The 7 Home-School Necessities

1. An Attraction to the Idea. You must be intrigued by the concept of teaching your own children. Homeschooling out of obligation does not work in the long run.

2. A Love of Learning. This is more important than feeling competent as a teacher. Curiosity and enthusiasm are contagious, and will serve your children well.

3. A Parent at Home. You and your spouse must be committed to finding work schedules that will allow for this, though sometimes creative alternatives are possible.

4. Willing Children. Homeschooling is a partnership and your kids need to be on board, even if you begin things with an offi cial set “trial time.”

5. Flexibility. Your approach will change according to each child, and also according to the season in your life. The goal is not to re-create a traditional classroom in the home.

6. Support. You need to be in contact with someone who will encourage you. Local support groups or informal friendships can help in this.

7. Humility. There are no perfect educational options, no perfect children and certainly no perfect homeschooling parents. Even the greatest homeschool education will lack something.

For more information on homeschooling, google “Canadian Home Based Learning Resource Page” or “Homeschooling in Canada: Homeschooling Information by Province.”