Homeschooling had always been on my mind when our daughter was approaching kindergarten. In 1993, society considered teaching your own children a “rebel thought,” and I found it intriguing. What a seemingly novel idea!
I liked the idea of spending time together; learning along with your children, able to fulfill what I wholeheartedly believe to be a mandate from the Lord- Proverbs 22:6, “Train up a child in the way he should go…”. Parents, what greater call is there than to train your children?
Are you called?
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I believe if you truly want to homeschool your own children, you can accomplish this. You don’t need to have a teaching degree, just a willing heart, ready to forge ahead to create a unique learning environment and style for each child. And, I might also add, homeschooling isn’t just for Christian’s, many people who have no specific religious affiliation have the desire to homeschool as well.
For most United States citizens, you, being your child’s parent, meet the legal qualification for being the homeschooling educator. If you need help with rules and regulations for your state, you can contact HSLDA.
The HSLDA are advocates for homeschooling and are a great asset in navigating filing paperwork with your local public school; along with understanding and complying with rules and regulations for your state. I highly recommend paying for the annual membership along with your state homeschooling group.
How to get started homeschooling
The easiest way to get started is to find someone in your area who homeschools. If you are on Facebook, you could look up FB groups who homeschool. If you attend a church, I would bet someone in your church already is homeschooling and would happily point you in the right direction.
Be prepared to invest time in researching the various curricula and teaching styles, like traditional, Charlotte Mason, Montessori, co-oping, and un-schooling. I will say, anyone telling you they ‘free school’ should bring caution.
Personally, I like the Charlotte Mason style. Charlotte Mason’s educational approach to children was phenomenal. She was definitely ahead of her time. She wrote six books dealing with educating children. Her philosophy was to keep lessons short, interspersed with a great deal of learning through reading (classics of her time, geography, history, and ancient history), nature walks, exploration, narration, and appreciation for art and music.
The above really doesn’t do Charlotte Mason justice. I would suggest that you read some of her books.
Set a budget
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This is probably one of the biggest challenges to getting started. Educating your child doesn’t have to be expensive, but you need to remember you are providing them an education, do it to the best of your financial ability! Be sure to keep all your receipts for educational costs.
Some costs will include supplies, computers, curriculum, CO-OP fees, music lessons, art lessons, even private tutoring and Image classes by professional licensed educators may qualify for year-end tax deductions. Your tax advisor will help you.
With your budget in mind, you can begin purchasing items for the next school year. Be sure to check out the following avenues for curriculum, books, math manipulatives, schoolroom items and more:
- Homeschooling Facebook groups that buy and sell
- Rummage sales
- Join a local Facebook buy and sell and watch for offers
- Some local libraries have a section that allows the loaning out of homeschooling material
- Thrift shops
- Networking with local homeschooling moms- borrow or swap
There are online homeschooling programs that offer free courses. Do excellent research before jumping at the idea of free education- you get what you pay for, or don’t pay for!
You can homeschool!
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Whatever your reason for homeschooling, you are embarking on a journey with your children. A journey that will have its joys and tears, learning curves and yes, mistakes. But when educating your children, remember we are failing forward and learning as well. I tell everyone homeschooling isn’t like performing brain surgery. Nobody is going to die!
Homeschooling is definitely doable if you earnestly seek to educate your children yourself. It will require your time and patience: setting a budget, exploring your children’s learning styles, and perhaps trying different curriculum, till you find what works best for your family.
Educating your children will be an education for you as well. Mistakes are bound to happen, but if you are willing, you will learn and find a rhythm to your day. Living and learning through life as a family
Michele Bruxvoort is sure to draw you in with her delightful sense of humor and love for living life. She enjoys reading, repurposing, as well as remodeling the family home with her husband. Drawing from her life experience as wife, mom, and follower of Jesus, Michele brings you a very honest and real perspective on life. When you don’t find her writing, you can find her mowing lawns, stocking shelves, taking care of her grandbaby and tackling her latest life adventure.
Wisconsin native and empty-nester, she now makes her home with her husband of 27 years in the South West Prairie plains of Minnesota.
