For years the thought of homeschooling my daughter with special needs made me cringe. Educating my typical kids proved hard enough, and just the thought of bringing her home and adding her to the mix was overwhelming. Public school gave me a much needed reprieve from all her negative behaviors and demands. She loved her time with her wonderful teachers and friends, and we both looked forward to the bus coming each morning. Homeschooling was the last thing we both wanted to do.
As each school year came and passed and her 10th birthday approached, I began to see some downsides of sending her to school. My daughter was learning her numbers and letters, but because the demands of her day took 100% of her energy, she became distant with her family and still couldn’t do simple skills like get dressed, shower or help around the house.
I wondered if it was possible to teach her academics alongside these daily tasks. So, like a few brave moms of special kiddos before me, I decided to take the plunge!
The first six months were rough-I mean really, really rough. Tears and tantrums (I’m talking about me of course), refusal to do work, more tantrums, figuring out exactly what grade to begin with, teaching basics (first we pick up the pencil and then open the book), and more tantrums.
Then it clicked. After about six long, grueling months it really clicked. Now we are in our second year of doing school at home (woohoo!) with no regrets.
Here are 5 key benefits of special needs homeschooling I wish I knew years ago:
- Benefit of Time. Time for church clubs. Late nights with dad. No rush to bed. Time at the library. Time to practice buttoning shirts, opening jars, preparing food. Time to take classes with close, lifelong friends. Time to fall asleep on the couch in the middle of the afternoon. No homework after an already overly exhausting day. Time to play. Time to learn new things. Time to thrive. Time to stop and focus on a lesson we don’t quite understand yet. Then time to excel in excellence with what we just mastered.
- Benefit to Serve Others. When I am gone, the responsibility for taking care of my daughter will be on another’s shoulders. Will I leave her as a blessing for someone else, or will she be a burden? Now that she is at home we have the time and energy needed to learn how to take out the trash, empty the dishwasher, clean, take care of personal hygiene, get dressed, and to serve those around her.
- Benefit to Deepen Relationships. Because of my daughter’s adoption and substance exposure, bonding hasn’t come easily. Over the last year, though, our relationship has started taking off! Working side by side, hour by hour, attaining hard goals together has rewarded our relationship! Slowly, she has started giving me hugs and kisses! I feel closer to her now than ever before.
- Benefit of Success. Success in relationships, behavior, academics, life skills…we achieve progress each and every day! Her doctors say
she won’t be able to read…but today she is sounding out simple words! She told me she will be able to read by her 12th birthday. {This is her new goal!} She is also defying the doctors by doing simple math, something I never thought was possible. - Benefit of Relaxation. Sleeping in after late nights. No early bus to catch. The ability to cut back on anxiety meds. Having her hair grow out instead of her anxiously pulling it out. Her childhood is special, and it is a joy to finally watch her relax and enjoy it!
Are you wondering if homeschooling is right for you? If so, I hope you realize you can do it! Please let me hear from you so I can encourage you on your journey!
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