5 Ways Grandparents Can Help Homeschool Their Grandchildren

As parents we've probably imagined at some time what it would be like to be a grandparent. Well, that time has arrived for many of us and it is a wondrous experience. Children grow quickly and there just isn't enough time to teach them all there is to know about life or all you want them to know. As grandparents we have a duty to see our grandchildren grow up in a loving, nurturing, safe environment.

Today, however, there is one major difference to the educational aspect of raising children. It is the re-establishment of the parent and family as the primary source for imparting knowledge to the young. It is known today as homeschooling. Homeschooling is not new. It's been around a long time. For centuries children have been taught by their parents well into their young adult lives. Without going into the nitty gritty of the history of education, here are 5 ways the grandparents of today can help homeschool their grandchildren: 

1. Learn all there is to know about homeschooling. Research the pros and cons, the history of homeschooling, and absorb as much information on the subject as you can. If you haven't had the privilege of raising a homeschooled child yourself, you weren't submerged in the day to day nuances of this natural way of learning.  However, you did raise your own child and you developed a common sense approach to learning. In other words, you're wiser! Some good books on homeschooling to get you started are The Homeschooling Book of Answers and Homeschooling: The Early Years by Linda Dobson.

2. Set aside money in your budget for your grandchild's homeschooling. Do you presently donate money to worthy causes? Then make your grandchild's education one of them. Start a special fund and use it to purchase homeschool materials and books.  Use it for field trips or pay for music lessons your grandchild is taking. Earmark a few dollars of that fund to teach your grandchild about money and how to invest it. Some great books for teaching personal finance are Rich Dad, Poor Dad and Increase Your Financial IQ by Robert Kiyosaki.

3. Make your own home child friendly and a learning environment. Keep a ready supply of educational toys, books and materials on hand. Make them available at all times. Take some of your old hats, shoes, clothing or jewelry and create a dress-up box for your grandchild to enjoy. Put together a tool box for your grandchild so you can work on special projects together. Keep child size garden tools handy if you like to work outdoors or equipment for other outdoor activities. Plan at least one special educational experience each time your grandchild visits or you visit them, even if it's as simple as giving them a new book for their home library. 

4. Become a mentor for your grandchild. You are a wealth of information--cash in on it and share what you know. Your grandchild will think you're the smartest person in the world and love you for it. Learning needn't be drudgery so develop your own special way to impart your knowledge that is fun and meaningful. As an older adult you've lived a full life so far and hopefully you've learned many good lessons. Read to your grandchild or teach them how to garden, how to build a birdhouse or how to cook a favorite old recipe. Teach them skills they need to know to survive and thrive in this world.

5. Let your grandchild inherit their history from you. Share with them your knowledge, your experience and your love of their heritage. Tell them about their ancestors and let them know who these people were. Most children want to know where they came from, historically speaking. Did they have ancestors who migrated from another country? Do they resemble a great-great-great grandparent? Pass on to your grandchild the treasures you've kept in a trinket box all these years and tell them the stories behind each old photo, lock of hair, pocket watch or letter. That way, if they should inherit one of those items they'll know it's history and why it was worth keeping. Children love listening to stories, especially when you have a prop to go with it. Become their favorite storyteller. 

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Glenn Beck calls on grandparents to help with homeschooling

This makes sense to me and I make no apologies for it. Many of us were the first to homeschool our children. Now our grown children are having babies. Yes, our grandchildren are being born! It would only make sense that we step up to assist our grandchildren with their homeschooling, after all we're the ones with the experience and now the extra time and money. Don't have the extra time and money? Then make some! That's how important it is you give your grandchildren the same educational opportunities and freedom your children had while growing up.

I remember when we first announced we'd be homeschooling and my mother-in-law expressed her concern. After the initial shock of finding out her only grandchildren would never attend public or private school she became our greatest supporter and most loyal advocate. Although she resided hundreds of miles away she faithfully sent care packages containing all sorts of educational materials and supplies to our young children. We kept up our correspondence with letters, phone calls and photographs of each of the children's progress. Today we have email, digital cameras, webcams and even Facebook. As the old telephone ad said, "It's the next best thing to being there!"

It is time for many of us in this country to rethink education and consider an alternative to the dangerous institution we know as public school. Can you think of a better way to spend time with your grandchildren than teaching them the skills you have or by sharing with them the years of knowledge you've accumulated? Not only will you be helping raise articulate, happy and well socialized grandchildren, you'll be giving a much needed financial  and morale boost to their parents.


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Grandparents can homeschool too

The author of this short article barely delves into the benefits of having grandparents involved with homeschooling their grandchildren. This could be incentive for me to elaborate further how grandparents can be beneficial to their grandchild's homeschooling in a future post. Let me think on that awhile.

"For the grandparent, dwelling schooling their grandchildren is typically a opportunity for interaction. Being in a position to spend endless hours in the company of a grandchild will be the principal incentive for many grandparents, though you will discover other benefits."

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