New homeschool parents face the gigantic challenge of figuring out exactly how they want to homeschool. Don't be surprised if you settle on one method, only to change it entirely every few weeks. It takes at least a year to settle into a groove that works well for you and your children. Don't be afraid of that. Just do it!
Curriculum:
Wow, this is a tough subject. Not only are there thousands (literally!) of options, but you have to find a way to sift through them without buying them all first! An excellent way to start is to spend time browsing homeschool catalogs (see my links page for Latter-Day Family Resources and Timberdoodle). You can circle materials that appeal to you and keep a running tally. Second, take your wish-list to the library. Often times they will have some of the materials that interest you. You can see for yourself if they are what you are looking for. I have saved myself from many-a-disappointing purchase by doing this.
Ask around. I have found that getting recommendations is a great way to learn about school resources. People are always happy to tell you what they like and don't like. There are materials I would never have discovered if I hadn't been asking!
Start small. If you decide you are interested in a particular science series, buy the first book- not the whole set. Make sure it meets your expectations! It's easy to want to jump right in, but you may regret the purchase.
After all is said and done, you will have to take a risk at some point and buy curriculum. Do you want a 'Curriculum in a Kit', or do you want to customize and choose a more eclectic approach? We decided on doing an eclectic approach because I could not find any one program that I completely liked. 'Curriculum in a Kit' is easier, but more expensive. You pay for the privilege of not having to do the foot work (or the brain work!). Eclectic schooling is much more time-consuming, and requires additional time on your part to plan and prepare lessons.
Read, Read, Read. When we decided to homeschool, I read every homeschooling book I could get my hands on. Some of them I agreed with, some of them I didn't. It helped me to see how other people do it, and find out more about the philosophies and styles of learning at home. Two books that made a big impact on my ideas were: 'Avoiding Homeschool Burnout' by Dr. Raymond & Dorothy Moore, 'The Art of Education' by Linda Dobson (my favorite book on homeschooling!), and most recently 'Homeschooling and the Voyage of Self-Discovery' by David Albert (inspiring and well written!).
Don't wait. Don't think that things have to be perfect before you start teaching your children at home. In all honesty, it never does become 'perfect', and the only way to come close is through trial and error. Our schooling gets smoother and better with age. (i.e. The older our homeschool is, the better it gets!). Your first 6 months or year of homeschooling will have you scratching your head and wondering what you were thinking. Be patient. It will begin to come together before your very eyes. The best advice I can give is: Be consistent. Keep doing the things that work, but don't be afraid to change the things that don't. And, most importantly, don't give up. When you are discouraged, find support with other homeschool families. Always remember the old adage:
"Stick to your task till it sticks to you. Beginner's are many, but ender's are few."
