Being a Home Schooling Parent: An Insider's Look

Home schooling is sweeping the United States and abroad. According to the National Center for Education Statistics for 2004, 2 million children are being home schooled in the United States alone! You are maybe asking yourself what is home schooling? Or more importantly what does it take to be a home school parent? Home schooling is simply educating your child or children at home with you, the parent, as the educator. You do not receive federal funds and your child or children are not enrolled in a public or private school. A home school parent by definition is a parent that has taken on the task of educating their child or children at home and I want to discuss the three most important things any parent should know and the ten things any parent should consider before taking on the task of home schooling their children. I have been a home school parent for four years and with each year our home school has had its ups and downs and I have learned a lot about myself and my children. The most important thing that I have learned is to trust God in this awesome task of educating and raising my children to be all that God wants them to be! The second most important thing for a home school parent to learn is that God created our children to be a one of a kind creation, with distinct personalities and traits. I am so thankful that everyone is different with different interests. What a boring world this would be if everyone was the same! Your children are no different, learn to appreciate their uniqueness. What works for one does not always work for another, be flexible. The sooner you learn that the easier your home schooling experience will be. The third most important thing I have learned is to teach my children to respect and appreciate their siblings and other people's interests and talents. For example, my middle daughter loves to write and has many wonderful stories she loves to tell and write about, but my oldest daughter, who has a passion for math and science, does not even like to write much less think of a topic or a story to write about, so she will ask her 6 ½ year old sister for some ideas to get her started and likewise if my middle daughter has a problem with her math she will ask my oldest daughter for help, so they are learning to appreciate each other. Believe me, when you and your children learn this important principle your home school experience will go smoother. I hope that these three important principles have not scared you from trying home schooling with your own children. It is truly a wonderful experience in being a parent. If you are considering home schooling here are some things for you to consider: 1. It takes time to teach, prepare lessons, field trips, park days, soccer league, etc.

2.Every home school parent needs to take time out. If you don't you will be with your child 24/7 and that will lead to burnout.

3.You can home school rather inexpensively, but some curriculums or extra curricular activities can add up.

4.You, the parent, are responsible for seeing that your child socializes with friends at different events that your local home school support group set up or finding different socialization opportunities in your community.

5.The regular cleaning and laundry still have to be done and you might find yourself rearranging your cleaning schedule around school time.

6.Home schooling works better if both parents are in agreement.

7. Do your children respect you? Only you can answer that. If they don't respect you they will not listen to you.

8. Home school for one year at a time. Don't look to far ahead, you will get overwhelmed.

9.Are you intimidated about teaching?-Many curriculums offer teacher's guides and DVD's to assist you and you will find that other parents will help you if they have been through the subject before.

10.Make sure you get involved in a local home school support group. Some areas have more than one. It is encouraging to know that you are not alone and your support group will help and encourage you when you are experiencing a hard time.

Making the decision to home school can be a very difficult one and should not be taken lightly. It is a personal decision and no one can make it for you, but I hope that you will take into consideration some of the things that I have mentioned.

Home schooling takes courage and it can be a long journey but there is joy in the journey! Happy Home schooling!!!