| Many parents put a great deal of effort into | | | | and everybody misses out as a result. Why not |
| selecting the right school for their | | | | try doing things slightly differently. |
| children, and often make considerable | | | | |
| sacrifices to save enough money to send their | | | | First, you can start by getting the kids to |
| children to a good college, because there is | | | | help you to prepare supper instead of sitting |
| no doubt that providing a good education for | | | | glued to a mindless box. Sending your kids |
| a child is one of the best ways of ensuring a | | | | out into the world knowing how to make toast |
| successful career and a secure and happy | | | | and not a lot else isn't much help but |
| adult life. However, in many cases this focus | | | | getting them interested in cooking will |
| on school and college results in parents | | | | provide them with a much needed life skill. |
| neglecting another very important element of | | | | |
| a child's education - that of teaching | | | | Second, it gives both you and the kids an |
| children at home. | | | | opportunity to talk - something which is |
| | | | missing in far too many households. Letting |
| Day to day family life presents parents with | | | | your kids share their successes and failures |
| dozens of opportunities to teach children | | | | at school, simply listening to what's on |
| things that they will find not only | | | | their mind and letting them ask you about |
| interesting but also helpful as the grow up | | | | your own experiences and seek your advice is |
| and, despite the fact that in many households | | | | invaluable for both parent and kids. What's |
| both parents are busy people with careers of | | | | more you'll be surprised how many problems |
| their own, it's surprising just how easy it | | | | you can avoid simply by knowing what your |
| is to make the time needed for your children | | | | kids are doing, what they're thinking and how |
| if you spend just a little bit of time | | | | they're feeling. |
| organizing your daily schedule. | | | | |
| | | | Thirdly, it's a great way to relax! |
| Teaching your children at home doesn't mean | | | | Relaxation after a long day at work doesn't |
| sitting down with them in a formal | | | | mean flopping down on the couch for an hour |
| 'school-like' setting but simply means | | | | or two, it simply means a change of scene. |
| thinking about everyday activities and using | | | | Putting your working day behind you and |
| these to provide the teaching materials you | | | | enjoying the company of your kids is one of |
| need. Teaching children at home doesn't have | | | | the best ways to unwind after a long and |
| to be boring either and can be a great deal | | | | stressful day at work. |
| of fun for both parents and children. | | | | |
| | | | There are literally hundreds of examples of |
| One of the secrets lies in stopping to think | | | | things that we do every day at home that can |
| about what you're doing and to what extent | | | | be turned into valuable teaching lessons, |
| your children understand your activity. For | | | | helping our children to grow and develop and |
| example, how many times have you rushed home | | | | allowing everyone to have fun at the same |
| from work to get in ahead of your kids from | | | | time. |
| school and then sat them down in front of the | | | | |
| television while you prepare supper? What are | | | | Education is not just for the educators and |
| the thought processes going through your | | | | there is considerable value for everybody |
| mind? You've had a hard day and all you want | | | | concerned in teaching children at home. |
| to do is sit down and relax but first you've | | | | |
| got to feed the kids, so you get them out | | | | covers a wide range of topics and provides |
| from underfoot so that you can get on | | | | advice on child parenting, tips on only child |
| quickly, get them fed and then finally relax. | | | | parenting, parenting teenagers, step |
| | | | parenting, and divorced parenting. |
| Many thousands of parents do this every day | | | | |