I have heard the statement “Everyone can’t home school” many times over the years. Parents and educators often suggest that single parents, working parents and parents of children with special needs can’t home school. Throughout the years I have watched and continue to watch parents destroy these misconceptions by simply doing what so many have said can’t be done. They effectively home school their children.

I set out on a quest to interview some of those parents several months ago and have compiled a few of their stories.

“I chose to home school originally over 25 years ago because I saw firsthand through my student teaching that the public school would not be teaching my children the morals and values I felt were important. I saw the impact of social pressures defining a child’s self-esteem. I have seen over the years how important it has been for my children to be free from the social pressures and influences to conform to worldly views of who they should be and want to be. Having children with special learning difficulties has also shown me the importance of being able to design a learning environment tailored to their abilities and strengths,” Kathie Weihe said.

“As a single mom, home schooling has been very challenging. My calling has always been to home school and my determination to fulfill that calling has kept me moving towards that goal. I have a job that allows me to have a flexible schedule while working from home. My children do a great deal of self-teaching and also benefit from working together on subjects. I give them a weekly schedule that they can work on at their own pace. The schedule includes any activities or appointments which gives them the opportunity to learn how to manage their time. I have to be realistic and allow a great deal of flexibility.”

Weihe’s adopted children all have special challenges learning, but being able to tailor their education has allowed them to learn in a less stressful environment and to take breaks when they are overwhelmed.

“One child learned to read while hanging upside down on the side of the couch and climbing on top of the refrigerator. They are free to move as they need and meet their vestibular needs without bothering classmates. They are also able to use calming techniques such as petting their cat or dog as needed or wrapping themselves in or under a blanket,” the home-school mom continued. “Through home schooling, I have been able to give them skills for adulthood rather than throw them into an environment that causes them to shut down and learn nothing. Our motto is: Every destination is a chance for education. Every trip to the grocery store is an opportunity to teach a life skill which is more important to challenged learners than completing another worksheet.”

Another parent had issues with a private school not following the doctor’s protocol regarding her children’s medical needs, which resulted in ER trips and hospitalizations.

“The negative socialization was also a determining factor when choosing home schooling. I understood that I was no longer directing my child’s education and what they were being exposed to. Not only was it being directed by other adults, but also by other students. I knew that I needed to find a way to intervene before it had a negative lasting impact on my children,” the parent, who chose to remain anonymous, said, adding that the enormous cost of private school was requiring her to work paycheck to paycheck to pay tuition.

“Financially, I needed to find another way,” she said. “When I told my co-workers I was quitting my job, pulling my children from school and we were traveling the world they were terrified. I felt like I could see our future and I needed to home-school. I didn’t want my children to become a statistic.”

The parent chose to babysit, bartend, resell items, and clean houses, and eventually was promoted to property management.

“I am a single mom, with no child support (never received a dime), and I haven’t relied on welfare. I am self-employed. I have no family support system. If I can do it, anyone can do it,” she said. “Our home-school journeys have included traveling the world to places such as Asia, Europe, the Middle East and living in Australia. Stop being afraid of stepping off the ledge. It didn’t go from being terrifying to being secure in a year. It takes sacrifice but it is worth it. Our lifestyle has provided experiences we would have never had if I had remained at my traditional job. My children are well-rounded, well-adjusted and extremely social with all age demographics.”

DeeAnn Standlee has home-schooled as a stay-at-home mom, as a single mom and as a working married mom.

“My husband does a lot of the running to lessons and such now but I still do most of the ‘school’ part with my son,” Standlee said. “My ex-husband is also involved with home schooling and that makes me very happy.”

Marcy Green shares, “I was threatened with truancy due to my children’s medical issues. My children were bullied in public school and the school did nothing about the bullying even when brought to their attention. My children have been diagnosed with ADHD, autism, reactive airway disorder, celiac disease and Type 1 diabetes. Due to these issues, public school would be so much more stress on me and my children. My children struggle to learn in the traditional way that is taught at school.”

Green insists her children need the one-on-one time and to learn the way that works best for them.

“My kids’ mental health is important to me,” she continued. “I really don’t want them subjected to ridicule because of their struggles. I want to have control over what my kids learn both inside and outside of school.”

These are just a few of the testimonials from home-school families I know personally. The home-school community at large is a diverse group of families that have shattered misconceptions regarding home schooling. Single parents, working parents and parents of children with special needs are all successfully home schooling their children.

The common denominator in all these stories is that they have made the necessary sacrifices and their families are thriving. If you are considering home schooling and would like more information you can contact me at freeyourchildren@gmail.com.