by T Jameson

Created on: June 27, 2010

Education begins, for a child, the moment he/she is born.  The education process begins with loved ones caring for them in the first moments of their precious life. 

If you are lucky enough to be a stay at home parent, then you will experience an amazing journey with your infant through toddler years.  Most of us begin the teaching process through talking, singing, reading books, watching educational shows such as "Dora the Explorer", "PBS Kids", and "Playhouse Disney".  And, this is a pre-educational journey should be treasured because time passes us by; and, before you know it, it is time to decide public, private, or home school.

Is homeschooling really for you?  You should ask yourself this question and make sure that you are ready to take your child's education into your own hands.  But, you should also, most importantly, ask yourself whether or not homeschooling is for your child.

Ask yourself if you and your child can have not only a parent/child relationship but also a teacher/pupil relationship.

As a home school mother of two, I am often asked what possesses me to want to put so much time and effort into my child's learning experiences.  In one sentence, I can honestly answer by saying, "I love to see my child's face when the lesson clicks and he understands exactly what I'm teaching him."  It's magic!

Homeschooling a child is a wonderful experience, not only for you but also for your child.  You get to control what your child's curriculum contains.  You can add your own studies such as Bible Study, Home-Economics, etc.  My son loves to learn about the ocean, so we made a unit study about it last year.  In a large classroom, a teacher can not devote so much attention to one student's passion.  My daughter loves to learn sign language.  We have added our sign language curriculum into our daily lessons.  This will give my children an advantage that public school can not give them.

I loved public school as a child.  I played sports and was extremely involved with my peers.  I wouldn't trade this experience for the world.  But my child did not like public school.  He was bored and anxious in the classroom. I felt I made the decision to home school because of this. But I believe I am now making the decision to home school because it is what's best for me and my children.  

I feel the only way you will know if homeschooling is right for you is to take time to decide. Allow your child to include their input into what their education will be.  And, most importantly, get involved with home school groups, church groups, city sports, etc.  Allow your children to have socialization through many activities.  

And, last but not least, take time for yourself.  If homeschooling is the journey you decide to take, it is a hectic one.  You will need all the help and encouragement that you can get.  It's like softball, sometimes you hit it out of the park and others (no matter how hard you try) the ball just dribbles straight to the pitcher.  So, take the time to talk to home school moms and groups, read all you can on the subject, tour your local schools, research what types of curriculum you would use, and have faith in yourself to make the best decision for you and your child.

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