If you find that your child is stressed in the public school and is getting increasingly disheartened as time goes by then home schooling might well be something which you ought to consider. But, be prepared for a period of transition after taking your child out of the public school system before jumping into 'full-time' home schooling.
If your child is currently in public school then you must start by studying your state's home schooling laws. Ensure that you can meet all of your state's requirements before going any further. As soon as you are satisfied that you can meet all of the requirements of your state you must get in touch with your child's school and inform them that you are removing. If you fail to formally remove your child then this might lead to truancy issues at a later date. You must also be ready for the school to question your action and perhaps to resist your action.
The process for withdrawing your child will vary depending on where you are living but it will often mean simply writing a letter to the superintendent of your child's school system. You will have to state that you are opting to school your child at home. You may also have to provide evidence that you are complying with your state's laws and are legally permitted to remove your child from the public school. If you are able to quote sections of the law in your letter then this will help to show that you understand the law and with your rights as a home schooling family.
Having taken care of the formalities you ought then to consider the following 5 points:
1. Your child is not imprisoned by the rules and regulations of the public school any longer and will have to be allowed some time come to terms with the change. So, you should not rush into schooling but should allow your child a little time to adjust to this new lifestyle.
2. Take some time to get to know each other. You might well feel that you know your child but you might be surprised to discover that you do not know him at all. You might well unearth areas of your child's personality which you never knew existed and he might also learn a few new things about you too.
3. Do not be surprised if your child does one or two things which he has grown used to doing at public school. Some new home school children will raise their hand when they have a question or if they want permission to use the bathroom. It could take some time but those school habits will be broken eventually.
4. Keep some of the better habits which he has gained at school. If, for instance, your child is in the habit of having spelling tests on a particular day of the week then continue to keep that plan. If you allow him to stop doing all of the things he has grown used to in public school then you could end up with more problems than you solve.
5. Do not forget to enjoy the process of home schooling with your child. Electing to home school is of course primarily for the benefit of the student but it should also be pleasurable for you as well. Do not take things too seriously and cut yourself some slack and have fun. Probably of prime importance remember why you decided to home school and take joy in the freedom which home schooling offers.
![[Valid RSS feed]](/images/icon_Rss.png "XML Feed For RSS"){kind=icon}
Category Rss Feed
Print This Article
Add To Favorites
