One of the major arguments against homeschooling is that most parents are not qualified to homeschool because they are not trained teachers.
The question “What qualifications do you need to homeschool your child?” can be answered literally (i.e. legality) and figuratively (i.e. best personal traits).
Let’s examine both.
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Literal Qualifications to Homeschool Your Child
In the United States, each state has its own set of laws dictating who is qualified to homeschool. Some states’ laws include minimum qualifications to homeschool and some do not.
For example, in Georgia, North Carolina, and North Dakota a parent must have at minimum a high school diploma or GED to homeschool.
In California, there is no minimum education requirement for parents.
In Arkansas, there is no minimum education requirement for parents, but homeschooling is not allowed in homes with a registered sex offender.
To see the legal qualification requirements for your own state, check out homeschoolstatelaws.com.
If you are not American, you can see the legality and qualifications of your own country here.
Figurative Qualifications to Homeschool Your Child
Now that you know the legal qualifications, let’s examine some traits that will help you be a more “qualified” homeschool parent.
Love – You already love your child more than anyone else on the planet. As their mom or dad, you want the best for them.
Love means putting someone else’s needs before your own. In the case of homeschooling, it means making sure your child gets an adequate education not only in academics, but also in life skills, relationships, and faith.
Understanding – First, you need to understand that you were always your child’s first teacher. You taught them how to walk, talk, flush, and brush. YOu have taught them to share and care. You have taught them how to react and respond to others.
Next, understand that sitting through teacher education courses at university will not help you to homeschool. These classes are more about crowd control and how to teach 25 students at the same time. Those are very important skills for teachers in an institutional school setting, but not necessary for a homeschool parent.
You must also understand that most homeschool curriculum is written with the idea that parents are not subject experts. Many curricula will include video lessons, or very detailed explanations and more to help parents teach all subjects.
Finally, understand that you do not have to teach everything yourself. If you do not feel comfortable teaching high school science, you can easily outsource that subject by registering your teen for an online course, a local co-op class, or a dual enrollment course at the local community college. You do not have to do it all yourself.
Ability to learn patience – I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard parents say, “Oh, I could never homeschool! I don’t have the patience!”
News flash: NOBODY has the patience to homeschool!
But one thing is for certain… you will have ample opportunity to learn and develop patience as you homeschool.
Go with the flow, relax, do the best you can every day, and pray your way through it.
Final Thoughts
When all is said and done, you will launch your child into the real world and find that the entire process has changed you as much as it has changed your child.
Trust that you are the MOST qualified to teach to your child because you love them, understand them, and want the best for them.
