Thank you for being here. 🙂 Long story short, my husband and I have a 3 year old daughter. Two years ago, I felt very called to homeschool. At the same time, we started trying for our second. Fast forward two years, and we're navigating unexplained secondary infertility. For a long time I felt so confused because I knew God was calling me to homeschool, but I never imagined homeschooling an only. After months of discernment, my husband and I have decided we're not being called to adoption (at least not currently.) So what I've realized is that God may be calling me to come to terms with homeschooling an only child. What gives me comfort is that His plans are always greater than ours. Just discovered your channel, and it brings me comfort, and makes me feel like my daughter and I have a space in a homeschool environment. 😊❤️
I just wanted to come on here and say that we are in very similar situations. I have a six year old son and never imagined we would have an only child, but here we are. For years I felt God calling me to homeschool and so we did for kindergarten this past year and it has been the best thing for our family! ❤️
I homeschool my only child, a daughter. she went to public K-5th and I started homeschooling in 6th. she is now in 10th grade. She loves being homeschooled and is vocal about it.
Hi! I have a 6th grader now and she’s doing online school which is not going well. It’s a lot of work and she gets bored. I also have just her and last year she was homeschooled but I also work from home and it’s really tough. I think she likes learning from home though, I just have not found the right learning program for her and I don’t want her on the phone when she’s bored. My concern is her social life. She still talks to her friends from school on and off, sees her cousins on the weekends but that is pretty much. My family are concerned that she is not in school talking to other kids her age. Any advice? May I ask what program you are using with your daughter? Thank you 🙏🏻
Wow! Yes, I'm homeschooling my only child and I'm the only one providing for her. I'm in the same place. It is nice to hear your words. Because, for me being a homeschool mom of an only child it's been a lonely road for 2 years now. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Something probably even more rare than homeschooling an only child is what I'm doing. I have a bachelor's degree, and I'm "homeschooling" myself as a therapeutic exercise to repeat high school on my own terms, since I have a lot of mental trauma there from public school.
So glad I found your channel just added you on Instagram 😊! ❤ Needed to hear this we decided to homeschool this coming new year. Out kiddos are 1yr apart which is a bonus, I relate even more. Thank you for your honesty and wisdom !
I needed this today. I have a 4 year old daughter, and feel called to homeschool her. She is an only child, as we are dealing with secondary infertility. I want more children and have always envisioned that life for me. The 3-4 kids all doing school around the dining table. I have had a really hard time feeling confident about it because I’m worried about my daughter feeling lonely, not having any friends, etc. etc..This was fantastic and exactly what I needed to feel less alone. ❤ thank you! ❤
I have an 8 year old, we found a church with many homeschoolers, and have been in 3 different co-ops throughout the years. We prioritize play dates and I'm the mom who puts in the most effort, that's been hard, but we have friends and my girl is thriving. We're also very close, I'm so grateful for our extra close friendship.
It's so true. It's hard to find others with only on child especially in homeschooling....yes having an only can be difficult when you are the only person for that child.
THANK YOU so much for this!! We pulled our son out of first grade almost 2 months ago, and he is an only child. I relate so much to every point you made in this video.
I think this was a great video. I relate so much to everything you talked about. Honestly, you are the first mom, especially on RUclips I connected with that is homeschooling an only child. Keep it up mama, you got this!
As the momma of an only, I appreciate you doing this video. Most families, especially homeschool families, only have one… and our experiences are just different. Our struggles and easy tasks are not the same so it’s hard to relate sometimes to others.
Only two minutes in but I paused to say we are one and done by choice, too. We love our little "triangle" family! 😀 We also fully intend, with God's permission and blessing, to homeschool her all the way. She's only six so we don't worry too much about her "socialization;" we don't force or make it happen for her. She gets to play with a cousin or a neighbor at least once a week. Most of the time, they're the ones who ask to come over. She's happy when they do but she almost never asks to see them. She also plays with kids at church and in her sports class (we sign her up for a different sport/class every season). On a daily basis, she has us, my husband's parents and the dog to socialize with. She's never lonely.😀 Friends come and go at this age; we know she'll find/choose and nurture her own friendships as she gets older.
I am a homeschool mom also with an only child and it is challenging. I am her everything, no one else to play with and I struggle to get her to be independent with schooling and even playing.
I homeschool an only child, sort of. Our youngest child is 9 years younger than his closest sibling. My daughter graduated in 2022, so the past 18 months have been very interesting only having one left. We've experienced both the positives and negatives of both. My daughter being 9 years older made it interesting to do any subject family style, but we pulled it off with Bible, Home Ec., Science and History. My son missed her presence so much the first 6-8 months. I used to have him and I at the same table throughout the entire time of sit down work. But at the beginning of his 4th grade year, we moved him to his own desk. And on top of that, I frequently leave the room to do tasks around the house. I find when I leave music playing in the background for him, he's more comfortable doing his work alone. I take advantage of that by playing various music from the various composers we are studying.
What you said resonates with me as well. I have a little one and we are wrapping our first year of homeschooling. I can definitely relate to the blessings and struggles of parenting/homeschooling an only. We do have an active social life with family and friends plus we have her enrolled in an enrichment forest school once per week in addition to music and dance so socializing is not something we worry about but helping her and encouraging towards independent work and play is a challenge and a goal I want to try to incorporate more and more. Thank you for sharing your tips and thoughts!
Congratulations on your first year! It sounds like she has great opportunities to learn from others! She will play by herself, usually after I given a few ideas (art being her favorite), but the schoolwork is where we’re still focusing. Thanks for watching!
Great video! I can definitely relate. I love that you are starting at a young age to build the independent working. This is something that we struggle with as well.
Thank you! It’s encouraging to watch your videos and see that I CAN do this with older grades! The independence can be tough…she’s got it in there, she just needs the confidence that goes with.
Thank you for sharing. I am soon to be homeschooling one, our middle son is going to a private Christian school. This is new territory for us, since our youngest who’s never been to school and only schooled with his brother, will soon be educated without him.
I'm right there with you! God blessed us with a 2nd child when we thought we couldn't have more...right now I am only homeschooling my 7 year old son so I get it...my son is also very needy for one on one time with me and its so hard but I wouldn't change it for the world ❤
I have a 4th grader I’m getting ready to hs. It’s gonna be interesting. my child is constantly complaining about being an only child. She has step brothers and sisters that are with her every single weekend and some how she still feels so lonely during the week. She has a best friend and cousins she has sleep overs with. But still. Public school is no longer an option for us. I just hope I can socialize her enough because she clearly wants it
I appreciate this video from you as a mom of a only child who has started our homeschool journey at 3yrs old. As a previous childcare teacher I can say teaching one is much less stressful for sure. Outside of extra curriculum activities do you find it hard to maintain playdates with other children?
Personally, no..but that’s because we joined a co-op this past year. That has truly helped gain and maintain friendships. We do, often, spend time with friends and family that have children around her age.
@@PearlsAndOak Yes I cant wait until we join a co-op that I've found. The co-op starts at the age of 6 but it's been hard maintaining playdates some of her friends are starting preschool.
@@MissKellyofCallKellyDesign I definitely understand that! Mine was 6 when we started co-op and that seems to have been a good age. Prior to, I didn’t stress it too much - I just tried to keep her around friends and family when I could. If you’re able to meet up with friends, even sparingly, I’d say that’s great!
@@MissKellyofCallKellyDesign Glad I could help! Interaction with anyone at any age, can be beneficial for them (in my experience) so don’t stress with making sure it’s only children of the same age. ❤️
![What it's Really Like to Homeschool an Only Child, with Jessica Waldock [Episode 115]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/UdAZvmH4yaQ/mqdefault.jpg)
![What it's Really Like to Homeschool an Only Child, with Jessica Waldock [Episode 115]](/img/tr.png)
Thank you for being here. 🙂 Long story short, my husband and I have a 3 year old daughter. Two years ago, I felt very called to homeschool. At the same time, we started trying for our second. Fast forward two years, and we're navigating unexplained secondary infertility. For a long time I felt so confused because I knew God was calling me to homeschool, but I never imagined homeschooling an only. After months of discernment, my husband and I have decided we're not being called to adoption (at least not currently.) So what I've realized is that God may be calling me to come to terms with homeschooling an only child. What gives me comfort is that His plans are always greater than ours. Just discovered your channel, and it brings me comfort, and makes me feel like my daughter and I have a space in a homeschool environment. 😊❤️
I just wanted to come on here and say that we are in very similar situations. I have a six year old son and never imagined we would have an only child, but here we are. For years I felt God calling me to homeschool and so we did for kindergarten this past year and it has been the best thing for our family! ❤️
I homeschool my only child, a daughter. she went to public K-5th and I started homeschooling in 6th. she is now in 10th grade. She loves being homeschooled and is vocal about it.
Hi! I have a 6th grader now and she’s doing online school which is not going well. It’s a lot of work and she gets bored. I also have just her and last year she was homeschooled but I also work from home and it’s really tough. I think she likes learning from home though, I just have not found the right learning program for her and I don’t want her on the phone when she’s bored. My concern is her social life. She still talks to her friends from school on and off, sees her cousins on the weekends but that is pretty much. My family are concerned that she is not in school talking to other kids her age. Any advice? May I ask what program you are using with your daughter? Thank you 🙏🏻
Wow! Yes, I'm homeschooling my only child and I'm the only one providing for her. I'm in the same place. It is nice to hear your words. Because, for me being a homeschool mom of an only child it's been a lonely road for 2 years now. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
homeschooling a single child here. so happy to have found your channel. thank you for sharing ❤️
Something probably even more rare than homeschooling an only child is what I'm doing. I have a bachelor's degree, and I'm "homeschooling" myself as a therapeutic exercise to repeat high school on my own terms, since I have a lot of mental trauma there from public school.
So glad I found your channel just added you on Instagram 😊! ❤ Needed to hear this we decided to homeschool this coming new year. Out kiddos are 1yr apart which is a bonus, I relate even more. Thank you for your honesty and wisdom !
Thank you soooo much for sharing! Your right have only child can be so lonely. No one to relate to. Especially where we currently live
Thank you for sharing it. I have one child and it's so true everything you said !
💯 % agree with everything!! Right now we’re struggling with keeping the consistency and routine of everything 🤦♀️
I needed this today. I have a 4 year old daughter, and feel called to homeschool her. She is an only child, as we are dealing with secondary infertility. I want more children and have always envisioned that life for me. The 3-4 kids all doing school around the dining table. I have had a really hard time feeling confident about it because I’m worried about my daughter feeling lonely, not having any friends, etc. etc..This was fantastic and exactly what I needed to feel less alone. ❤ thank you! ❤
I have an 8 year old, we found a church with many homeschoolers, and have been in 3 different co-ops throughout the years. We prioritize play dates and I'm the mom who puts in the most effort, that's been hard, but we have friends and my girl is thriving. We're also very close, I'm so grateful for our extra close friendship.
It's so true. It's hard to find others with only on child especially in homeschooling....yes having an only can be difficult when you are the only person for that child.
I’m with ya!
THANK YOU so much for this!! We pulled our son out of first grade almost 2 months ago, and he is an only child. I relate so much to every point you made in this video.
I think this was a great video. I relate so much to everything you talked about. Honestly, you are the first mom, especially on RUclips I connected with that is homeschooling an only child. Keep it up mama, you got this!
Awe..you’re so sweet! Thank you so much! Maybe we’ll be one of those cool mom friends that get to meet in person one day! ☺️
@@PearlsAndOak yes! That would be so awesome!
As the momma of an only, I appreciate you doing this video. Most families, especially homeschool families, only have one… and our experiences are just different. Our struggles and easy tasks are not the same so it’s hard to relate sometimes to others.
Only two minutes in but I paused to say we are one and done by choice, too. We love our little "triangle" family! 😀 We also fully intend, with God's permission and blessing, to homeschool her all the way. She's only six so we don't worry too much about her "socialization;" we don't force or make it happen for her. She gets to play with a cousin or a neighbor at least once a week. Most of the time, they're the ones who ask to come over. She's happy when they do but she almost never asks to see them. She also plays with kids at church and in her sports class (we sign her up for a different sport/class every season).
On a daily basis, she has us, my husband's parents and the dog to socialize with. She's never lonely.😀 Friends come and go at this age; we know she'll find/choose and nurture her own friendships as she gets older.
Ah…the is almost our exact situation also! So cool!
You spoke on what I was feeling here lately. He keeps me going when I start to get too laxed 😂 love this video thank you!
Thank you for sharing this ❤ I’m homeschooling an only too I get you completely. God bless our only child’s and God help us!!!
I been homeschool my daughter since prek now she is in second grade and is my only child. Thank you for this video.
Thanks for sharing! I homeschool my only daughter and can totally relate.
It’s rare to find other homeschool families with an only child.
That’s very true! I’m glad there’s a few of us on here though ❤️
I'm a homeschool mom of an only child too.💜💓
I am a homeschool mom also with an only child and it is challenging. I am her everything, no one else to play with and I struggle to get her to be independent with schooling and even playing.
Thank you for sharing. Our family is homeschooling an only child as well, and we love it. It‘s been wonderful. ❤
This video is full of love ❤️
I homeschool single child and yes it’s going good
Thank you I feel
The same
Way! Only child family here too!
I homeschool an only child, sort of. Our youngest child is 9 years younger than his closest sibling. My daughter graduated in 2022, so the past 18 months have been very interesting only having one left. We've experienced both the positives and negatives of both. My daughter being 9 years older made it interesting to do any subject family style, but we pulled it off with Bible, Home Ec., Science and History. My son missed her presence so much the first 6-8 months.
I used to have him and I at the same table throughout the entire time of sit down work. But at the beginning of his 4th grade year, we moved him to his own desk. And on top of that, I frequently leave the room to do tasks around the house. I find when I leave music playing in the background for him, he's more comfortable doing his work alone. I take advantage of that by playing various music from the various composers we are studying.
I'm homeschooling an only as well. So far, it's in Gods plan for me to only have one, and I have to be content with that.
What you said resonates with me as well. I have a little one and we are wrapping our first year of homeschooling. I can definitely relate to the blessings and struggles of parenting/homeschooling an only. We do have an active social life with family and friends plus we have her enrolled in an enrichment forest school once per week in addition to music and dance so socializing is not something we worry about but helping her and encouraging towards independent work and play is a challenge and a goal I want to try to incorporate more and more. Thank you for sharing your tips and thoughts!
Congratulations on your first year! It sounds like she has great opportunities to learn from others! She will play by herself, usually after I given a few ideas (art being her favorite), but the schoolwork is where we’re still focusing. Thanks for watching!
Great video! I can definitely relate. I love that you are starting at a young age to build the independent working. This is something that we struggle with as well.
Thank you! It’s encouraging to watch your videos and see that I CAN do this with older grades! The independence can be tough…she’s got it in there, she just needs the confidence that goes with.
I relate in so many ways. I appreciate your video.
I homeschool an only. We just finished our first year. Love this video.
Thank you for sharing. I am soon to be homeschooling one, our middle son is going to a private Christian school. This is new territory for us, since our youngest who’s never been to school and only schooled with his brother, will soon be educated without him.
I'm right there with you! God blessed us with a 2nd child when we thought we couldn't have more...right now I am only homeschooling my 7 year old son so I get it...my son is also very needy for one on one time with me and its so hard but I wouldn't change it for the world ❤
Exactly! It’s a blessing for sure..sometimes, I just need a minute. 😅
@@PearlsAndOak oh I hear ya on that!!! 😉 in your video I was like yyyeeeessss ...lol
I homeschool my only child and he can be a handful sometimes! Thank you for your honesty in this ♥️
And there are even times when I understand the frustration, like wanting someone to play with, and that doesn’t make at any easier. Thank you!!
I have a 4th grader I’m getting ready to hs. It’s gonna be interesting. my child is constantly complaining about being an only child. She has step brothers and sisters that are with her every single weekend and some how she still feels so lonely during the week. She has a best friend and cousins she has sleep overs with. But still. Public school is no longer an option for us. I just hope I can socialize her enough because she clearly wants it
I definitely relate to all of this.
I appreciate this video from you as a mom of a only child who has started our homeschool journey at 3yrs old. As a previous childcare teacher I can say teaching one is much less stressful for sure. Outside of extra curriculum activities do you find it hard to maintain playdates with other children?
Personally, no..but that’s because we joined a co-op this past year. That has truly helped gain and maintain friendships. We do, often, spend time with friends and family that have children around her age.
@@PearlsAndOak Yes I cant wait until we join a co-op that I've found. The co-op starts at the age of 6 but it's been hard maintaining playdates some of her friends are starting preschool.
@@MissKellyofCallKellyDesign I definitely understand that! Mine was 6 when we started co-op and that seems to have been a good age. Prior to, I didn’t stress it too much - I just tried to keep her around friends and family when I could. If you’re able to meet up with friends, even sparingly, I’d say that’s great!
@@PearlsAndOak Yes thank you for the reassuarnce we do have weekly playdates with a friend and we see family. Thank you soo much for your videos.
@@MissKellyofCallKellyDesign Glad I could help! Interaction with anyone at any age, can be beneficial for them (in my experience) so don’t stress with making sure it’s only children of the same age. ❤️