More and more parents are turning to homeschooling as an alternative for their children’s education. There are a lot of factors that weigh into their decision. Many do it for religious reasons, but in this blog we are going to concentrate more on the needs of the secular homeschooler, although most of the information will apply to both.

There are many and diverse reasons to home school your child. Perhaps you feel the public schools are just not providing for his individual needs. Maybe you see him slipping through the cracks; or it may be you just want to give your child the opportunity to progress at his own pace or with emphasis on subjects uniquely meaningful to him.

Some turn to homeschooling because they are concerned about bullies or other negative influences in the classroom, or because of the violence prevalent in schools. Others just want to enjoy the additional opportunity it affords them to bond with their children.

Whatever the reason, before you start “assigning homework” to your children, you’ll want to do your own homework.

You need to understand from the very start that homeschooling is a big responsibility. You are to be commended for seeking to learn as much as you can on the subject before making your final decision.

If you are one of those people whose hair stands on end at the very idea of “commitment,” homeschooling is not for you. That being said, along with the commitment comes a great deal of satisfaction and joy. The extra time homeschooling allows for you to spend with your child is time you will never regret. And with a little imagination and planning, homeschooling your child can be great fun.

Are You Qualified to Teach Your Children?

Think about it. You are teaching your children every single day. From you they learn how to tie their shoes, make their bed, say “please” and “thank-you.” You teach them life lessons: To always tell the truth, not to speak to strangers, to respect their elders.

You do not need a teaching degree to home school. What you do need is the ability to read and write, and a willingness to learn new things (or to refresh your memory as to things once learned and long since forgotten). Having a creative imagination and a sense of humor are also a plus. Remember, what you don’t know can always be researched or obtained through alternative means (e.g., a tutor, trading subjects with another homeschooler, or even taking a subject or two at the public school if that is allowed in your district)

To help you in your decision, you might want to review the questions listed below::

• Am I willing to be totally involved in my child’s education?
• Can I make the necessary time available to assist my home schooled child?
• Do I love learning?
• Am I willing and able to research things I do not fully understand?
• Can I make learning fun for my child?
• Am I willing to keep accurate, up-to-date records? (Each state has different requirements for home schooling, some more stringent than others. To learn the requirements in your own state go to: http://www.hslda.org/laws/default.asp)

I hope this helps you in making your decision. We all know that parenting is a full-time commitment. Don’t be afraid to take it to the next level if you feel that homeschooling is a viable alternative for your family.

My next discussion will be about “Getting Started.”

So, you’ve done your homework and you know you want to home school. What’s the next step?

Curriculum.  First, you have a few decisions to make. What kind of curriculum do you want for your child? Do you want a lot of structure – an accredited Internet-based or correspondence school program that maintains transcripts of your child’s academic record? Or do you feel that structure is one of the things you are trying to get away from by homeschooling? Many homeschoolers feel that way.

Setting Goals. You need to determine the reasons you want to start homeschooling your child. Some like the freedom offered by not being tied to a rigid schedule or routine, the freedom to be spontaneous. Don’t, however, confuse spontaneous with unplanned. You need to set and achieve basic goals in your homeschooling. The best way to do this is to outline a teaching plan for your homeschooled child, but you also need to be flexible.

Setting Up Shop. After determining your goals and the level of structure you want, you are ready to start gathering your teaching tools: textbooks, reference books, educational software and videos, school supplies, etc. These do not have to be expensive. Used textbooks can be found on Amazon.com, Abesbooks.com and a plethora of other bookseller sites on the Internet. You might also try eBay.com or CraigsList.com. There are usually “For Sale or Trade” sections on the homeschooling forums on the Internet. In an upcoming article, I will supply some good Internet sites and other resources available to homeschoolers, many of them  sponsored by others who home school their children.

Be “at Home” With Your Homeschooling. Do you want to designate a specific room or area in your home as a classroom? That’s fine. Some, however, prefer their child to home school in a more casual atmosphere, feeling that as long as their child is learning, the “where” does not really matter. That freedom is just one of the many plusses of schooling at home. Your child can curl up in an easy chair to read; draw, paint or create masterful works of art on the dining room table; or conduct science experiments at the kitchen island. Are they having fun? If so, you have accomplished your number one goal: You’re children enjoy learning.

Resources. Use local resources for your secular homeschooling –  the public library, of course, and your local museums and parks, municipal recreational complexes or the YMCA, historic sites, a science center if you are fortunate enough to have one in your area. Use your own backyard as a resource. You can combine gardening with a biology lesson, discussing the anatomy of an earthworm or the benefits of ladybugs or birds to your garden. Make a common trip to the grocery store a lesson in economics, comparison shopping, or the health benefits of certain foods.

Homeschooling is a learning experience not only for your children, but for YOU, the parent. It’s a Learn-As-You-Go  opportunity to give your child the best of yourself. Start homeschooling now and see if you don’t agree it’s the most rewarding experience you’ve ever had.

Just relax and enjoy it. And check back for my next installment: Secular Homeschooling Resources.