.com

FamilyLife Ministries
www.familylife.com

Fireproof
www.fireproofmymarriage.com

Focus on the Family
www.focusonthefamily.com/marriage.aspx

National Institute of Marriage
www.nationalmarriage.com

Peacemaker Ministries
www.peacemaker.net

BOOKS

The Five Love Languages, Gary Chapman

Cracking the Communication Code, Emerson Eggerichs

Love and Respect, Emerson Eggerichs

His Needs, Her Needs, Willard Harley

The Complete Husband, Lou Priolo

The Heart of Anger, Lou Priolo