by Debbie Wiens

Created on: May 20, 2008

Homeschooling is an option that over 1 million children in the United States experience on a daily basis. It is a wonderful opportunity for many families, a time of exploring, growing, laughing and learning. It allows children to learn at their own pace, slower in some subjects or faster in others. It allows for parents to focus not only on the 3 R's, but on values and life lessons that they believe their children should know. But like any endeavor taken on where children are concerned, it is work. Lots of work. It requires dedication, organization (of at least some sort) and perseverance. Many states require rigorous record keeping for EACH child that is being homeschooled. Some states, such as Nevada, require that the parents get their lesson plans (which they prepare prior to starting for the entire year) signed off on by a licensed teacher, or a homeschool teacher with at least 3 years of experience. This rule stays in place for the first 3 years a parent homeschools their children.

Homeschooling is a wonderful opportunity to get to know your children, and for them to get to know you. But it is not for every parent. And even if homeschooling has proven successful for you with an older child, unfortunately, homeschooling is not for every child.

I have homeschooled each of my children at a different period in the development for a short time. My oldest child did well, she is a real self motivated child who can take an assignment and do it and the next 4 days worth in one sitting. She will work well and quickly to get her work done so she can go on with other things she enjoys even more. My middle child was only homeschooled for Kindergarten and for the year of 1st grade. While he did not do badly, the need he had to socialize even at the young age, and the defiant nature of his character made him an unwise candidate for future years. At the age of 15 he spoke again of being homeschooled with the thought of graduating early and "getting on with life" I, however, told him that was not a wise choice, given our difficulty in communicating on the very basic of issues. I knew deep down that if he would not take my instructions for a few hours a day regarding household chores, the all day, all night instructions of homeschooling would not fare well. My youngest I have attempted at various times to homeschool him throughout his 8 years in the education system. He is one that does not fit the square pegged hole of public education and what they have to offer. Given

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>