Homeschooling Teenagers
Teenagers! Just the word teenagers makes me all tense and nervous! Then add the fact that I have taken on the responsibility of homeschooling teenagers and you have one nervous mama!
How do I do it? I started by taking a deep breath and then I navigate one day at a time. Here are some of the things I have learned on my journey with my teenager.
Two-Folds for Homeschooling Teenagers
When I think about homeschooling teenagers, the journey seems two-fold to me.
The first thing needed when homeschooling teenagers is pretty obvious, you need academics. They are going to require things like math skills, science competency, knowledge of history, and the ability to write a clear and concise paper. The second might not be so obvious.
The second thing is character building/life skills. If you have a teen who is not working towards accountability, and self-motivation, then you have a teen who will struggle with accomplishing their academics. The two things work hand in hand.
Why I Write About Homeschooling Teenagers
The number one reason why I do this is because I am traveling down this journey of raising and homeschooling a teenager. This is my first go around and I am learning as I go. As I travel this path I have been sharing the things that have been working, or not working for us in an effort to help others that are or will be traveling down this path. Sometimes it is just good to know you are not the only one, and sometimes we might just learn something from each other!
The things I share might be in the form of product reviews like Dual Credit at Home, North Star Geography, or Teaching Textbooks. (There are many more that you can find by using the Reviews Category) These are all programs we have used or are currently using ourselves and I have taken the time to tell you all about our experiences with them.
Other times I am sharing about how we are going about the job of helping our teen learn Time Management, or how we are managing our teens texting, or teaching money management skills (this is both academic and character based). These tasks are less academic and more about character and the type of human being you are raising. These can be really tough. <sigh>
I have spent the past year or more really working on Time Management and Accountability with my teen. We have set up systems using our white board chore chart, her 4 Year High School Planner, and Homeschool Tracker.
Another major hurdle when homeschooling teens pertains to finding and choosing high school electives. This is something we spent extensive time on during our teens eight grade year. I have created a Plan Your High School Electives FREE Printable Pack to help you with ideas for electives, and to help you and your teen narrow down the choices to the ones that are best suited for your teen.
Each of these resources has played a big part in our process of helping her to gain skills like creating and following a schedule, learning to adjust and flex when the schedule doesn’t go as planned, and holding herself accountable to the tasks she has set for herself.
To get more information about homeschooling teenagers check out my Pinterest Help for Homeschooling High School where you will find 5 of my most popular Pinterest Boards on these topics.
The Big Book of Homeschooling Ideas
That is why I chose to write two chapters in the iHomeschool Network Book: The Big Book of Homeschooling Ideas
Not surprisingly, the two chapters I wrote are called Making Tweens and Teens More Independent Learners and High School Literature. In each chapter I include tips and tricks to guide you during your journey of helping your teen grow into a more independent, self-confident person with the skills and knowledge to navigate their own lives. Get these two chapters, plus information on over 100 other topics from 55 other homeschool moms for a great deal until November 10th!
Big Book of Homeschool Ideas Author Blog Tour
Don’t miss The Big Book of Homeschooling Ideas author blog tour!
Yesterday on the tour, October 19 – Adelien Tandian from Blessed Learners. Author of the chapters How to Start Research With Your Logic Stage Kids. Adelien will be giving away Basic Science Notebooking Pages and Graphic Organizers.
Coming up tomorrow, October 21 – Dianna Kennedy from The Kennedy Adventures. Author of the chapters Keeping Babies and Toddlers Occupied While Homeschooling, Managing Extra Curricular Activities and Homeschooling, and Homeschooling While Pregnant. Dianna will be giving away a $25 Amazon gift card.
October 20, 2014 @ 8:56 am
I love trying new planners! 🙂
Tara H
October 20, 2014 @ 10:09 am
I wohld love to win this!
October 20, 2014 @ 12:13 pm
Thanks for the giveaway! We are big planner users and I’m always searching for the perfect system.
October 20, 2014 @ 2:32 pm
We are in our first highschool homeschool year! We have never used a planner before, but I can see the desperate need for it now!
October 21, 2014 @ 1:27 am
I really need a great planner! Thanks for the giveaway!
October 21, 2014 @ 10:11 am
Time Management and accoutability is what we are working on too. My almost 13 year old is enrolled in her first high school level class this year and it is a struggle to get her focused
October 21, 2014 @ 12:18 pm
I love this giveaway. And as a mom of twin teens that has basically badly unschooled…so am starting to panic.
October 21, 2014 @ 6:14 pm
Very comprehensive and helpful post! I’ll be homeschooling my oldest for high school starting next year!
October 22, 2014 @ 9:55 am
I need to work on having my teen be more independent. Thank you!
October 25, 2014 @ 6:30 pm
Great post!
October 27, 2014 @ 10:38 pm
Great Giveaway and information about homeschooling during the high school years! Thanks for sharing!
October 28, 2014 @ 11:09 am
Our oldest daughter will be in high school next year so I’m already reading up on homeschooling a teenager. Thanks for great information and encouragement!
October 29, 2014 @ 6:23 pm
I love this planner! Thanks for the giveaway.
October 30, 2014 @ 10:32 am
Would love to win!
October 30, 2014 @ 11:39 am
Thank you for doing this giveaway!
October 30, 2014 @ 12:03 pm
I desperately need a planner!! 🙂
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February 9, 2018 @ 7:13 pm
I just came across this post and will definitely look into getting this book myself now!