A Simple Start

Wow! I’m thrilled and amazed at the dramatic numbers of new and potential homeschoolers starting on a personalized, educational journey this year. As a long-time homeschooling mama, I’ve enjoyed watching our community grow in a slow and steady manner through the years. This year, though, the growth is anything but slow! Almost daily I get an email or call regarding a family who has just started homeschooling. Some days, the calls just keep coming. They all want to know “how do I start homeschooling?”

Many families jump in with excitement, knowing that the lifestyle makes sense to their family. These families are diverse in their make-up. Perhaps they started out as ‘attachment parent’ families and homeschooling is just a continuation of that lifestyle. Others make this choice because they really miss their children when they are gone all day long and they sense that there is a better option for their family. Maybe they feel strongly that they can provide a more academically-strong education or a more socially-balanced environment.

Some families are intimidated by the idea of homeschooling but feel stuck with no other workable options. These families often have children who are outside the ‘norm’. They may be gifted or challenged. They may have food allergies that make dining in a public school setting dangerous. Perhaps their child has mental health issues or physical challenges that make succeeding in a large classroom difficult. Their child may simply be asking to homeschool. Often, these parents are in disagreement about the educational decision.

As these new homeschoolers join our diverse and quickly growing homeschooling community, they bubble over with questions. Am I smart enough? Am I patient enough? Will I ruin my child’s life (or my own)? How will I teach? What will I teach? When will I clean my house, drink my coffee, workout or just enjoy a quiet moment? I’m dizzy with the questions asked of me by new homeschoolers. I can only imagine how overwhelmed they feel. So, I’m here to answer some of these questions and offer some insight into the realities of this wonderful lifestyle.

How to Begin Homeschooling

Day 1. How exciting! When I’m writing this, it is much closer to day 100 in the school system, but day 1 in homeschooling can be whenever you want. You can decide to homeschool in September or March. You’re in charge. Once you’ve made the decision, the process of becoming a homeschooling family is very simple.

First, you must notify a school district of your intent to homeschool within 14 days of beginning a homeschool program. This is done with a basic Letter of Intent (LOI). Type or handwrite the following information: Full name, address and age of the child you will be homeschooling; the number of days and hours you will be teaching (minimum is 688 hours or 4 hours per day, 172 days per year). Then mail or deliver it to the school district of your choice. That’s all there is to becoming an official homeschooler. Told you it was simple! I do suggest you keep a copy of your letter.

Now that you’ve officially started, I encourage you to continue with your nice, simple start. Once you are an established homeschool family, you may seek out complex programs, complicated systems and detailed homeschool philosophies if you feel so inclined. For now, you can really just walk a simple path. Spend lots of time at the library pursuing your child’s interests. Read together. Use educational TV or computer games if that works for your family. Most importantly, just enjoy exploring the great, big world that is your child’s new classroom. There is plenty of time to fill in the gaps later, but right now enjoy some quiet time acclimating to a new lifestyle with your child.

Finding your Inner Homeschooler

With the vast resources and amazingly diverse philosophies available to homeschoolers, the world is truly your oyster. All these choices, however, can make for some intimidating decisions. Allow yourself the freedom to explore them fully and gently so that you can find a style and system that work for your family.

While you are at the library enjoying your simple start, grab a few books about homeschooling philosophy. Kick your kiddo off that educational computer game and go research various philosophies online. Subscribe to a homeschool magazine or two to find a style that resonates with you. Enjoy the roller-coaster as different authors and homeschool experts take you from one extreme to the other. Then, once the ride has come to a complete stop, look around and see what makes sense to your world.

Finding your Support System.

Fun, information and resources come most easily when you have a support system. This can range from one other homeschooling family to a large group of diverse families. Either way, a support system allows new homeschoolers a place to explore their philosophies, to seek resources and to simply enjoy community. For a list of various local homeschool groups go to the CHEER Homeschool Support Group List.

With these basics, you can start homeschooling your child. In no time at all, you will be the expert and I’ll be sending new homeschoolers to talk to you. I know you can do this. It’s simple!