Working in Partnership with My Teens on Their Homeschool Journey

Guest Blogger: Jaimi Erickson April 15, 2024

I love having teenagers. Yep, you read that right! The teenage years intimidate some parents. I have found that the teen years bring a partnership to our homeschool. 

I was sitting in a group of parents who spoke about parenting teens. Their comments suggested that you just let them do what they want. As a homeschool mom, those are not my goals or my reality.

Homeschooling my children has provided a partnership relationship with my children. Even as they have grown into teenagers, we have maintained positive relationships. Teenagers are in a stage of life where we as parents must be present, involved, and intentional. 

But, they are also in a stage where they know a lot about themselves. They have valuable thoughts and opinions we can use to help them succeed in their education.

3 Ways I Partner with My Teens for Homeschool Success

1) Take on the Role of Coach

It becomes natural to gear your homeschool learning to your child’s interests. When we are steering our homeschool ship in a direction that keeps kids interested in learning, we experience smoother sailing. 

The challenging part is that it can take time for our children to articulate their goals, learning preferences, and interests. 

This type of team-learning approach makes homeschooling dynamic and special. I have shifted into the role of a coach. My goal is to encourage, correct, and guide my teens to reach their learning goals and objectives. At these ages, they really are learning on their own.

It is a different mindset than when you homeschool younger children. There is so much time on your feet, focused on one-on-one teaching. It feels like you will need to be glued to your child’s side forever. And then, one new school year, it all shifts. 

2) Focus on Their Interests and Learning Style

I joke that this school year my daughter fired me as her teacher. She realized that she prefers being self-directed and she asked me to help facilitate that approach. 

She wanted workbooks in every subject. Her preferred location for completing schoolwork was in her room. And, she only wanted my intervention to score her work or clarify where she faced confusion.

This was a life-changing moment that made me sad and one that made me so thankful. My daughter has been in an academic environment that fostered her intrinsic motivation so much, she felt confident to tell me her goals. 

It did make my teaching time easier too. With her working independently, it allowed me to strike more of a balance. 

She may have fired me, but she launched a bit as well. She knew what she needed to do to be successful. 

I oversee and ask questions. But, she really does do her work without any reminders. 

Homeschooling in an environment that fosters personal growth within our kids can produce independent learners. We have to be willing to allow it to happen.

3) Encourage Self-Directed Study with Requirements 

We always keep the legal requirements of homeschooling in mind. Check your state requirements before customizing your child’s learning plan. I have found, after homeschooling in three different states, our creative approach to homeschooling always fits into the legal requirements. 

Unit studies are a great way to cover multiple state requirements and subjects at one time. Some of the simplest and inexpensive curricula also keep the academic progress moving forward. 

Homeschooling teens is both possible and enjoyable. We just need to shift into coach mode, work together as a team with our teens, and use dynamic learning opportunities to encourage their interests and success. Working as a partner with my teen has made the teenage years a fun parenting experience.

Jaimi Erickson is a homeschool mom of 4, military wife, and writer. She blogs about balanced motherhood, kids’ activities, homeschooling, and homemaking tips at The Stay-at-Home Mom Survival Guide. Her new book A Parent’s Guide to School Choice: All the school options you do have is available on Amazon. You can connect with her on Instagram, Facebook or Pinterest.

Jaimi Erickson

Founder | Digital Production Manager

The Stay-at-Home Mom Survival Guide

jaimierickson@gmail.com

Contributor @ spouselink.aafmaa.com

Contributor @ Military Families (hslda.org)