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As you begin homeschooling, remember that it is a marathon, not a sprint. Here are some dos and don'ts to help along the journey.

DO know why you're homeschooling. Write it down and keep it where you can find it. On those tough days, it may encourage you to go back to that "mission statement" and rediscover why you made the decision in the first place. Having your purposes laid out will give you a strong foundation to build on.

DO continue reading and learning and growing. New homeschooling books are being written every day. Even if you've read a dozen of them, there is still more to learn, more to spark your interest and, by extension, your child's. Don't let your homeschool become stagnant. Keep up with the latest products that can help your child learn. Consider subscribing to a homeschooling magazine.

DO find a support network, whether it's in your town or online or both. It's important to connect with other homeschooling parents and to feel that you have someplace to go for advice or just a friendly voice. None of us are in this alone.

DO rely on your spouse's opinion. You may do all or the bulk of the teaching, but your spouse may have insights that you haven't thought of. He or she knows your children, too, and has a different way of relating to them.

DO be prepared to respond to questions and criticisms. Decide whether you want to engage in debate or provide a pat answer to all queries, such as "We've decided that homeschooling is best for our family." Period. Don't get flustered when strangers ask questions, and don't assume that they'll have a negative reaction. Homeschooling goes against the mainstream, so people are interested in it.

DON'T compare yourself and your homeschool to others. No two children are alike, so no two homeschools should be alike, either. Do what you know is right for you and your family and don't worry about what the next person is doing. Comparison is the death of contentment.

DON'T assume that everyone else has it all together. You may imagine that the leader of your homeschool group rises at 5 a.m. to get all of her work done before her freshly scrubbed cherubs come to breakfast, greeted by a bountiful homemade spread, after which they do their chores without complaint and launch gleefully into their schooltime, flawlessly conjugating verbs and executing math problems while their proud mother irons the sheets and plans dinner menus for the next month. Okay, that's a little over the top. But all of us at one time or another have thought that we're too unorganized, too undisciplined, too "something" to homeschool well. The truth is, we all have strengths and weaknesses that we struggle with. Your friend may be more organized, but you may be more spontaneous. Both approaches have their benefits.

DON'T become isolated. It's easy to become a homebody when you run on your own schedule, with no one to answer to. Instead, keep yourself and your kids involved. Too much activity can be a bad thing, of course, but all of you need interaction with other people. Kids need to romp with other kids, and you need a chance to chat with other parents about the challenges we all face. Be open to invitations for educational or social outings, without letting them derail your schooling.

DON'T let naysayers shake your confidence. The stronger you are in your conviction to homeschool, the less criticism will get under your skin. Don't let uninformed opinions bring you down. This brings us back to the first point of this article: Find that "mission statement" and remember why you're doing this. Then smile politely and repeat after me: I am doing my best for my family. I am doing my best for my family. I am doing my best for my family. ...

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