The Best Suggestion for New Homeschooling Parents

So you've finally made that leap. You've decided to homeschool. Congratulations!

Now what?

As a former public school teacher and homeschooling mom, when a prospective or beginning homeschooling parent approaches me and starts asking questions, I usually politely interrupt them and ask them to wait. Then I ask them to sit down and get them to relax a bit. Once we're settled in some nice comfortable place somewhere, I ask if I can make a few suggestions before they begin firing away with their questions. Just like you, they're excited to get started on their new adventure, and I love to see that gleam of anticipation in their eyes.

I know they want to know everything I know about homeschooling. They'll run to the bookstore and purchase books on the subject from reputable experts in and outside the homeschooling community. Knowing they'll get information through a multitude of avenues, I give them the best piece of advice I can give.

Consider questioning anyone's claim who says they're an expert on homeschooling. Listen to the "experts" and then judge for yourself whether it fits your child's needs or not.

I don't care how long they've been homeschooling. I don't care how many children they've taught. I don't care how many other homeschoolers they've influenced, lectured, hand-held, or instructed. I don't care if they've written one book or many books on the subject of homeschooling. Because nobody-I repeat-nobody is an expert when it comes to homeschooling. Including me. We all struggle through this grand adventure separately and together. As unique as the children we love, raise and now hope to teach, we each have our own unique experiences, strengths and "expertise."

Granted there are some wonderful trail-blazing people who began homeschooling their children in the early years of homeschooling-some of them started over twenty-odd years ago-who have amazing legacies they've passed on to us. Those brave souls have gathered mountains of experience and education.