Be sure to begin to pray daily to the Lord to ask Him for wisdom and guidance and ask Him to show you His will. I do believe every family has the capability to home school, and it is certainly God's will that we teach our children constantly, and that the parents take the responsibility for their education. Many families would have to make sacrifices in order to home school, and for some it would be very difficult. But, through prayer and seeking the Lord daily, and putting aside time to read the Scriptures daily, you will find strength in Jesus Christ. Through commitment to Jesus Christ, you may find answers and ways to do things that you never thought possible. Be sure to include your husband in this project. Ask your husband to pray with you about the education of your children, and get him involved in the research, the reading about home schooling, etc...

 

I suggest you do plenty of this!! If at all possible, give yourself a few months to learn everything that you can about home schooling. Some folks who have toddlers or babies are even giving themselves years to prepare for home schooling. Look for information on your state law, how to comply with it, read articles on home schooling, and look for tapes and books on home schooling issues. Get the latest studies on home schooling. Learn how children are performing academically and socially all across the United States. Read lots of articles on home schooling.

Your state organization can provide this information to you. We here at Wisconsin CHEA can help you out with a lot of this information. Check out our store. Attend your statewide home school conference. We here at CHEA run our conference each and every May- it is a blessing to over 1,000 people!!

If you don't live in Wisconsin, check with your church, local library, even the local private school to see if they can help you find a state or local home school group in your area or state. That is a good starting point!!

When you attend the state conference, make it a point to visit as many vendors as you can and ask a lot of questions. Those fine folks are there to help you, and many of them are experts in their field, and many of them are home school parents themselves!!

 

Join or subscribe as soon as you can. Even if you do not presently home school, you will be kept informed on all the most important home schooling issues, plus you will get a feel for how home schooling can work for you by reading the articles presented in the many publications available.

You will be able to see what is going on in your state and across the nation as well.

If anything is happening legislatively, you will know immediately and you can even get involved.

It's never too early to support your state organization.They really need the support of the people to keep going!! Through your yearly subscription dues, you allow them to continue operating year 'round!!

Many people don't realize that these organizations are run by just a very few staff members, sometimes only on a volunteer basis. There is much work to do, and very few to do it.

Also, the state organization depends on the support of the good people in order to continue to help others. So, your dues are helping others as well!!

Don't forget to send a gift to your state organization at special times of year. Put them on your gift list, and give generously. Most state organizations are operating on a shoestring, and are run by very hard-working, loyal workers.

 

 

Find out what you need to do in your particular state in order to comply with the law. Get the proper forms, and file them by the deadline given. Don't be tempted to home school "underground." If your state has a good law, and a large group of home schoolers, you should follow the law, comply with the regulations, and trust the Lord. The Scriptures tell us to obey the higher authorities, unless they make us go against God's Law. So, as long as you can home school legally in your state, comply with the requirements.

Remember that Home School Legal Defense Association is a wonderful organization, dedicated to protecting the freedoms of home schoolers. If you can afford it, join them, and renew yearly. Even if there are no problems in your state, your yearly dues help to protect the freedoms of all home schoolers across the country.

 

When doing research, look into the different methods of teaching. There are unit studies, unschooling, textbook, work text, principle approach, classical education, etc... Find out which one will best fit your lifestyle, and which would be best for your children (also remember that different children may require different methods). When you choose the method, begin looking at catalogs, and contacting suppliers. Remember to order everything you will need- books, teacher guides, videos, computer software, paper, pens, art supplies, etc... These are just a few ideas for stocking your schoolroom. You don't necessarily have to order everything at once, but use your money wisely and make it stretch. Look for bargains.

Also, check to see if your state organization conducts a book fair and/or a Used Book Sale. Wisconsin CHEA offers both at our spring conference. The Used Book Sale has been a blessing to our folks here in WI and surrounding states for almost 20 years.People have not only saved hundreds of dollars, but have earned hundreds of dollars by selling their used materials to a huge group of people!!

Remember to visit all of the vendors at your state conference- you never know what you will find at any particular booth- so don't skip!!! Give yourself enough time to browse slowly, and ask questions. Don't forget, many vendors offer super specials ONLY at state conferences, and by buying your materials there, you save on the large shipping and handling costs!!

 

Work on organizing your home, making room for supplies and books. You may need to find more storage space, and put up more bookshelves. Decide where you will conduct classes. You may want to do writing and bookwork at the dining room or kitchen table, or have separate desks for the children. For reading time, you might want to set aside a quiet area in your home, such as the couch, or easy chairs, where you can sit comfortably with the children. Remember to remove all distractions during the school day. Turn off the TV and get rid of any unnecessary items that will distract your children from learning.

It's also a good idea for you and your spouse to sit down together and study child training and discipline. Watch videos, read books, listen to tapes. Decide together how you will raise and discipline your children, and stick to your plan!!

 

You may want to purchase a teacher's book, or a computer program where you can record grades and assignments. You need a calendar to record the hours you spend schooling. You may use the one hanging on your wall, or keep one in a separate folder. Record the number of hours schooling each day. Remember to include the educational things you do that relate to the subject matter you are teaching, such as history field trips, science field trips, etc. You may issue report cards if you wish, or simply keep unit tests and samples of your children's work in a folder each year.

 

Find out where your local support group meets. You may contact your local library for this information. Check out your state organization's listing of support groups. Even if the contact information you receive shows that the group is quite a distance for you to go, call them anyway. They may know of a group closer to your own area. Once you find the group that is right for you, go to their monthly meetings. Most support groups hold monthly meetings for parents; and offer activities for the children such as gym class, music, drama, debate, field trips, enrichment, etc..

If there is no group near you, start one of your own. Put a notice up at the local grocery store, take an ad out in the local paper. Be sure to visit the library and give them your contact information, so that they may give it out to those seeking home school support. And, be sure to list with your statewide organization.

 

Choose your schedule, then stick to it as much as possible. Remember that there may be days when you seem to get nothing done. Don't let that upset you. Just come right back to school the next day, refreshed and ready to go.

Don't be afraid to say yes to opportunities to serve. If a grandparent needs to be taken to the doctor or grocery shopping, say yes, and include your children in the serving. They will learn a lot by helping others. Of course, use your time well, and use the teachable moments that present themselves.

Pray a lot with your entire family. Show them that God is a big part of your life and He will be there for them also.

Don't give up!!!

Use the support out there- locally, statewide, even on a national basis.

Attend conferences each and every year to refresh yourself and renew your commitment to home schooling each year. This yearly event also gives your children a larger sense of community!