You may be thinking of homeschooling your children for one reason or another. Children often face overcrowded classrooms and dangers like drugs and violence in public schools. Many parents believe that they have the right to decide what their children should learn, and homeschooling allows them to have this control. However, homeschooling is a big decision and requires you to be knowledgeable about what you will need to do.

Due to the laws and regulations that control homeschooling, it is imperative that you read them carefully and make sure you comply with them. Homeschooling is controlled by each state in the United States, so the laws of one state will not be the same as another state. It wasn’t that long ago when it was very difficult to homeschool your children, and even illegal in some states. Today, all this has changed and you can legally homeschool your child anywhere. Still, you want to make sure you’re fully complying with the law so you don’t risk getting into trouble with the authorities, which could mean your children being forced back into public schools. There will be no problem if you read, follow and fully understand the rules. In many areas, homeschooling parents have formed groups. See if there is one in your area and join it, if possible. These other parents can be a great source of information and can answer your questions.

Strict laws apply in many states, making testing a requirement even if you’re homeschooling your own children. Formal testing should be done even if state law does not require it so that you can assess your child’s progress as you teach. Most homeschoolers work closely with the school administration under an umbrella program that helps them meet state standards. In some states, it is actually a legal requirement that parents work with such a program. Whether you want to remain independent or work with the school, having an option like this depends on what state you live in. The reason most parents like this type of program is that the curriculum is already done for them and they simply have to teach their children. However, there is little freedom in such a situation, which is something to consider if this is an option. If you have a choice, make a choice that meets what you think is right.

If your child shows an aptitude for art, chess, or a certain sport, you may want to take them to a class or teacher to help them develop that skill. Just be sure to look for resources and tools to help fill in any gaps when you’re not equipped to teach in a certain area.

You must master time management strategies if you are going to be a homeschooling parent. When you and your children gather for the start of classes on Monday morning, it may seem like time is not a constraint. However, by Friday afternoon it may become clear that you were not able to complete all the tasks set for that week. One obstacle will be your other responsibilities. Home teaching is not a part-time endeavor, but rather requires a full-time commitment. The best way to approach homeschooling is to structure the day as much as possible, similar to a regular school. First on your schedule should be when “school” starts and when it ends. Sure, kids don’t leave the house, but they need to know when to be in their designated spots and ready for school. In some ways, the hardest part of homeschooling is getting started. To successfully establish a home school, you will need to change your concept of school as a place you send your children to be taught by someone else, and you must be prepared for the challenges that will arise. Once you and your family feel comfortable with whatever form of home education you are using, you will realize that it was the right decision and you will be pleased that your children are receiving their education in healthy and happy conditions.