Mimi Rothschild - Home School Support & Home Education News

By Mimi Rothschild

Most homeschool families are able to finish their schooling in just a few hours in the morning. By cutting out unnecessary study halls, lunch periods, activities, and games, homeschool children are usually done with their work hours before their public school peers.

But what should be done with all this extra time? Here are a few options:

Part-time job: My son works as a cashier throughout the school week. This not only provides him with some extra spending money, but he will have a few thousand dollars saved up to cut down on college tuition debt. The responsibility that is cultivated by holding down a part-time job will be useful during the transition into adulthood.

Apprenticeship: Does your child already have a specific career interest? Ask around to see if any friends or area companies would be willing to take on unpaid help. A friend of my daughter’s is currently working in a local library, gaining invaluable experience that will jumpstart her career dreams of becoming a librarian. If your child is interested in history, see if there are any museums nearby that are looking for volunteers during busy months. Even if they are tasked with mopping floors, this experience looks great on a resume.

Volunteer: The extra time granted by homeschooling provides children with the unforgettable and enriching opportunity to volunteer for an area ministry or charity organization. One of my children volunteers at a local drug and alcohol addiction rehabilitation center. My friend’s son works for a hospice center, spending time with the sick and elderly.

College Courses: If you have a particularly ambitious scholar in the house, enrolling in either community college or university courses can be a cost-effective way to enhance your child’s learning experience. Not only will your child learn more in high school, he or she will spend less time and money at college by knocking off a few required courses.

Whatever you do, don’t let your children spend their extra time loafing around with TV and cell phone conversations. There is a wealth of opportunity out there for high school homeschoolers, but you must motivate your students to go out there and grab it. You will appreciate the enrichment your children receive, and they will appreciate the benefits from having a well-rounded resume.