...going to start homeschooling.? I am going to start homeschooling my daughter next year. I have chosen a curriculum, and I am working on getting everything together. I would like to know from those who have done this before, what is the most important piece of advice you can give me? For all of you guys opposed to homeschooling, don't bother answering. I am doing this for medical reasons. Socialization isn't an issue. She is very social and has tons of friends. She is involved in a sport all year and will continue with music lessons. But now she won't miss 20 days+ b/c of doctor's visits and feeling bad. Did I mention that I was an elementary school teacher also, so qualifications aren't an issue either. I am a child care provider now, so that I can be at home with my children more.

Don't lose sight of yourself, you are an independent person, remember to do things for YOURSELF. Your daughter will be happier if Mom is content.

My one piece of advice would be not to rush into choosing curriculum...so I hope you didn't rush. (smile) Since it's too late for that advice, I'll give you another: RELAX and enjoy. I don't agree with everything about the unschooling style of homeschool, but I agree with the idea that children love to learn. They start public school with that love, but soon it becomes a chore instead of a joy. Homeschooling can keep that love of learning alive by letting children learn in their own style and speed.

Don't forget to love your kids. (It's possible to get so caught up in goal setting and goal reaching that forget to cherish the victories and cuddle and chat and support each other like you should.) Remember that the love you share is one of the most important lessons your child will ever learn.

My advice is give yourself a break,and don't be too hard on yourself. It may take a little while for you and your daughter to find what works for both of you. Since you are coming out of regular school don't worry about getting started at the same time every day. Don't worry about emulating the public school day. Kids don't have to have a book in front of them to be learning. On really nice days you can put the books side and go for a picnic and walk. Observe the things around you. Talk about what you are seeing, go home and look up the plants,bugs, etc. you saw.Take Care and Good Luck!

Take it slow, make adjustments as often as needed to make a workable schedule, to accommodate the other activities as well.If you think you are starting to run behind academically; remember you are no longer tied to the school schedule; if you like to do some work on the weekends, or evenings, and go year round, you can.When there is a day that does not seem to work, and you'd rather just take a break, go for a walk, or just lay around and talk do so.Most important, do not bring the school method/model home.Home schooling is about family, and individualized learning, nothing standard about it.

Hi,I started homeschooling my daughter this year. Now that the year is almost over, I have learned a lot. First, most curriculum is designed for a classroom and not for an individual. We both got very bored with it. I quickly learned that not sticking to the curriculum was not a crime and that she actually learned much more when I let her lead where she wanted to go. For instance, when we got bored, we would just pack up and go to the library. I would let her read anything she wanted to and she would spend hours reading about everything from animals to the French revolution (she's 9) and even science experiments. She wrote reports on some things that really fascinated her. She 'taught' me what she had learned (reinforced learning) and I would help her to think about things in different ways by discussing things she had read.I experimented quite a bit with 'teaching' and allowing more and more freedom. Hands down, the freedom won every time. She always got more out of leading herself. Even in math, when we played games, or ploted coordinates on a map, or did math puzzles, she would really learn (as opposed to just memorizing something that would be forgotten soon). Some days we sit in the back yard and try to identify the different kinds of birds that visit our yard. Some days we wonder through local museums, some days she wants to build mud huts for her dolls in the yard or plant in her garden or watch a video about the ocean or bake cookies. All of which are amazing learning opportunities that we would never have time for if we followed all of the curriculum.Good luck with homeschooling. It's been a wonderful experience so far for me and my daughter. We have grown closer and more connected than ever. My son who is in high school has decided he wants to home school next year as well.

don't be discouraged by the negative feedback you get from others. Stand your ground. don't let all the people who are ignorant to this method, preach to you about how kids need to socailize and be with other kids.Remember, we don't send our kids to school to socialize... we send them there to learn.Also, stand strong with your school district. don't let them intimidate or strong arm you. They have a responsibility to your children whether they are in the physical, traditional school building or at your home.

Be patient, set goals, but remember that things happen and one of the great things about homeschooling is that it is flexible. Enjoy the time with your daughter. Good luck and I will pray for your daughters health.

I always give the book "A Charlotte Mason Companion" to friends considering/ starting homeschooling. See if your library has it or can inter lib. loan it. It was the BEST thing I ever read to get be started!!!































www.charlottemason.com