Homeschooling is an educational alternative that is growing in popularity. Parents look at underfunded schools, undertrained teachers, bullying, violence and drugs and they want more for their children. Homeschooling is a great choice for some families but it is not for everyone.
The first thing to check into if you wish to home school is the legal requirements of the state you live in. This can be easily achieved by looking at the Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) and reading the requirements for your state. Some states are very lax and have very few rules regarding home education. Other states are very strict and have rules about how much education a parent must have before they are allowed to home school.
If you meet the legal requirements for homeschooling you must then think about what is going to be personally required of you to teach your child. You will need to be organized. You will have to have lesson plans and have knowledge on a variety of subjects, or be prepared to investigate things together to learn. You will be the one responsible for your childs education. That is not a decision to be taken lightly. You will also likely be educating one or more children on different grade levels. You will also likely not have a great deal of me time and will be spending a lot of time with your children. You will have to have a plan for subjects that you will need other teachers for. You will need to have a plan in case a family emergency or sickness changes your schedule. Now it all doesnt have to be written in stone, but it does certainly help to have thought these things out.
You also have to be prepared for opposition. You may be at the store when someone eyes your kid suspiciously and asks why they are not in school. You may have family members that are negative and critical without having a lot of the facts about home schooling. You may have people that dont want to understand it but just think it is wrong. You have to decide how you want to deal with that sort of thing and how much you are going to let it bother you.

Homeschooling is not for everyone and thats okay too. You can find your place supporting your childs teacher and being a part of the classroom and doing the things that you can do. It is okay if you dont think you can do it. Careful research and thought will make for a better future for your child regardless of how they are schooled. Know yourself and know your child and make the most informed decision that you can for their future.

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