Homeschooling Older Kids

by Andrea Hermitt | More from this Blogger

15 Aug 2008 10:35 AM

I am becoming acutely aware that homeschooling older kids are a much different animal than homeschooling small kids. Now that my kids are 12 and 14 and with the older being in high school, I am finding that I need to drastically alter my approach to how I interact with them in regards to my lessons.

My son has announced his aversion to being taught. He would much rather prefer to teach himself. I am sure this sounds like teenage craziness that a parent should never allow, after all, how in the world could a teenager teach himself? Well, you would be amazed what a kid with a good book and a strong curiosity could learn. Now I am not completely willing to step out of his way, as it is my job to make sure he is prepared for his future college education and career, but I do have to allow him certain areas where he can succeed on his own. As I find that he can successfully learn difficult subjects on his own, I will be more likely to allow him to take over his education in other areas.

My daughter is middle school aged and she hates being micromanaged. She responds with annoyance when I ask to read over her essays and to check her math work. She feels she is perfectly capable of proofreading her own work as well as using the answer key to check her own math problems. She tells me that if she has a problem, she will let me know. I cannot help but feel a bit insulted and put off by her, but I also know that showing independence at this age is very important.

Some homeschooling parents might become discouraged as they realize that their presence is not as required as it once was with their homeschooling kids. It is however just a part of growing up. My kids do not need or want our constant attention in the way they once did. The good news is that they still want to know I am there if they need me. As I sit here in my room, writing my kids occasionally walk by, and peek their heads in. I take the opportunity to ask questions as to their progress and on today's lessons and they answer and walk away as quickly as possible.

I imaging I am going to have to be very pushy this year, to make sure they stay on track and do not begin to slack off. Between myself three days a week and the teachers (at the homeschool program we use) two days a week, I am sure they will do just fine, but as a mom, I always want to peek over their shoulders. As high school and middle school kids, they always want me to give them a bit of breathing room.

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Learn more about Andrea Hermitt

Andrea Hermitt is a native New Yorker currently residing in GA. She has been married for over 16 years and has two teenage children.

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