You remember that weird homeschooled kid from your childhood, right? It’s not like that anymore.
This is not what I thought my day-to-day life would look like as an Army spouse with three kids. By trade, I’m in the behavioral sciences. I do research, what I am not, is a teacher.
Four years ago, we were in the midst of COVID-19 and I was determined to not send my first child to school in the middle of it. So, I did the thing I said I would never do and we haven’t looked back since. We are going into our fifth year of homeschooling with a program we have loved because it works for our military family.
Here are the pros and cons of homeschooling your military kids:
Pros:
Flexibility
The military is not known for its flexibility. How many times have you had plans canceled because of your service member’s orders or duty roster? We’ve learned to live with the unpredictable. But homeschooling has given us back the flexibility that military service takes away. Spouse has a random day off? Fantastic, we’re going to the museum and having a family day. My children have been able to see those once-in-a-lifetime military events because they aren’t confined to a strict schedule or classroom.
Personalization
My fourth grader is taking Latin. I do not speak Latin, nor does my husband. But my 9-year-old daughter can. Why are we doing Latin? Because she wants to and it’s a practical subject in Classical Education. We have the ability to personalize lesson plans. Going to watch cadets jump out of helicopters? It’s the perfect time to introduce physics.
Extracurriculars
Most children have some sort of extracurriculars in their education whether it be what they get at school or after-school sports. My children have the time to do their extras and actual time to practice piano during the day without coming home burnt out from school. Then they get to go to an Army gymnastics facility because we are lucky enough to live on an amazing installation.
Options
So many options. I guarantee there is a curriculum out there that will work for you and your family.
Cons:
Options:
Yes, this one is absolutely on here twice because everyone has a homeschool curriculum they prefer and somehow it seems it’s always better than the one you are using. The options can be overwhelming.
Increased responsibility:
You are already responsible for these miniature human beings and probably running a household, now you want to add their education to your plate? Good luck with that. Now you actually do need to pick that curriculum and plan lessons and keep everyone on track. Congratulations! You just added a full-time job to your resume.
Time:
Speaking of a job, you may have just lost your ability to work outside the home if you decided to homeschool, but the military likely already messed with your spousal employment anyway. The good news is the older your children are, the more they will work independently, and I promise you can have your own life.
State Laws:
We are living in one of the only locations that reports to DODEA for our students, everyone else reports to the state where they are living. Because we move so often, it can be difficult to keep a proper record-keeping “profile” and continually update ourselves on what we need to be submitting. If we had the ability to report strictly to DODEA while living on military installations, it would take away a lot of confusion.
Everyone’s biggest concern is that if they homeschool their kids, they aren’t going to fit in or succeed in life. They are going to be socially awkward. But do you know who was homeschooled? Simone Biles. Yes, the Olympian was homeschooled and no one could argue she isn’t successful.