Questions about Homeschooling and Parenting Schedules in Illinois

 Posted on June 21, 2024 in Family Law

In recent years, families have increasingly chosen to educate their children through homeschooling. Since parents in the state of Illinois are not required to register to homeschool, it is difficult to know exactly how many children are taught at home rather than in schools but some estimates put the number in the tens of thousands.

Homeschooling is an excellent solution for some children and an awful scenario for others. Additionally, some parents are very well-suited to teaching their children while others are not. It is no wonder that the decision to homeschool a child can be a very difficult one to make, particularly after a divorce. Often, parents who want to homeschool have very strong beliefs about large topics like education, social interactions, religion, and more. If divorced parents disagree about these larger topics, it is reasonable that they might disagree on whether or not homeschooling is the best choice for their child. What happens when the court has divided up your parental responsibilities, and you need to make this decision together? If you and your ex are having a hard time deciding where your child should go to school, speak with a qualified Wheaton, IL family law attorney to understand more.

Parental Responsibilities and Homeschooling

When a parenting schedule is created by parents who were never married or parents who got a divorce, they need to draft an agreement with the court’s approval for how their parental responsibilities will be divided. This means they need to decide when each parent is allowed to make important decisions that affect the child’s life.

One of the important categories of these decisions refers to the child’s education. Sometimes, parents are given shared decision-making responsibilities, and if they disagree about the best path for their child, it can be the root of a bitter conflict. For example, one parent might believe that homeschooling is the most appropriate option for their child while the other might feel passionately opposed. If that happens, there are some options for helping resolve it:

• In some cases, a mediator can help unmarried parents make this decision together, either by reaching a compromise or finding some other solution that addresses both parents’ concerns.
• If that does not work, the court might need to make this decision for the parents. Whenever the court is called on to do so, a main consideration is whatever is deemed in the child’s best interests.

It is good to keep in mind that however skilled and well-intentioned a mediator or judge might be, they can never fully take on the role of parent and might not completely internalize the cultural, religious, educational, or other considerations a parent has when considering what is in the child’s best interest. Whenever possible, it is preferable for the parents to reach agreements on their own, but if that fails, there are systems in place to help.

Schedule a Free Consultation with a DuPage County, IL Parental Responsibilities Attorney

If you and your child’s other parent are having a hard time agreeing about whether homeschooling is the best option, speak with an experienced Glen Ellyn, IL parental responsibilities lawyer. At NN Legal Group, we strive to help our clients get the best outcomes possible for their families. We can offer our services in English as well as Spanish. Call us at 630-474-0925 to schedule a free consultation.