Saturday, August 30, 2008

How to Know if Homeschooling is Right for Our Family

By Isabel Allen


The choice to homeschool should not be made easily. You will need to research and discuss to make a wise decision even though homeschooling is legal in every state. There are a few questions to ask yourself when considering if homeschooling is right, or an option for your family.

Am I comfortable spending all of my time with my children? One of the main reasons that people homeschool is because they love their children and want what's best for them. They also genuinely like spending time with their children, which is good since you'll be spending all of your time with them. If your children frustrate you easily, homeschooling might not be a good match for you.

Will questions about homeschooling bother me? Homeschoolers are asked a lot of questions. These questions could be anything from what curriculum they're using or about what socialization skills they are using. When homeschooling, it would help if you do not mind being asked the same questions more than once.

To find out about homeschooling, you can check out books from your public library. Everything you need to know about the topic is more than likely to be found in a large selection of books. Since most homeschoolers rely on the library for learning, and source materials, you may even ask the librarian if there are homeschoolers in the area.

After reading some books, finding local homeschoolers, or doing an internet search for "homeschool groups (your city)" or "homeschool groups (your state)," you will know if there is a support system available. Do not give up because there are homeschooling co-ops available in many placces, as well as opportunities for families to get together and have fun.

If you have other questions, and you have found families that already homeschool, you may consider asking them about the pros and cons of homeschooling. Most families will be more than happy to help you make a decision, as well as being honest about their reasons. You can ask them about the hardships they had to deal with when starting out, about the curriculum, socialization, and ask if they have any suggestions about what tp use or not to use.

What curriculum to choose? There are many choices - often in the price, and in the choices available. While it is possible to have "school at home" without using a set curriculum, it is also possible to homeschool by choosing books that are offered in most public schools. Library books should give you an idea about what your child should be learning in each grade, and should explain all the various methods.

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