I cannot teach anybody anything.  I can only make them think.

-Socrates

My spontaneous reaction to this question is an unequivocal YES!  It goes without saying that a mother’s love for her child cannot be replaced by anyone else.  And it’s that deep-rooted bond that will pull the mother through the most difficult of challenges with her child.   With homeschooling gaining in popularity as an alternative to traditional schools, many mothers are doubting whether they have the qualifications to teach their children.  As an experienced homeschool mother, I understand these worries.  Let’s explore the answers and help alleviate the apprehensions you may have.

Myth of Teacher Qualifications
One myth is that a mother needs formal training to be able to teach her children.  This is definitely not a barrier since many states in the US have no requirements.  However, because there are a few states that do require a high school diploma or GED, it would be best to check with your state first if this is an issue.  With this myth dispelled, know that your unique set of skills, talents and life experiences are more than enough to guide your child through his learning journey.   

Nurture a Love For Learning

From my experience, the most important aspect of a teacher is to guide a child toward a love of life-long learning.  There is no one perfect curriculum or perfect style of teaching.  It’s simply a matter of observing where your child’s interests and talents lie and leading them in that direction.  Their inner joy will shine through as they purposely work on projects they find meaningful and important.  They will thrive as long as they don’t feel like they’re ‘doing school’.

The Power of Learning Together

Homeschooling gifts us with the remarkable opportunity to not only share in our child’s learning experience but also to learn alongside her.  For me, I actually learned history with my daughters.  In looking at it from several angles and in more of a story format, history became fascinating to me for the first time in my life.  Learning comes down to fostering a sense of curiosity which then naturally leads to a desire to think critically and non-linearly when needed. 

Tailoring Education to Individual Needs
One of the most significant advantages of homeschooling is the ability to tailor your child’s learning journey in a manner that uplifts her.  She can engage in meaningful experiences that reflect her passions, and your family’s lifestyle and ethics.  Real life skills can replace meaningless worksheets and book reports.  For the 7 years we lived on a farm in South America, the girls learned about the native plants and flowers and how they could be used in healing as well as how to round up a stray cow from a local gaucho in Spanish.  These are the type of unique experiences possible in a homeschool.

Overcoming Self-Doubt

It’s only natural to doubt yourself when embarking on homeschooling.  This is not what most of us grew up knowing and it seems somewhat unnatural at first.  But with a little time under your belt, you’ll come to see that it is only natural that you should impart your knowledge and life skills on to your children.  There is no right way or even a wrong way to homeschool.  The most important aspect is the desire and dedication of the mother with the support of a father.  The ultimate goal is to raise responsible young adults who engage respectfully within society.

So, dear mothers, you are most definitely qualified to teach and nurture your own children.  As long as you are heart-driven, your homeschool journey will be successful!  Have trust in yourself and embark on this amazing journey with confidence.