| My family has just started our sixth year of | | | | time alone, home schooling will change all that. |
| home schooling. When we hear how other families | | | | 3. Do you have the energy to home school? You'll |
| prepare for the first day of traditional school, | | | | spend more energy home schooling than sending |
| we're reminded that we have made the right | | | | children to school. Besides teaching your children, |
| decision for us. | | | | you'll need to keep involved with home school |
| My children never worry about whether their | | | | activities, opportunities, teaching methods and |
| teacher will like them or not, what the other kids | | | | ideas - not to mention staying current with home |
| will be wearing, or who their friends will be this | | | | schooling legislation. |
| year. | | | | 4. Are you ready for your home to look |
| Home schooling can be a wonderful experience, if | | | | different? A few years ago, we had a realtor |
| it's the right choice for you, and if you are | | | | evaluate our house. One of his comments was, |
| prepared for it. However, I've met a lot of | | | | "You have a lot of... stuff..." He was right. Our |
| parents who start out thinking home schooling will | | | | house is filled with, not only the regular items |
| be great, but are pulling their hair out and ready | | | | you'd find in a busy household, but with our |
| to quit before the first year is over. | | | | current activities, school books, and ongoing |
| Here are five questions to ask yourself, before | | | | science projects. If you like to keep everything |
| you make the decision to home school your own | | | | uncluttered, you may find home schooling hard for |
| children. | | | | this reason. Some people find that having their |
| 1. Are you willing to take sole responsibility for | | | | home school take over their house is much more |
| your child's education? When you homeschool, the | | | | difficult than they expect. |
| parents assume 100% of the responsibility for | | | | 5. How do you handle criticism? When you home |
| their child's education. Even if you engage other | | | | school, you need to be prepared for some |
| resources to help educate your child, it is up to | | | | intense criticism from your family, friends, and |
| you to find those resources, and make sure | | | | society. You can prepare yourself by arming |
| they're meeting your child's needs. | | | | yourself with information and remembering why |
| 2. Is your family ready to be together all day, | | | | you home school. However, if you're someone |
| every day? Increased "togetherness" can be | | | | who like to please others, and others' opinions are |
| draining if you're not prepared for it. Most home | | | | important to you, their criticism of your new |
| schooling families find that home schooling has a | | | | lifestyle could be painful. |
| positive effect on family relationships. Over time, | | | | Before you decide to home school, consider your |
| many parents and children grow to enjoy being | | | | decision carefully from every angle. If home |
| together. However, if you look forward to your | | | | schooling still sounds good to you, it might just be |
| kids going to school each day so you can have | | | | the right decision for your family too. |