What is the most important advice you would give about homeschooling?

Question

From those experienced homeschoolers, what is something you've learned about the lifestyle that you would like pass on to others?

Answer 1

I would have said "be flexible" but someone already expressed that sentiment...

So, I will add, Get Involved.  Get yourself and your child(ren) involved with your local homeschool support group, join clubs, go to dances, do community service.  

If something is not available in your area, create the opportunity yourself.

*** UPDATE:

I'm glad you used the word "lifestyle" because it really is more than just a way of teaching and learning... it is a lifestyle.

Answer 2

A great advantage in homeschooling is that text books are usually not needed ( with some exceptions, most people use math textbooks). We find lots of interesting books at the library for what we are studying, it makes it a lot more interesting, and fun!

Answer 3

The biggest caution I can give you as an ex 3rd & 4th grade teacher is::::::::be as scheduled as any school would be and don't make excuses for poor work from your child.  Those were the two biggest things that caused homeschooled kids to be behind public school in education.  I saw the majority of homeschooled kids that came into the private school I taught at testing as far as 2 years behind other kids their age.  It had nothing to do with the child's ability--their parents were lax about schedules at home, did not monitor the child's output carefully and accepted below capability level work rather than making the child do it correctly.  They did other things all around the home while school was going on and sent the signal to the kids that the business of the day was NOT school.  You have to be 3 times as hard on yourself as a teacher in the home as you would ever be on your child.  When they know that YOU are VERY serious about their education, they will be too.  It can be done completely successfully if you hold your own self to the mark.

Answer 4

Be flexible.  Do your research, make your plan, but realize that there will be bumps in the road and be willing to work with them.

Each child is different, and each family is different.  The point of homeschooling is to design an education that is right for that child, for that family, that will prepare them for their future.  However, kids don't come with manuals...and their needs change over time.  It is important to be willing to change gears (or curriculums, or lesson plans, or schedules) when the need arises - it really is ok to do so :-)

I wish someone had told me this when we first started - it would have meant much less stress on my part and fewer tears on my child's part that first year!  I wouldn't trade homeschooling my son for anything though...when I see the growth, the love for learning, and the enthusiasm in his eyes, every minute is worth it.

Answer 5

be a self starter

Answer 6

Relax. Make it fun. Know when to just be Mom or Dad and enjoy each others company. Be a family primarily, let learning fit into that mold. Don't structure family around school.

Answer 7

I have home schooled my son since kindergarten and he is now in second grade. The best advice I can give is set up routines and follow them. You can go to FlyLady.net and get some great journals to help you get organized even a student control journal. I gave my son a calendar for his extra activities and he is 7. I also have his no school days marked and try to have him have the same holidays as the school. Best of luck.

Answer 8

Make sure you are enjoying it. If you're not enjoying it most of the time (we all have our days where we'd like to throw in the towel), then it's a clue that something's wrong somewhere: the approach, your expectations, your needs, the kids' needs, something. When things get frustrating for more than a few days around here, I know it's time for me to sit down and chat with the kids about what they would like, what their vision is, share with them what I would like and work out a reasonable plan together.

Also, put your relationship with your children above the academics. I've seen homeschooling families give up because they were so focused on the academics, they neglected to take care of the parenting or the parent-child relationship. That relationship is important regardless of where the child does his/her schooling, but it will make or break a homeschooling experience. (I am NOT saying to not do academics; I'm saying they need to come in second.)

Answer 9

That is a really tough question.

Most of us when we first start out have these great idea's, and expectations; then come the children and put it all upside down.

They have different idea's, learning styles, and personalities.

My advice would be take it slow, relax stick to the basics; math reading, and writing, and if life gives you a twist, and turn that needs attending too; put the books on the shelf for that time.

Later as you see that your approach to home schooling is progressing well, add some history, or science, but do it with lots of hands on projects, games, and field trips.

Observe, and find out their likes, and dislikes.

Are they morning, or afternoon children? pick their peak times to do some "schooling".

If they are out of sorts, use reading aloud, and video's/DVDs instead of book, or worksheets.

Not doing math in a math book, or completing a worksheet for a day or two is not going to make a difference; let them do math on the computer with games like Math Blasters, Clue Finders, Star Wars, or Carmen San Diego.

It truly is a life style, and learning happens all day, it has no set hours, an assigned "school room" or "desk".

Use every occasion, or encounter as an opportunity to teach/learn.

Answer 10

It is critically important to my spouse and I to have a supportive network of friends who are also homeschooling. This allows us to discuss any concerns we have, laugh and share the ups and downs of taking this road less traveled.

We have also learned that our children learn in huge leaps, then plateau. We found switching approaches and focusing on a different topic periodically helps us stop worrying about the plateaus and keeps things interesting.

Answer 11

Don't rush into it-- ease into it. Don't worry about losing time.  Don't worry about arbitrary concepts like grades or "ahead" or "behind" or the quantity of worksheets your child is churning out in a day.

Just as you pointed out, it is a lifestyle. It takes time to adapt, particularly if your child has been in school. You don't need to race out and purchase an expensive curriculum which might end up causing a great deal of frustration and gathering dust. You don't need to create a mini-school at home and play teacher and expect your child to sit quietly all day with their hands folded at the table and you write out notes on a chalk board and have them raise their hand to ask questions.

I say just start getting used to being at home together and engage in a variety of activities, in and out of the house. Incorporate studies slowly and as needed, rather than just to mirror school.

Answer 12

Start early!!!!!!  Humans learn more and faster the younger they are.   I am a firm believer in Home schooling .  The biggest mistake I think most make is not starting soon enough.  If you can teach them "potty training" There is no reason why you can't start teaching them other things like numbers and letters.

Also don't forget that even games can teach.  Keep them interested in learning by making it fun instead of some chore.  Don't let other people cause you to doubt your own abilities or responsibility.  It's the parents responsibility to teach their children not the state's.  Just because you don't know a subject now doesn't mean you can't learn it as your teaching your children.

Answer 13

Breathe and breathe some more

Take a more relaxed approach to teaching and learning

Follow your Child's lead on where their interests lie

Allow them to be creative

Allow them to explore and learn thru trial and error

Take time out of each day to just do nothing

Have fun and play

Laugh and love

Sit back and observe your child

Enjoy and take in every moment as you will never get time back again

Remember if you start to lose your patience go to the bathroom, breathe, pray, and take a little time out for yourself before taking or approaching the situation

Let your child see you reading, read to them, expose them to books this way they will grow up with a love of reading.

Teach the 3 R's and everything else is just bonus.

Don't overload your child with several extracurricular activities because you feel it is the only socialization they will get. Let them pick one activity and enjoy. They will get to socialize thru everyday life with people of all ages.

Let everything you do in everyday life whether you are taking a drive in the car, cooking, cleaning, grocery shopping, etc be a learning experience for your child.

The world is your playground.

Most importantly just enjoy being with your child and don't be in a rush to try to keep up with the Jones.

Answer 14

my best advice is not to

Answer 15

I just graduated High School as a homeschool student. I was homeschooled for about 7 years. The best advice I have is to be structured. It helps a lot.

Answer 16

don't be too up-tight or incorporate too much busy work.  that makes it practically public school.

Answer 17

Examine what's out there as best as you can and make wise choices, augement with unschooling, field trips and other activities.

Parents should quiz their kids on the days learning.  Open one of their books and ask a question.

Of course they should do that for brick schoolers too, but don't!