As a family who is new to homeschooling, you may be feeling some excitement, some anxiety, some questions and some fear. If you are like me when I first started homeschooling, you are feeling all of those things and more! I have been homeschooling my children for more than 5 years. This is by far the best decision that I have ever made for them and I wouldn't change it for the world! Considering all the things that I have learned over the years has lead me to come up with this list of 3 three must do's for new homeschooling families.
First, Get connected - Have you heard the question (or asked this question yourself) What about socialization? Well, homeschoolers like to stick together! We like to support and encourage each other and we LOVE to pool our talents to provide the best education for our children! Look for a support group or a co-op and join. These groups can be as small as 8-10 families or as large as 100+. The point is, there will be other kids to "socialize" with and other parents to connect with! My children look forward to our "Monday School" with our co-op and they learn many great things that are sometimes, outside of my capabilities to teach them. It's a great thing!
Second, Remember, each day is a new day - You will have bad days. Your kids won't obey, the baby will be teething, you will be in a bad mood.. These things happen. Don't get discouraged. Tomorrow, just pick up where you left off and move forward. Keep putting one foot in front of the other.
Third, you don't need a teaching degree. You can learn alongside with your kids. In preparing your weekly schedule you will know ahead of time what they will be learning. Each teacher's guide gives you not only the answers, but tells you how to teach the information. As an added bonus, you will be stimulating your brain and refreshing your mind of what you learned in school.
Each moment of homeschooling my children has not been a bed of roses. There have been hard times and there have been some really great times. I am very thankful for the decision that my husband and I made. My relationship with my children is closer than ever. I am in tuned with what they are learning, who their friendsa person with whom one has a bond of mutual affection, typically one exclusive of sexual or family relations. Used in polite address to an acquaintance or stranger are and their likes and dislikes. That helps me to have a close relationship with them. Even my teenage son! If I was sending him to school each day that would never have been the case! This is not an exhaustive list of all of the things you must do, but 3 of the things I think are the most important. I wish you the very best of luck. Be confident. You are making the best decision for your family and your kids. Best of luck!
Mariah Buck is a full time homeschooling mom. When she is not teaching her kids she helps her husband with their Dry Cleaning Routes Business. Which helps people Starting a Dry Cleaning Business or grow an existing business.