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We all want the best for our children. More and more parents are becoming disappointed in traditional public schooling and seeking out alternative solutions. Home schooling is generally not as difficult a venture as the inexperienced believe. There are a few basic keys that a parent needs to consider carefully when they are choosing to home school.

Empathy

Children have their own learning styles. It is important to pay attention to your student and to discover that style. It may be very different from yours. We spent a few frustrating years as I struggled to understand that my learning style was very different from my son's. Just because I was comfortable teaching in the way I learned, it did not mean that it was best for him. I personally love to explore nontraditional learning resources. I like to read historical fiction and to take lots of field trips. I enjoy using creative exploration to tackle traditional subjects. On the flip side my son prefers to be very structured and to use traditional textbooks. He loved it when I would set the timer for each subject period. After 55 minutes the bell would ring and he would switch subjects. I had to learn to teach in a way that nurtured his learning. While he also enjoyed field trips, he needed the structure and the predictability of subject periods and textbooks to feel comfortable and confident in his learning. When I adjusted my teaching to what he needed, it was awkward for me for a while, but the results for him were wonderful. There are several good books on learning styles. Reviewing these in the beginning of your home schooling adventure will save you and your child a lot of confusion later.

Patience
Understand that the first year of home schooling is always an adjustment. Don't stress out trying to do everything right. Explore, experiment with curriculum and carry as light a load as possible. Let this first year be an introduction for you both. If you feel like you are behind or that you are not covering everything, know that this is normal. Everyone feels lost and inadequate that first year. You will be amazed later when you compare your child's learning levels with those of public school children in a comparable grade. Chances are excellent that you will find that your child is ahead of the norm even though you felt that your child was behind. Give yourself and your child time to adjust to this new life style. Focus on those areas that are working well and allow the positive momentum to give

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