When new families start out homeschooling, they typically look for a curriculum that is just like the school system. It’s familiar to them and gives them the confidence to get started. Soon enough the trouble starts.

• It’s stressful to keep up with the demands of the slave master.
• The kids get bored or rebellious.
• There’s often discord and drama in the family and the mom feels like she’s failing.

Then they start looking for alternatives. Then they start to break free.

In our family for the past 20 plus years, like many other families, we’ve used our own mix-and-match approach to education. Instead of allowing a curriculum service provider to dictate what our children learn and when, we go on our own learning journey, discovering our children’s unique talents and interests. We view curriculum products from various sources as TOOLS to help them learn.

Here are recommendations for various age-levels:

• Grade 1-3
• Grades 4-7
• Grades 8-9

Usually, children can master the basics like reading, writing and arithmetic by about age 12 and in their teen years, they take ownership of their own education.

As one Afrikaans dad said, “Ek maak grootmense groot.” (which translated means, I am raising adults, not children.)

But what about finishing high school?

It might surprise you, but I think that school exit exams should be optional…like a driver’s license. If you want one and need it, you prepare for the test, but if you have other ways to get where you want to go in life, then you do that and there should be no stigma.

However, society is programmed differently. The world demands certification for further study and even for entry-level jobs.

This is where the GED fits into the learning journey. It’s recognized as an alternative to a grade 12 qualification in our country and abroad. Yet it doesn’t put you back in the schooling box.

It’s a great solution for people who value an unconventional education. It’s a good choice for you –

• If you recognize that children are not all the same and should get a customized education
• if you want your child to have time to develop other skills and talents and have other experiences too
• If you know that school didn’t work for your child and you need something different
• If you know that success in life does not depend only on academic achievement
• If you know that a test only tests what it tests, it’s not a reflection of your worth
• If you have the courage to go your own way and not follow the crowds
• if you value your child’s purpose more than academic prestige
• if you have the confidence to trust your instincts

You can give your children a customized education all the way to age 16. If they have reached about grade 10 level by then, they will easily cope with the online GED study programme to prepare for the GED tests. Students must be age 17 or older to write the GED. That is the only requirement.

Online self-study programme for teens

At Go Prep, (my other website) we offer a self-paced programme that helps students to develop the skills that they need to prepare for the GED. Unlike traditional school exams, the GED does not test memorization of facts, but rather it tests SKILLS in only 4 subjects– skills that are required for success in the 21^st century workplace. Skills like the ability to read with comprehension, to think critically and analyse what you read, the ability to compare, categorise, hypothesise and synthesise information etc.

You can book exams all year round as they are written on computer at over 40 test centres around the country. This means that you can book each exam when you feel ready to write the test. There are no set exam dates. No deadlines. No pressure.

This flexibility as well as the low cost of the GED compared to other options is why it is growing in popularity among homeschoolers.

What about studying further? University?

If a student completes the GED at age 17, in his or her 18^th year they can enroll at a college or university and take a one-year higher certificate course in any career path of their choice, while their age mates are still finishing school. Once they have this, they are eligible to apply for exemption to study a degree course at a South African university. Many students also study at online overseas universities with a GED alone or take the SAT tests to earn admission to overseas universities. Read more about University with a GED.

The GED is a great way for a young person to end their high school education. It sends a message to the world that they are not dropouts and it opens doors to further studies and adventures in the safari of life.

So, let me encourage you: You won’t fail your children if you give them a customized education. Jail or journey?  Get out of jail. Join the learning safari.