How early should I begin preparing for Homeschooling?

[mommy2gunnar]

I am just wondering if it is too early to start thinking about homeschooling? My son is only 1 year old, but we are certain that we want to homeschool him. Is it too soon for us to start preparing ourselves for it? Anyone have suggestions for where to begin? Also anyone out there from Alabama who could explain the rules and regulations for homeschooling in Alabama?

[bwylde]

I started researching when DS was a baby (like 6 months or so). I read everything I could get my hands on, researched every curriculum and program I came across and basically drove myself crazy with it. I'm glad I did as now I can forget everything I learned and just do it :.

[elizawill]

i knew i was going to homeschool since i was pregnant with my daughter. i started researching then, and i'm glad i did. i felt overwhelmed and insecure. people who were seasoned homeschoolers would tell me how easy it was and not to worry -- but it was almost impossible for me to not stress because i was so new to it all. i would try to read about homeschooling, and there are a billion styles of homeschooling that made no sense to me, and then there were what felt like "codes" that everyone was speaking (like dd, dh, ds, -- i remember thinking - WHAT DOES THAT EVEN MEAN! ).

for me though, my personality is one of organization, so i'm so thankful i started to read up early. but each person is different, and if you are laid back by nature - you probably won't be OCD like i was . having said that though, even though i researched early, i never did very structured school with my daughter until she was 5 (and by structure i mean premeditated crafts and such). last year we moved from CA, so instead of following through with kindergarten like i planned - we took a very relaxed approach and waited to do official kindergarten this year, allowing us all to get accustomed to our new home and such. school should not be stressful imo. things are going so fabulous though!!

i think there are some real advantages to getting your ducks in a row early - so my advice is, it's never too early to start reading up on it. good luck!!

[*Jessica*]

Originally Posted by bwylde

I started researching when DS was a baby (like 6 months or so). I read everything I could get my hands on, researched every curriculum and program I came across and basically drove myself crazy with it. I'm glad I did as now I can forget everything I learned and just do it :.

I started when I was pregnant and feel about the same way!

As for your state's regs....I have found yahoo groups to be a wonderful resource. Here's one for Alabama Homeschoolers.

[Lillian J]

To tell you the truth, I honestly think the most important thing you can start doing at this point is learning how to get relaxed about it. Here's another MDC thread that has links to some good resources that can help you toward that end:
"DS is 2- what would you recommend I do/ research at this point?"

And I personally feel that the less you think about homeschooling right now and instead try to stay focused in the moment at hand, the happier you'll be in the long run - because those early years absolutely fly by!

- Lillian

[birdie22]

I started doing intense research last spring. I think it took me about 3-4 months of voracious reading and thinking to get in the groove and start evolving some philosophical positions. Now I feel confident that when the time comes, I can make educated decisions. I'm in no hurry, though. We do lots of living and playing, which is just what ds needs at his age.

So I guess I'd say it's never too early to start thinking about it, but it's not so complicated that you have to have everything planned years in advance.

[megs4413]

i was coming to ask this same question! but my DD is almost 2.5. thanks!

[phroggies]

I've been researching since DS was born, and the more I researched, the more I realized I should probably hold off on anything serious. So now I research just to divert myself from actually implementing any of that research. . .

[prettymom]

I'm in the same boat... starting to research with a one year old running around..

I've found a big part of it is trying to figure out what sort of structure or lack of I will want for her. I did some research on unschooling and right now I'm reading "The Well Trained Mind" which is a more aggressive approach.

Some might think I'm over doing it by caring so much while she is still a baby, but I want to make sure I have the own holes in my education (thanks to the CA public school system) patched up before diving in.

[Lillian J]

Originally Posted by phroggies

I've been researching since DS was born, and the more I researched, the more I realized I should probably hold off on anything serious. So now I research just to divert myself from actually implementing any of that research. . .

Good for you!

I think what often happens is that the idea of "homeschooling" can be pretty attractive to a mom who hasn't had much to "do" along creative lines for a while while taking care of a baby, and all of a sudden the allure of being able to play school comes along, and she's off and running. I might have done the same thing if homeschooling had been something that had been around much when I had a little one - especially if the schools had been doing the 3Rs with preschoolers then, which they weren't. - Lillian

[Lillian J]

Originally Posted by prettymom

I'm in the same boat... starting to research with a one year old running around..

I've found a big part of it is trying to figure out what sort of structure or lack of I will want for her. I did some research on unschooling and right now I'm reading "The Well Trained Mind" which is a more aggressive approach.

Some might think I'm over doing it by caring so much while she is still a baby, but I want to make sure I have the own holes in my education (thanks to the CA public school system) patched up before diving in.

Okay, this is unsolicited advice , but... Really, the best way you'll find of figuring out what sort of structure or lack of it you'll want for her is to wait and watch her when the time comes to see who she is in the way she learns and thrives best. You can make plans and structures till you're blue in the face, but the real deciding factor of what's going to work best is her - it's essentially just all about her. I'm just saying that from the hindsight of someone who's raised a homeschooler and seen an awful lot of others growing up.

As for holes in your own education, you really don't need to patch up much of anything in advance - lots of people successfully and happily learn right alongside and with their children. What is good to patch up is any math phobia or whatever that you may be carrying - because those kinds of anxieties tend to lead to putting stresses on the child to operate in a certain manner rather than being able to operate within her own natural way. What could be nice, though, would be to go ahead and fill the holes you're feeling and concentrate on those for yourself while you're homeschooling - you'd be doing one of the very most important parts of homeschooling: modeling a love of learning. Lillian

[2shy2post]

Originally Posted by Lillian J

I think what often happens is that the idea of "homeschooling" can be pretty attractive to a mom who hasn't had much to "do" along creative lines for a while while taking care of a baby, and all of a sudden the allure of being able to play school comes along, and she's off and running.

This was me!!! I was BORED being a mommy and "preparing" for homeschooling was something interesting to do.

I did back off and just read a lot about different ideas and topics. If you're in a state that has a lot of laws and requirements ~ you might want to be familiar with how you are going to achieve the state's goals as well as your own!

I'd also say take a look at your finances. We've spent a lot of time making sure that I can continue to stay home. (if it's what you want, you can be making a 20+ year commitment ~ and you want to be sure that things are in place so that you don't have to work) Check out the life insurance thread...

The best advice I have (and received) is not to worry too much. Just let your kids be kids and enjoy it!!!