i'm thinking about homeschooling my child.... (pt 1)

You're thinking about homeschooling your child?  What a wonderful opportunity for your family!  Homeschooling, no matter what kind, can be a very rewarding experience for your child and your entire family.  It can bring the family closer as you navigate the world of learning together with your child.  Instead of asking "So, what did you do today at school?" and getting an answer of "I don’t know, stuff..." you and your child will already know the answer!

There are also many different options when it comes to homeschooling and this series of articles will help you navigate the many options you will first be introduced to. 

First of all, here are some questions to consider before you start.  This list may seem overwhelming; however it is a good exercise to think about the many options and possibilities before embarking on this wonderful journey: 

• What type of schooling/unschooling will work best for your family?  
• Does every member in your family support this?
  
• Do you have any close friends who home school?  if so, what is their experience and advice? if not, who could you talk to in order to get some advice?
  
• Those subjects you struggled with in school, are you prepared to re-learn them to help your children through?
  
• If you are unsure how to break something down into small steps, or don't have a background in a subject do you have the desire to learn or help your child find out about it on their own?
• Perhaps you could 'outsource' this to another family member?Is your family in a financial situation where you could afford variety? 
  
• Home schooling can sometimes be more affordable than traditional public school, however, there may be quite a cost in setup and materials depending on what type of program you will do with your children
• .Who will be the primary 'teacher' or 'learning guide'?
• and lastly, Are you excited and enthusiastic to spend the day learning alongside your child?First, what type of home school do you think will work best for your family?

You may have the answers to all these questions, and you may need to ask around and do some personal research on your own.  Whatever choice you make, whether to homeschool your child or not will be the right one for your family!  Good for you!  You made a great choice!

Stay tuned for Part 2, where we will investigate the many options available to families in B.C.!