Dear Parent,

God bless you for considering homeschooling when your boys are still very young.  By giving yourself a few years to pray, and think, about educating your children, you are already ahead of the game.  You have plenty of time to research the ins and outs of homeschooling.  Our blessed Mother Mary will hold your hand along the way, because your intentions to teach your own children, are lovely.

I suggest that you take four steps during this next school year while contemplating homeschooling.  First, research homeschooling by talking to other families who educate at home; and purchase or borrow homeschooling books.  If you know someone who homeschools ask them if you can meet with them once or twice, or schedule a phone call.  Write down your questions and set a time limit for the meeting.  Veteran homeschooling moms are gracious with their time, but they are also busy.  There are several excellent resources to guide you on your decision to homeschool.  The book that helped me the most, when I considered homeschooling, is called Catholic Education: Homeward Bound by Kimberly Hahn.  Not only does it help you weigh the pros and cons of homeschooling, but once you have decided to homeschool it provides steps to begin.  There are also troubleshooting topics in this terrific guide for parents who are already teaching their children. 

Secondly, find the websites for your state's Department of Education, and for the school district that you belong to.  Each state's laws and guidelines for homeschooled families are different.  All states allow homeschooling, and you don't have to take a special exam, but some states require more information from parents than others.  By the time your boys reach kindergarten you are required to let your school district know if you plan on homeschooling or enrolling your child in their schools.  Your school district will provide you with the correct paperwork and information so that you are able to homeschool in that area, and in your state.  Although you may be excited to begin communicating with your school district, many homeschooling moms and dads suggest offering only the information required, at the time it is required, and no sooner.  Some districts are supportive to families who choose to educate at home, and some are less happy about your choice.

You have this school year to read up on the different and wonderful choices for your children's school books - their curricula.  Catholic Heritage Curricula provides excellent curricula for each grade level.  We begin with preschool, so that you will have some lovely character building books to read from by next school year.  CHC provides materials for Faith Formation, Language Arts (Reading, Grammar, Spelling), Math, Science, and Social Studies.  We offer extra, optional materials in Art, Music, Latin, Map Skills, and many other enrichment subjects.  All of our books come from a Catholic perspective, and saturate your child's day with faith and our love for Jesus.  CHC offers lesson plans, so that you know what pages to read, and study from, each day.  When I first began homeschooling, I put my own curricula together, and while there are many excellent Catholic education curricula providers, I was much too busy to lesson plan by myself.  Lesson plans are also helpful to the beginning homeschool parent.  That's what makes CHC lesson plans priceless.

Lastly, and most importantly, pray about your decision.  If you are already considering homeschooling at this early stage, the Holy Spirit seems to be leading you down an exciting path.  Hand it all over to the Lord and He will help you with the details.  I am excited for you and your family.  Homeschooling is a wonderful decision and gift to your children.

Blessings to you and yours,

Julia Johnson