Are You Doing Too Much in Your Homeschool?

October 27, 2012 by

Parents want what is best for their children but can you do too much in your homeschool? Of course you can but how do you know if it is too much for your children to handle?

Parents have so many resources available to them now that it can be overwhelming. Parents also want to ensure that their children are getting the best education possible. However, you can’t do it all. You cannot teach everything there is to teach to your child and remain sane.

Are your children actually interested the subject? Or is it something you’ve chosen that you feel they “should” learn? It could be piano, or Latin, or another language or activity, do your children truly enjoy learning those things or do you feel as though they should just push through it. No one enjoys doing things they don’t want to, so why force a child to learn something they don’t need right now when the time can be better spent learning something they are interested in. [Read more...]

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How to Buy Used Homeschool Curriculum

October 12, 2012 by

Homeschooling curriculum can be expensive, how can we homeschoolers save money on curriculum? Buying used materials can be a great way to save money on books.

Before you go searching for your curriculum, do some research, know what you want ahead of time. You also need to determine which editions you will use. Publishers may have come out with a new edition for your curriculum and now publish a new teacher’s manual. Older copies will often sell for less, at least they should. If you are purchasing a curriculum, it is best to make sure that the seller has the whole package including the teacher’s manual or that it can be easily found.

Check with your local homeschool groups, they may hold annual used book sales, or there may have an email group where you can list things for sale or to buy. [Read more...]

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What are the Disadvantages of Homeschooling your Children?

October 11, 2012 by

With any advantages to homeschooling, you also have disadvantages as well. As a homeschooler, you have probably heard it many times from strangers or anyone else who has heard you are homeschooling. Here are some disadvantages to homeschooling, at least what others usually think are disadvantages.

What about Socialization?

Do you really think a child needs to be in a classroom of 30 students and 1 teacher to become socialized? There are people to socialize with at the grocery store, the library, or your family. Homeschoolers take plenty of field trips, there are co-op classes that your children can take for various subjects, they have extra-curricular activities as well.

Well, how will your children deal with bullies? They have to learn to stand up for themselves. Of course, everyone eventually has to deal with unpleasant students but does a 4 year old really need to be exposed to that kind of stuff at such a young age? It’s scary enough for them to be away from you, yet having do deal with unwanted behavior from others is ridiculous. You won’t be able to shelter them from the world, and that is not the goal, however, you can pick and choose who influences your children the most. [Read more...]

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What are the Advantages to Homeschooling your Children?

October 6, 2012 by

There are numerous advantages to homeschooling your children as well as disadvantages. If you are considering homeschooling or even if you just need a reminder or encouragement, homeschooling can provide loads of benefits to your children.

There may be religious reasons that factor into your decision. This may be due to the fact that you would like to incorporate your own religion into your studies or you don’t agree with what is being taught or not taught in public school. Many families choose to homeschool because of their faith but it’s not the only reason.

You can move at the students pace, whether it is accelerated or slower than their peers. By homeschooling you have the benefit of time, you can address learning issues and take as long on any subject to make sure the child gets it or you can speed things up for gifted children as well. They do not need to be held back or pushed forward by their class, you decide when your child moves onto the next level and what areas need work. [Read more...]

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