Being a homeschooler isn’t easy no matter what type of homeschooling you choose to do. Being a secular homeschooler is hard too, because it isn’t that common. Though homeschooling isn’t common in general, secular homeschooling is less common within the homeschooling community.
Why Being A Secular Homeschooler Is Hard
*This post contains affiliate links, see my disclosure policy for more information.*
It’s Lonely
There aren’t a lot of secular communities out there, and there aren’t a lot of secular homeschoolers in our area either. So as a secular homeschooler it can be lonely if you are going to only be friends/socialize with like homeschoolers.
We try to get together with homeschoolers, but try to find those that aren’t overly religious. Using causal settings, such as playgrounds and museums is a great way to get together without worrying about religion.
In our experience formal, planned get together’s are near impossible. Near. If you find one that fits you that’s great. Maybe consider creating your own. As shy person, knowing no one, I have commented in homeschooling groups on Facebook to connect with like minded homeschoolers. Facebook homeschool groups are a great way to “meet” people and arrange get togethers. Search homeschool and your area on Facebook and see what you find.
Secular Curriculum is Hard to Find
I was so so happy when I discovered BookShark, because other than it, I don’t know of a fully secular curriculum.
I don’t want to take a curriculum and work around a religion, I want it secular – open and go, especially for what you pay for it.
You can get workbooks that are without religion, which if you aren’t looking for a full curriculum, or are an eclectic homeschooler. We used this method for our first couple years and it worked great.
Do you find anything difficult in being a secular homeschooler?
I’m glad I found this post because I’ve been dealing with the same problem, but for different reasons.
I am Christian, but I DO empathize! I come from a very different walk of life than most of my peers. I have seen things, survived things, that only God saw, understood, or helped while others looked away. Small miracles I only appreciated after I had kids.
So I am not as “Evangelical” as many Christians, and Curriculum is usually geared for that or Catholicism. I have had to search out Secular Curriculum, and teach my kids the Gospel as Christ taught it Himself. Intended as an anchor in the storm, not a stone to be thrown.
(I also have Family who are Gay, Agnostic, and some who struggle with Alcoholism. They are my Family, and they Love Their Kids as much as any Christian. So I get it.)
I’ve moved around a lot, and I can honestly say I’ve had just as much trouble finding groups that aren’t Judgy and Self-righteousness, Christian or Not.
If its not Religion, then its Politics. We are a Military family, and only the kids of “Monsters” think its ok that Daddy “kills people for a living”.
If its not Politics, its Parenting. I spank my kids occasionally. A whole group stopped talking to me for a week when I gently swatted my child. It had been a long week with her and I was exhausted, but they didn’t care.
If its not Parenting, its Snob Hill. Because only total “White Trash” would show up in a tank top and jeans, and drive a used car.
What I learned after 17 years, is that sometimes you have to be the Mature one, and forgive people their small-mindedness.
At the end of the day, all that matters is that you both Love Your Kids. Sometimes that’s all you have in common. And we forgive the rest, because we’re all just trying to figure this crazy world out, the Best Way We Know How.
You’ll be surprised how much this attitude gives others permission to relax and let their flaws show.
And when our flaws show, its easier to remind people that its not smart to judge, because they’re not perfect. And Karma can be Vicious.
Sometimes you gotta be the Influencer.
That Calm, Queit Assertion that you are safe to be Real with.
Keep on keeping on. There are Christians who get it, you just have to find us.
~Rebekah
Ps, I stick with Story Of The World. Its Non-Denominational compared to most others. And ALL Religions influenced History. You don’t have to be a “Believer”, its just useful stuff to know.
I could have written Rebeka’s reply almost word-for-word! We, too, are a military family, so we have that struggle with finding groups. I’m Christian but we don’t homeschool for religious reasons and, frankly, I steer away from almost all Christian curriculum. The fact that I’m a Christian but don’t use Christian curriculum pretty much labels me as an atheist to many Christians. And the fact that I’m a Christian pretty much makes me Pat Robertson to many in the secular crowd!
These groups we fall into…it’s so hard! I’m a pretty good chameleon but I hate having to be one just to find people.
I know this post is a little older but I connect with it so very much! I was raised as a pastor’s kid and grandkids and married a man who ended up becoming a pastor. Last January marked a huge turning point in my life where I deconverted from Christianity and it has made homeschooling extremely tricky. There are only a couple of homeschool groups in our area and they are both incredibly religious based. So much so that my son was in a lego club at one co-op and they did devotionals every week at the beginning of the class. I know that the kids and I desperately need community but it seems nearly impossible to find a group that is accepting and welcoming to non-religious homeschoolers. I’m pretty discouraged and at a loss of what to do at the moment.