I want to be a homeschool parent, and my daughter does too, but unfortunately I am one of those working mothers (part time) who has to work in order to provide her family with health insurance. If there was another option (my son is considered “uninsurable” by private health insurance companies due to his congenital heart condition), I would do it in order to provide my daughter with the individual education she deserves. I’m a credentialed teacher: I know I could do a good job.

For many families facing tough economic times during this recession, both parents need to work to provide enough income to survive. What does this do for homeschooling?

Apparently, nothing. Parents who homeschool are choosing night jobs over giving up homeschool. Homeschool mom Judy Aron of West Hartford, Connecticut explains:

Homeschoolers are pretty self-reliant. They’d rather cut back on other things…. They very vehemently don’t want to see themselves as victims.

Other families are looking at homeschool as an alternative to private school tuition. Homeschool organizations expect to see an increase in the practice rather than a decrease as families scrimp and focus on what is really important.  I know we will be homeschooling if I am laid off, which is a possibility considering the budget crisis in CA.