Is Homeschooling Right for my Family?.

This is a good question to ask, especially with the emphasis on "family," because

homeschooling can impact a family's life in so many ways.

The financial impact can be a major factor when it means one parent giving up a job and income. After all, with most mothers (and fathers) working outside the home, the public school system also serves as childcare.

Most who homeschool are mothers in two parent families, where the couple has decided that it's in the child's best interests to do without the extra income in order to homeschool their children. However, more and more parents are finding ways to work at home, making homeschooling a very possible reality for families that require two incomes and for single parents.

A parent who does work at home and wants to homeschool must still ask the question, "Is homeschooling right for my family?" because achieving a balance between a home business or telecommuting job and child rearing and schooling can be challenging.

However, for many homeschooling families, the rewards far exceed the stresses. Also, the stresses can be eased with a good support team, such as a local homeschooling group where parents may form a teaching and/or childcare coop of sorts. Others have help from grandparents or older siblings. Some may just need short breaks and find that time when the child is at a supervised activity outside the home (many homeschooled children are involved in outside activities such as special interest classes and clubs).

Still other families find that balance of work and homeschooling through running a family business where children can take part, such as one family who ran a board game store where their kids had lots of fun playing the sample games with other kids as well as helping out at the register and with stock.

When asking yourself if homeschooling is right for your family, do keep in mind that your business may not be of interest to your child. The key is finding a balance that allows your homeschooled child to thrive in a loving and accepting home while reaching his or her intellectual potential and having his or her social, emotional and spiritual needs met.

Sometimes out of determination to homeschool, parents will change their own career course and find that they are much happier too.

Another important area to look at when considering if homeschooling is right for your family will be the reasons you want to homeschool and how your child feels about it. For example, if your 7th grader is doing fine in school and enjoying school, then it's probably best not to force homeschooling. However if your child is open to homeschooling (and if the child understands that homeschooling doesn't mean being cut off from friends), and you want to homeschool, then it’s probably going to be a positive experience.

Getting Started with Homeschooling

Congratulations on choosing to homeschool! You are embarking on a wonderful adventure.

Getting started with homeschooling brings a great feeling of liberation to parents and children and is an exciting time. Of course there will also be some bumps in the road as everyone adjusts. Here are some suggestions to help pave the road, making your entry into the world of homeschooling a smoother ride.

One of the first things to do is to consider your homeschooling goals. For example, do you want to include Bible studies in the basic lessons of reading, writing and arithmetic? Or, are you choosing to homeschool because you have a child who is simply not challenged intellectually by the system? Perhaps you love the idea of the more natural and holistic approach to education and child rearing known as unschooling.

It may help to journal a bit about your homeschooling goals. Writing is a wonderful way to clarify thoughts, and your homeschooling journal entries such as this will be good to read down the road.

Once you are clear about your homeschooling goals, the next step is to check with the legal issues surrounding homeschooling in your state or country. Some states have none or very few restrictions regarding homeschooling, while others have far more homeschooling laws you have to be aware of. It is a good time to connect with a local or state-wide homeschooling group, these groups will give you valuable advice. Veteran members may be able to help you figure out how to both achieve the homeschooling experience you want while jumping through any necessary hoops.

Many homeschoolers feel very strongly about their constitutional right to homeschool without interference and can show you how they have managed. Some simply ignore restrictions and don't register their children at all; however they are taking the risk of legal problems, even jail time and CPS involvement. If there is any concern, do seek legal counsel. You don't want to cross any lines that could result in being separated from your children.

Many states have pretty easy to follow guidelines. If the other parent's job or yours (if you are a single parent homeschooler) allows for relocation, do an Internet search for homeschool laws by state or country, and then take it form there. The Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) http://www.hslda.org/laws/ is one of the Websites that lists the state laws. This fundamental Christian based homeschool organization is somewhat controversial among homeschoolers for some of the state laws that have come to pass as a result of their litigation; however, no matter your religious beliefs, you can find helpful legal information on their site. Once you've narrowed your search down to some specific places, check their department of education's Websites and make phone calls, making sure the information you collected is up to date. If seriously considering relocating, I would also join online homeschool groups that serve homescoolers in those areas just to get their take, and then of course research the neighborhoods (and job situations) you are considering; making sure it is a good move for your family.

The rest of the process of getting started with homeschooling will fall into place fairly easily once you've accomplished these first two steps. You can then work on curriculum that supports your homeschooling philosophy and your children's' individual learning styles, strengths and interests. Some homeschooling parents write their own curriculum but many find curriculum packages that suit their needs.

Joining a local homeschooling group will provide you with a support system and a way for you and your family to get together with other homeschooling families on outings and such. One more thing you may want to do while getting started with homeschooling – celebrate you and your family's newfound freedom! 

If you are looking for crafts to do with your homeschooler you can have a look at: No Sew Fleece Crafts