Today I was blessed to meet with some new homeschool moms. With the time of my homeschooling years slipping away, it was refreshing and encouraging to talk about homeschool beginnings. All the questions that plagued me years ago are repeated by the next group of moms.... well... kinda. They seem more on top of things that I felt in their place. They are asking all the right questions. So much of my success as a homeschooler came from veterans that guided me and worked as my sounding board. Sometimes being able to talk to someone supportive can make all the difference. We have really come a long way! I think I should start making a list of the things new homeschoolers should know. From time to time, I will try to update with new information.
1. Your homeschool won't look like anyone else's and that is okay.
2. You know your kids better than anyone else.
3. Museum of Science and Industry is free for homeschoolers on weekdays (and there is free parking by the farm exhibit)
4. Few kids work at age/grade level in every subject.
5. It is okay for school to look like play (and feel like fun)
6. They will eventually learn _______ (fill in the blank with the topic of your choice where they are struggling)
7. Each child is different and they will learn and grow differently
8. In IL a homeschool is a private school, so if you make a teacher card, it can be used for teacher discounts.
9. High school can start in junior high.
10. CLEP tests are a high schooler's best friend.
11. Homeschool students don't need to take standardized tests (but the teacher may want one occasionally)
12. If you get tired of people quizzing your kids about homeschooling when you are on a field trip, put your kids in a school uniform and everyone will leave you alone.
13. You can't teach your child everything they need to know before graduation, but you should consider yourself successful if you taught them how to learn for themselves.
