Home Schooling...What's it about...How to get started

"Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it."

Proverbs 22:6

many people over the years have asked me why I home school. I would love if there was a really short , easy answer but there isn't.

So here is the shortened version....

The Lord led me to home schooling before I knew Him personally. I didn't like what I was seeing in the school system. I didn't like what was being taught, I also didn't like how it was being taught.

I know what you're thinking..."Then get involved and change it."...I did get involved...I joined the PTA..I even ran for the school board and was elected. It was an amazing time. I was able to read even more of the curriculums and political agendas that our children were being taught. It depressed me and I soon realized that there wasn't much I could change. There was very little I could do. I also realized that all the others on the board were there for future politcal gain...I couldn't be bothered.

I resigned and decided to look into home schooling. I was really nervous about the idea, but I decided to give it a try because I couldn't do worse then the school system was doing.

I picked a curriculum and I started. It was hard the first few months. My two children were 6 & 5 at the time and I realized how undisciplined they were. So it took a few weeks to get them to listen and obey me as their teacher. After that , we had alot of fun. I also made many mistakes.

Instead of enjoying them and concentrating on their character, I really concentrated on their accademics. So they worked hard and the Lord's Grace was all over us.

I get to do it all over again with the arrival our newest blessing, (Due 8/25/08) and this time i'm going to have more fun and focus more on character.

What's it about?

For me , homeschooling is about spending time with my children. Being available to them, experiencing all the excitement of learning together. Basically...Life Together. Everything you do is learning. Cooking, shopping, always an opportunity to teach with many unexpected teachable moments that we are blessed with.

I would've missed so many fun times had I sent them off on a bus every day. I would've missed being able to mentor them during trials and hard times. Mentoring is how you would describe the lifestyle.

How To Get Started?

First things first...Make sure you and your spouse are on the same page. This is something that should bring the family together, not tear them apart because one disagrees. Keep your husband involved with the curriculum choices...remember...dad is also the principal. Pray together about this decision.

Check with the HSLDA (I have their link in my "links") for your states laws. They are very helpful and I always recommend that homeschoolers join.

You can research different curriculums at local conventions or talk to local homeschoolers in your area. There are usually different groups for each state. the HSLDA will also be able to help you find the groups in your area.

You can also run a search on the internet. There are many homeschooling curriculums. You really need to decide which type works best for you. What I mean by "type"...

Charlotte Mason - literature based, hands-on type of curriculum

Work book - these are usually the easiest for new homeschoolers

Text book- These are also easy,but require more lesson planning.

many of these curriculums have satalite programs , you may want to look into those.

Needless to say..the choices are endless..if I were to compile a list..it would be endless. Maybe I'll compile a list with links to their websites. That will talk a long time to do...more to come on that one.

I'm actually going to a large home schooling convention on Mother's day weekend. http://convention.chaponline.com/

There is also an online convention: http://www.ultimatehomeschoolexpo.com/UHSE2008.html

This is great for those who want to learn but don't want to spend an entire weekend at a convention.

Once you decide which curriculum to use...you can get started!!

Have fun and expect for many curve balls in your first days. Expect to work on some discipline issues. Instead of getting frustrated, remember that had you not homeschooled these issues wouldn've only gotten worse as time wore on.

As for me, my daugher is done and will be attending our local college this August/08. She tested so high she is being put in their honors program. This year coming up is my last year with my son. He'll also be going to college after. I'm sad that i'm going to be finishing up with them, but i'm also looking forward to homeschooling my new baby and any more that the Lord blesses me with.

Any Questions?? Just ask.

God Bless,