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 May you and your family be blessed on your homeschooling journey.

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An Introduction to Homeschooling

Homeschooling is an increasingly popular educational choice.  However, it is important to understand that you simply can't just pull your children out of school and begin homeschooling, or decide to never send your children to public school.  Every state is governed by laws that determine the appropriate steps that must be initiated to conduct a legal homeschool program.  It might be confusing at first, even overwhelming to sort out all of the information applicable to homeschooling.  This is where Homeschool Mate will be of great help. 

I have compiled numerous resources that will enable you to begin your homeschool journey and ensure that you meet all of the requirements by law.  Though homeschoolers might feel as if they are doing something radical, cutting edge, or living their lives in an unconventional manner the truth is that a successful homeschool program meets the requirements set forth by law, thus it really isn't unconventional or radical at all.

To begin homeschooling, you must determine the laws for your state.  You'll also find that most states have a number of different approaches that you can take.  There are private schools, umbrella schools, homeschooling under a public school option, and satellite schools. Some families choose to create their own home education program and meet the yearly requirements established by their local county school board.  Others might feel that networking with other homeschoolers under a private school is the most effective way. No matter which method you prefer, one thing is certain; homeschooling is on the rise and more families are deciding to take control of their children's education and provide academic instruction at home.

"Homeschool – also called home education or home school – is the education of children at home, typically by parents or guardians, rather than in a public or private school. Prior to the introduction of compulsory school attendance laws in the 19th century, most childhood education worldwide occurred within the family or community, with only a small portion of the population attending schools or employing tutors. Most children in developed nations are institutionally schooled.

Especially in the English-speaking nations, homeschooling is an option for parents who wish to provide a quality of education or social environment that they believe is unattainable in schools.

Homeschooling may refer to instruction in the home under the supervision of correspondence schools or umbrella schools. A curriculum-free philosophy of homeschooling may be called unschooling, a term coined in 1977 by American educator John Holt in his magazine Growing Without Schooling."  courtesy of Wikipedia

"school·mate (skūl'māt')
n.  A companion or associate in one's school." courtesy Answers.com

Homeschooling is a wonderful way to educate your child, but be prepared.  It takes a lot of work, concerted effort, and energy.  It also takes a support group to help mom stay encouraged when times are difficult.  It is true, that no matter what your personal income level is, you can successfully home school your child, but there is no doubt that you can provide more curriculum and opportunities if you plan a homeschool budget.  In fact, I recommend that homeschool families dedicate a section of their home particularly for their studies.  In an ideal situation, you would be able to wake up in the morning with all your children, cheery eyed and chipper, sit down for a lovely home cooked breakfast followed by morning prayers and devotions, then chores (where all children pitch in gleefully while singing and whistling), and then a grand entrance out the back door into your school house where all children sit down for lessons, all by 8:15.  Unfortunately, that is the ideal but very often, not the reality.  No matter what your personal home situation is like, you can successfully homeschool your child.  There are also numerous ways to homeschool.  In fact, many public schools systems are offering a "home education" satellite programs for students ranging from 1st grade to 12th.  If you are apprehensive about "going it alone" and want the shelter of a public school atmosphere, while still enjoying the benefits of home education, then by all means, work with your county school district.  On the other hand, there are parents who shy away from public school and unite with other homeschoolers through homeschool groups and ultimately create a private school.  These are legitimate homeschooling options, however it is important to understand that every county and state has different homeschooling laws, so you must understand the laws as they apply to your state.  The point I am making is simple, if you want to educate your child at home, you can.  But you must be accountable.   As a Christian, I believe that you must view the education of your children as a God given right, responsibility, and ultimately command.

Proverbs 22:6  Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it

I also want to address the importance of having a support system.  It isn't uncommon to find parents who choose to homeschool without the additional support of family members.  In fact, sometimes those family members serve as a negative force, continually attacking and pulling down the very core that the homeschooling family has built.  Under these situations, it is imperative to join a homeschool support group.  This may be an official group from your state, or it may be a local group started at your church or private school.  No matter how the group is formed, you must have support.  Your children also need to engage in activities with other children, and homeschool groups are an excellent way to meet those needs.  So please, don't go it alone, find a support group.  You'll appreciate the friendship and the activities that groups provide.

Also, I want to share with you a wonderful site called the Homeschool Video Project.  I am going to introduce you to many resources available for those who are beginning their homeschool journey, but I think that you will find these videos invaluable. They are a wonderful introduction for those who are contemplating homeschooling and will enlighten your understanding to the many different options available.  The #1 lesson to be learned when considering homeschooling, is the realization that every homeschooling family is different.  Therefore, what works for one family, may not necessarily work for another.  The key to finding the homeschooling method that is best for your family, is to choose the program that best meets your children's individual needs.  There are so many different paths to choose when walking the homeschooling road, and it is the purpose of this site to help introduce you to those various options.  You may also discover that your homeschooling journey will undergo many changes.  In the beginning, you may find that you rely heavily on schedules, curriculum, and formats where as after you begin homeschooling for several months, or maybe a few years, you will feel more comfortable in a more relaxed environment.

This is a link to view an actual tour of a homeschool school room.  I am sure that you will find this encouraging.  It should also spark some great ideas as to how you can set up your own homeschool room!  

View Video Here

This is an awesome video that shows how you can incorporate homeschooling with your everyday life and teach preschoolers!  I am sure you will be blessed by this video.  I love the baby! 

Here are some wonderful interviews that take a look at homeschooling in a simple question and answer format.