1. Be an Ambassador for Homeschooling.
Nearly everyone you meet will have met a homeschooler who is:
a. Weird! Very religious, (as am I!), buttoned up or Culotte-wearing and so well behaved and 'in-line' that you wonder if they have any thoughts of their own. Even though you know they aren't they appear to be in some kind of a cult (!) and seem afraid of the outside world.
OR
b. Wild! Families who 'homeschool' but basically do nothing or nearly nothing or appear to do nothing academic, including for the high school years. The younger kids seem to run wild and the older ones are lacking very basic information that adults need to live full lives.
It's up to YOU to change these stereotypes! Homeschooling is pretty commonplace these days. However it will be up to you to educate those who may have misinformation about homeschooling. Many times I have explained the specifics of what Maine requires from homeschoolers. Many times have I described the vast array of curriculum available.
Guess what? One reason: It is likely that someday in the future a bill will appear in your state legislature seeking to curb homeschool freedoms. People vote based on their assumptions & experience. May we each have done our jobs as 'ambassadors' for homeschooling so that all those in our circles will have a positive view of this educational choice.
2. Don't be closed-minded about educational choice.
Please do not be a homeschooling parent who thinks & loudly says that homeschooling is what is best for every child & every parent & every combo of child & parent for every subject at every stage & age. This is not possibly true. Have an opinion. Share your opinion. However the first second that others feel you are not even willing to even consider the fact that public school isn't evil & that homeschooling doesn't work for everyone at all times, they will immediately turn you off. You can't be much of an ambassador when no one is willing to listen to you.
So- repeat after me: Very good parents send their children to public school. Very good parents send their kids to private school. And sometimes parents who homeschool are not very good parents.
3. Prepare your answers for comments & questions that will frequently be posed to you.
Most commonly I hear these 2, but there are many more:
1. Aren't you worried about socialization? Won't they be [gulp] weird??
In spite of the fact that I referenced 'weird' earlier, I don't mind if my kids are weird! If by 'weird' you mean individuals who don't mindlessly follow the crowd, the answer is 'yes'!! I want my children to know what they like, know what they're good at and to be themselves. As for socialization, homeschoolers today have more group opportunities than they can take in or take on. Also, which is more natural & more true-to-adult-life? Socializing with a group of peers who happen to have birthdays all within a few months of yours or socializing with multiple ages, possibly grouped according to interest and/or people you actually choose?
2. I couldn't do it. I just don't have that much patience.
I can very much assure you that God didn't give my an extra serving of patience! We do what we put our minds to do & the process has been edifying for me.
4. Your child needs to learn how to behave. To sit. To wait their turn. To listen and be taught by other adults.
Have you ever taught a homeschooled kid who is so used to life being all about them that they monopolize the talking time & are intolerant of what other children have to say? (Well I have...) Now I am all for unschooling. I am. However I have always felt that it was important that my kids know how to function in a classroom and obey the authority of other adults.
Noelle went to 3 years of school & Micah went to 1/2 day Kindergarten so they are both aware of what 'real school' is like. As homeschoolers they have taken Science classes with Tony. They have participated in book clubs & dance classes & Sunday School & AWANA & other activities. They are not perfect & perfectly behaved children isn't my goal. But they do know how to behave in a group setting. (I would certainly hope so by ages 11 & 13!!) Being an ambassador.
5. Enjoy it.
The biggest advantages of home education are flexibility, time with your kids, and freedom of choice. There is no need to duplicate the school experience! Your options are w-i-d-e open. Enjoy this time. Be creative. Stress less.
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