Deciding to homeschool can be very overwhelming. When I began, I knew how to teach in a public-school setting, but I had absolutely no clue how to teach my kids. Whether you are starting with kindergarten, or your kids are older, there are many things that you need to take into consideration before you move forward.
The first thing anyone should do who is even kind of thinking about homeschooling is to find out what the homeschooling guidelines are for your state. Many have virtually no requirements while other are very strict and require documentation. Your state’s department of education is a great place to start. I personally find the legal language a bit too much to digest. That’s why I suggest visiting https://hslda.org/ . This organization offers a lot of free information to help you know your state’s homeschool requirements. They offer letters for you to send to withdraw your child from school. You don’t need to be a member to access many of their resources, but if you need legal advice, you will need to pay the membership feel. Either way, know your state’s homeschooling rules and make sure you follow them.
Another thing to consider is the financial responsibility associated with homeschooling. I believe that homeschooling is a full-time, unpaid job. Therefore, we are a one income family. That is not always possible for some, so you need to figure out a financial plan that works best for your family. In the recent years, I have seen a lot of parents choosing to work from home and are being very successful at it.
You also need to consider what kind of support you will have. I find that it is important for both parents to be one hundred percent on the same page. Having your spouse to bounce ideas off or to just vent will save you a lot of stress. In our home, my husband knows our curriculum, gets involved in various subjects, and is my go-to researcher. He saves me time and offers the exact support I need. It will still be a hard journey but knowing you can count on each other goes a long way in easing the stress. If you are on your own, I highly recommend finding local homeschool groups to join. Most can be found through social media, your church, or through the various activities your kids are involved in.
Space is another important thing to think about. Where will you be teaching your kids? To be honest, you don’t need anything other than a place to sit. I’ve seen elaborate homeschool buildings with state-of-the-art equipment and I’ve seen converted closets used. Kids really don’t need a fancy set up.
Homeschooling can be challenging and there will be times that you will want to give it up. There will be times where you look at that yellow bus with envy. Making an informed decision based on realistic reasons is the key to getting a good start. Talk to other homeschool parents, visit local co-ops, and pray for a clear path. It is an amazing journey like no other. I believe homeschooling is the absolute best option for my kids and I wouldn’t change a thing.
***Please note that choosing your curriculum is such a big and daunting decision that I will have another, separate blog post dedicated for just that.
Comments