Homeschooling has come into its own and is now considered a mainstream alternative for the education of children. But is it the best choice for your family? Here are some things to consider: 1. Can you afford it? Homeschooling is not cheap. One potential earner, the homeschool parent, is not earning and not adding to current income or retirement. Also take into account the cost of curriculum materials and extracurricular activities your children will want. It is much cheaper to use free, public education. 2. Are you extremely organized? Depending on your school district, there will be many different kinds of records to keep. Some districts require meticulous and detailed records the hours of instruction given to your children. Other districts are more lax, but the most share the requirement of tracking hours. Some school districts require an outline of the curriculum for the year including textbook titles and publishers. Are you well aware of the latest Science curriculum? 3. Do you have a strong network of family and friends nearby? Although home schooling is possible to do in isolation, it is not the norm. A well-rounded child needs to socialize with friends of all ages. And you, the homeschooling parent, will need the support of your friends to do the best home schooling. 4. Are you comfortable with flexibility? You need to be open to the various learning styles of your children. There is no one right way to teach each child. Be ready to give up your preconceived ideas about what homeschooling should be, and enjoy the discovery and Science curriculum process with your children. If most of your answers are no to the above questions, then homeschooling is probably not best for your family. If you are feeling dissatisfaction with your child's school yet know you will continue to send your child to that school, then it is time to address those dissatisfactions for the time being and work on compromises or other solutions. Or perhaps look at using a different school altogether. Make the best choice you can for the education of your child. It is a decision that will influence the rest of their lives.
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