homeschool parents

What do you do when people ask you about the socialization of their children?  Do you blow them off with a flip answer, or have you had any good conversations where people ‘see the light?' I asked a few of my friends what kinds of experiences they’ve had with this question, and they shared some of their stories below. “My husband is military and last summer brought a move; our first move since we started home...

Many parents write to me asking about high school testing options. Sometimes it seems confusing, but each test is simple to understand once you know what makes them unique and how they can work to your child's benefit. Tammy wrote to me recently about AP Exams: I saw an ad in the local school bulletin.They are having AP Exams. Is that something my son can take to show his "intelligence" in a subject or is it...

As homeschool parents, our goal is NOT to teach something. Our goal is for the kids to LEARN. I could have taught my kids “at grade level” and they would have not learned a thing. Instead, I gave them curriculum at their ability level, and then they had to learn something that they didn’t already know. I believe that older teens MUST learn how to teach themselves. If they go to college, they will be expected...

Some people are intimidated by grading. Some parents are scared of high school credits.  Then there are some unschool or delight-directed homeschools that really stress out about  naming classes.  It can be pretty easy when you use textbooks (look at the title of the  textbook!) but in other situations it’s not as simple. I just got off the phone with a mother trying to name an unusual class. If you are stuck, try Google some key...

Community college dual enrollment is not always a positive experience. Rebecca on Facebook asked: Hello - I attended one of your sessions on Homeschooling High School a few years ago at Seattle Pacific University. I appreciated so much what you shared!! My son is now in 10th grade and we're considering Running Start (dual enrollment in community college.) But I had remembered that you mentioned Running Start caused problems for your boys and that you didn't...

Death, divorce, and deployment can happen. Even to homeschool parents.  It may happen suddenly, and unexpectedly.  Even a long-anticipated deployment can seem sudden when they day actually arrives, and while temporary, it can still be difficult.  When you are faced with single parenting, know that you are NOT alone! I wrote an article with resources for single homeschool parents.  Read about Mary Jo Tate of SingleParentsAtHome.com and Alice Birchfield, a homeschooling single parent in Virginia. Get...

I'm getting those calls and emails again.  The ones where parents start with "Help!  I don't know what I'm doing!" I hear it all.  See if these worries sound familiar: Can my child get into college? Can she get good scholarships? How can I provide opportunities for his future? How do we apply to college? What do I do first? If you are confused with the whole process, and don't even know what to do first,...

Many parents hold firmly to Proverbs 22:6 as they raise their children. "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it." That's a wonderful promise.  It's great motivation to work hard as we train up our children to know right from wrong, and to make good choices. But it says "When he is old..."  What happens before he gets old?  What happens when the...

Even though it is Valentine's Day, winter is weighing heavily upon many homeschoolers, like snow on the roof. Are you tired of it?  Turn this winter into a fond snowy memory.  Have some fun in the snow, after you do the schooling you can do. Read aloud wintery books to your younger children, like The Long Winter by Laura Ingalls Wilder . Maybe one day your children will write their own novel about our own long...

Some parents are born homeschooling their children.  Other parents begin educating their children in the common way until they realize they need to make a change.  It's interesting to watch families taking their first tentative steps into the homeschool arena. Some begin the journey resistant, even angry at the world for being forced into the lifestyle.  First tentative, gradually they become more confident.  Eventually they begin to feel fulfilled as a parent and as a family....

What happens when REAL homeschoolers grow up?  You know, the kids who have to actually WORK to learn?  I'll tell you what happens - they succeed! This is a letter I recently received from a friend willing to share the ups and downs of her journey - and their ultimate success! I just have to share what happened today. My oldest child, Rhett age 16 and in the 11th grade, won the National Guard Outstanding Achievement...

Lee, I know your boys did the "CLEP route" before going to college. Did this shorten the number of credits they had to take in college?  And, are you familiar with the program College Plus? Do you have any thoughts on this company? Thanks, ~ Kitty in Washington We did use CLEP to achieve one year of college by exam.  The biggest deal is to make sure the university you want to go to will accept...

Hi Lee, I was wondering if you have any thoughts on Rosetta Stone software for learning a foreign language? Thanks, ~ Diane R. Dear Diane, I've heard that it's a good curriculum WHEN it is a good fit for the child.  It's just not always a good fit.  I would try it to see. We used PowerGlide , and that was very effective for us.  Others love Tell Me More. These can also  be found from...