| You have decided homeschooling is for you. | | | | Will the ability to quickly memorize some related |
| You've registered with the proper authorities. | | | | facts be useful? Possibly. What about the ability to |
| You've collected the learning materials you need. | | | | focus on a task and stick with it until it is done? |
| You know what subjects you want to teach your | | | | Definitely. As another example, in math, the ability |
| kids and you've bought a curriculum to tell you | | | | to manipulate equations is handy, if you want to |
| exactly what they should know. Beginning | | | | do more math. However, the ability to clearly lay |
| homeschooling is an exciting time, but, before you | | | | out a complex problem and systematically work |
| start it will pay to give some thought to what | | | | out a solution is invaluable, and that is where the |
| you are really trying to do by educating your kids | | | | real value of the lesson lies. Keeping the end in |
| at home. Remember, at the end of all your | | | | mind keeps your focus on the really important |
| efforts, a young adult is going to "graduate" from | | | | lessons to be learned. |
| your homeschool. How can you best help this | | | | In the end, your child's success as an adult will |
| young adult prepare to meet the world? Your | | | | have very little to do with subjects and curriculum |
| answer to this question will influence everything | | | | and everything to do with character, social skills, |
| you do in your homeschooling adventure. | | | | and the ability to think and communicate clearly. |
| Think about the kinds of skills and knowledge that | | | | Focusing on the important truths and skills frees |
| will help your child thrive as an adult. Asking | | | | you from worrying too much about the particular |
| permission to use the washroom and being able | | | | facts your child is learning. Instead of worrying |
| to name all the state capitals are probably not | | | | that your child isn't learning the parts of a flower, |
| very high on the list. Even getting an "A" in | | | | you can celebrate the fact that they have the |
| calculus doesn't guarantee they will be caring, | | | | patience to really look at the flower, the curiosity |
| competent adults, able to make healthy decisions | | | | to ask their own questions about the flower, and |
| for themselves and their loved ones. Keeping | | | | the commitment to persist until they find the |
| these bigger goals in mind will change the focus of | | | | answers. Lessons learned at school help children |
| your lessons. Here is an example from | | | | thrive in school. Lessons learned at home help |
| Geography; learning the State capitals. Will your | | | | adults thrive in life. |
| adult child need to know all those cities? Not likely. | | | | |