by Timothy Justice

Created on: November 25, 2009   Last Updated: November 26, 2009

Homeschooling in the Internet age has its definite ups and downs. On the one hand, there is so much available for the discerning parent, from pre-packaged curriculum to study groups, that a parent can easily find more than enough material to homeschool their children with an education that rivals and often even surpasses that of a quality private school. On the other hand, access to all of this information can lead to overload and quickly overwhelm a parent.

The first piece of advice I would give anyone beginning homeschooling is, be yourself. You've already proven your abilities as a parent in teaching your child how to walk, how to tie their shoes, and often even the fundamentals of reading and math before they even enter the institutional educational system. Because there are so many quality options for educating your child, you should not have to look far to find a curriculum that fits your teaching style.

Next, get involved in an area support group. In most areas, homeschoolers are among the minority, and a homeschool group will offer you the support and assistance of other parents who are of like mind. They can also provide a variety of recreational and cooperative activities to answer the frequent questions about socializing among homeschool families.

The biggest word of caution I would give, though, is to avoid "superchild" syndrome. We are inundated with news stories of the latest child prodigy, and when your child shows intellectual aptitude, it is tempting to push them to meet high expectations. While children often need a push and encouragement, they aren't trained seals and pushing them too hard is more likely to frustrate you and your child than it is to cause them to be the next big celebrity. Sure, your child won't get on Oprah, but they will be happier and more well-adjusted.

Find out about your state's homeschool laws. I ould not advise you to ask the local school district about homeschool laws, however; the local school board often sees homeschoolers as the enemy and are often frequently misinformed about homeschool laws themselves. In some states, your homeschool plan may involve interaction with the local school board, but this is not necessary in many states and you should consult an outside source such as http://homeschooling.gomilpitas.com/ or www.hslda.com about your state's laws. Both sites also provide excellent information on groups within your area as well as homeschool conferences.

Homeschooling is truly fine, rewarding, and can be an exciting adventure for your family. But like so many other things, if you go in without a plan, it can be exhausting. Hopefully these tips and the links above will help provide you with a good starting point on your homeschool quest.

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