I want to share with you 5 advantages of homeschooling an only child. Since I began homeschooling my only child I’ve discovered that there are some who have a bias toward only child parenting. Even more so against those who choose to homeschool that only child.
For some, sheltering a child in the home and keeping them from public school will somehow hold them back, keep them un-socialized and in some ways make them disadvantaged.
The reality is homeschooling an only child has both advantages and disadvantages.
This post contains affiliate advertisement links.
Homeschooling Your Only Child Advantages
I Save on School Supplies.
Homeschooling an Only Child means I only have to purchase 1 workbook, textbook or supply. While others have to purchase more.
I can sleep in. Maybe you don’t see the advantage in this, but as a night owl, I struggle in the mornings. Fortunately for me my Little Man hasn’t ever been one to wake up too early. So we both sleep in and start school a bit later. Generally, we start around 10-10:30.
I Can Provide More Outside Activities.
Because I have only one child, I can provide him opportunities to explore his interests. While I still have to be conscience of the family budget, having only one child allows me the freedom to say “yes” to activities. We allow him to participate in these: Piano, Voice, Gym, Chess and occasional group classes that may be available throughout the year.
I Have More Flexibility.
Because I am only working on the schedule of one child, I can be more flexible when new opportunities, field trips, classes, or play dates come along.
Deeper Relationship.
Having only one child and homeschooling him, I am forming a deeper relationship with my child. I am with him teaching him, encouraging him, playing with him, and talking with him. I’m his go to for support. I’m not saying moms of multiples can’t develop a deep relationship with each of her children, but her attention is divided so in my opinion through homeschooling an only child moms can develop a deeper relationship like no other.
If you are a homeschooling parent to an only child you may feel like you are all alone. But many parents are choosing homeschooling, including parents of only children. There are resources available to you and there are communities where you can find support. You are not alone and neither is your child.
- Homeschool One Child – The Homeschool Mom
- Homeschooling an Only Child – Homeschool Christian.com
- Homeschooling an Only Child: The Pros and Cons – Simple Homeschool
- Homeschooling 101: Homeschooling an Only Child – Confessions of a Homeschooler
- Socialization & Homeschooling an Only Child – Happy Homeschool Nest
Your child has you, loving parents who are seeking to provide for their greatest needs, for their greatest good. May you be blessed in the process.
Do you homeschool an only child? What advantages do you see in homeschooling your only child? Share your story in the comments below. Let’s join together to encourage each other.
Don’t Miss These Posts
5 of the Best Articles on the Web for Homeschooling an Only Child
The Parenting Road to Good Character
How to Use Family Audiobooks for Character Training in Young Teens
This post is part of iHomeschool Network’s Things No One Tells You about Homeschooling.
Thank you for this article, Renee! As you know, we have an “only,” and even though we would like to grow our family, an “only” is what we have been blessed with at this time – and we are so very thankful for him! It helps to see the positive aspects as you have illustrated above… thanks again… keep up the good work! You are such an encouragement to me! 🙂
You are so welcome Amy. Blessings to you and your family.
I recently started homeschooling our only, and people are often Very Concerned about her socialization. I just tell them that when she was in a public school last year, all her teacher did all year long was admonish her to stop socializing! Now we concentrate on school in the morning at our house, with no distractions, and then we socialize during extracurriculars and field trips and free play time with other kids. She gets as much or more socializing now than she did in public school, where she was so tempted to talk to other kids the whole time. Homeschooling is working for us!
Yes! Absolutely guided socialization is far better than merely sitting in the same room with people of the same age. That’s not socialization. Don’t worry about the naysayers. Just focus on your own child, your families goals for her and you’ll do just fine.