Homeschooling Advice

Marisa Pineda - Vice President

Are you new to homeschooling? Are you considering homeschooling but haven’t “taken the plunge” yet? Here is some advice that served me well in deciding to homeschool and getting through the first year:

Define what a “good education” means to you and make a list of what you want for your children. This definition and list will guide you as you decide how to approach the teaching of your family.

Find out what the laws in your state require from home educators and students. (Idaho is very homeschool friendly. See http://www.iche-idaho.org/idaholaw.html to learn about Idaho’s education laws.)

Talk to “veteran” homeschooling families. Don’t be afraid to approach them with questions. Most homeschoolers are happy to share their experiences and insights. We LIKE questions. We’ve all had to make the decision you’re contemplating. We’ve been there!

Do your research. There are many, many methods and philosophies out there: Unschooling, Charlotte Mason, Unit Studies, Thomas Jefferson Education, Waldorf Method, Classical homeschooling, K-12 programs through the public school system, etc. The more you read, the more confident you’ll feel finding a method/system/philosophy that works for you.

Join a homeschool support group like DHSA. In fact, join more than one.

Get involved with activities and social events. You’ll meet other homeschoolers and have access to resources that will assist you in teaching and enriching your family. You’ll make friends, your kids will make friends, and you’ll discover you’re far from alone in your endeavors.

If you are removing your children from the public school system, expect an adjustment period. Give yourself at least a year to get accustomed to your new lifestyle. You’ll need it, and you won’t regret it.

Make the main focus of your homeschool your relationships with the Lord and with each individual family member.

If you’re married, make your spouse your top priority.

Write a letter to yourself explaining why you chose to homeschool. When you’re having a bad day/week/month, read your letter. It will remind you why you decided to do this crazy thing in the first place.

Have a plan AND be flexible. A big newbie mistake is to cling to a certain plan or a certain curriculum, even when it’s clearly NOT working for you. Be willing to revise, or even scrap something that doesn’t fit, or is making you crazy.

Have a sense of humor.

Develop your own sense of wonder and excitement for learning.

Pray. A lot. (That probably goes without saying.) Have faith that the Lord trusts you with His children.

Schedule breaks for yourself and your kids. This is especially important if you’re just coming out of the public school system!

This ought to get you started. Or at least get you thinking. All this advice came from the homeschooling families I hounded for information. They were all willing to share and very patient with me. And they were spot on. Thanks!

Marisa Pineda