| Homeschooling families are increasing in number | | | | - your neighbors and surrounding businesses. |
| and the reasons that lead families into | | | | Consider adopting a local business and letting your |
| homeschooling vary. But several things remain | | | | children serve by maintaining their grounds, |
| true. When you have decided to homeschool, | | | | supporting their company, or finding ways to |
| there are a few things to keep in mind and | | | | serve them. It's an unusual gift that |
| periodically consider when you take on this role | | | | homeschoolers can offer, and it creates long-term |
| for your children. If you are just getting started, | | | | relationships in the community. |
| you might want to read a related article, "Six | | | | 3. Are you getting counsel for those subject |
| Things You Need To Start Homeschooling," but | | | | areas that need extra help or accountability, and |
| for the veteran, it's always good to reassess | | | | are you staying on track for graduation goals? |
| your role from time to time. Some of these | | | | Often the answers to these questions can be |
| things to consider are for your kids, and some of | | | | easily solved by getting the appropriate outside |
| them are for you, but frequently consider the | | | | counsel on your homeschool program from time |
| following factors when homeschooling your | | | | to time. That may mean a homeschool coach or |
| children. | | | | it might mean making sure that you spend time |
| | | | with homeschoolers you know who have been |
| 1. Are you focusing on core academic subjects so | | | | successful getting their homeschool children |
| that your children are growing in knowledge and | | | | through high school and into college. Whichever |
| readiness to perform at the next level? Be sure | | | | route you choose, get outside counsel and |
| that you don't get "lost" in the wealth of options | | | | evaluation on your homeschooling program on a |
| available to homeschool families for supplemental | | | | regular basis. |
| courses or activities. Outside agencies, whether | | | | 4. And finally, for the primary educator in the |
| higher level schools or standardized testing | | | | homeschool, are you getting some free time of |
| services are able to validate your homeschool | | | | your own, away from the role of educator? You |
| program in the areas of math, sciences, language | | | | will find that it is hard not to think of the next |
| arts, etc. Focus on these core subject areas | | | | project, assignment, upcoming lesson, etc. and |
| when you homeschool, before you add in the | | | | that your mind tends to be on "school" all the |
| extras, and keep track of how your children are | | | | time as a homeschool mom or dad. Be sure that |
| scoring on these types of outside validation tests. | | | | you are getting some free time to clear your |
| You should be seeing steady, upward growth. | | | | head and some time to refresh your spirit. |
| 2. Are you looking for ways to keep your children | | | | Consider the old adage that you can only freely |
| engaged and participating in the community | | | | give away what you have stored up. If you are |
| around them? Homeschool families have an | | | | "spent" and fatigued due to lack of rest, you will |
| incredible opportunity to get out into their | | | | have nothing left to give! |
| communities and learn the value of citizenship in a | | | | Homeschooling is a great honor and privilege. |
| unique way. When the school day is over or even | | | | Consider frequently how you are doing, and what, |
| worked into the school day through unit studies | | | | if anything needs to be adjusted along the way to |
| and projects, allow your children to represent | | | | keep your children thriving in knowledge, on solid |
| themselves, and homeschooling, to those who can | | | | footing academically, and your homeschool |
| most benefit from seeing the positives first hand | | | | program robust, healthy, and successful! |