Homeschooling

This is for those of you who want to homeschool but think you can not,

I'm here to tell you that you can! If you accept God's challenge to raise up your children in His ways, He will enable you to do it. We all have our strengths and weaknesses just as teachers in the public school system. As a result, public school teachers collaborate with one another and attend workshops. In homeschooling, we have local support groups and homeschool conventions that will help and encourage us along our journey. As a homeschooler, you will explore different paths, and if it doesn't go where you want it to go, take the lessons learned and try another path.

As a homeschool family, there are various types of resources out there for you including libraries, co-op groups, classes, hundreds of websites, nature centers, museums, and exploring the world. By using these options and creativity, you could entirely homeschool for free if you are willing to do some work. Curriculum ranges in price depending on buying used or new. You can purchase used curriculum and materials on ebay, used homeschool curriculum sites such as http://homeschoolclassifieds.com/, and I personally love attending used curriculum sales. There are homeschooling books such as: 100 Top Picks for Homeschool Curriculum by Cathy Duffy that can help you determine: the best way for your family to homeschool, curriculum options that will best suit your family, and organizational help. Books such as this one can help you determine how much time you want to invest in planning your week or your lessons or if you want your subjects to be more student led or teacher led.

Many parents say to me that they could not handle their children all day long or they don't have the patience. It may be a struggle at first and we all certainly have our days just like any other, but again if you have the desire God will provide for you and your children. There are many benefits to homeschooling. You will have the priveledge of watching your children make discoveries, pursue interests and follow where life leads them. They will get real world socialization, learning how to communicate with people of all ages. Your family relationships and spiritual relationships will grow. You will have many volunteer opportunities to choose from. You will be able to pass on your family's morals and values and minimize the influence of the drug and sex culture. Your children will be exposed to less peer pressure. And time. You will have the time with your child to play a game, cuddle, play, laugh and cry, go for a nature walk, sit and talk, and help build upon their strengths and weaknesses.

Homeschooling is a big commitment, but you have to decide what is more important to you, your family, and to God. You have to make the choice to step out of your comfort zone and trust in Him. You are your child's best advocate! You will be richly rewarded.