Vince Shorb asked:


Homeschooling a financially responsible teenager will help your child avoid many of the mistakes that are plaguing so many young adults today. By giving your teenager a practical financial education they can excel in today’s global economy.

Everyday we hear about what happens when young people are not financially prepared: bankruptcies, record student debt and lack of savings are problems many young Americans face today. Also consider that just a single late payment made on a student credit card will show up on their credit report for seven years. Fortunately for homeschool parents, you can help your children avoid these problems by teaching them practical financial education skills.

In today’s age, it is vital for homeschool parents to recognize that financial education is missing from high school curriculum so it is important you provide your teenager with the knowledge they need to make in the financial real world. There are simple financial education lessons that you can teach your child that will give them a tremendous advantage as they grow older. There is homeschool cirriculum that will help you teach your child vital financial skills.

Homeschool Financial Education Foundation Tips.

Homeschooling your child to be financially responsible will give them an advantage that they will use everyday of their life. Before teaching them the actual ‘financial education’ lessons; help them build the foundation knowledge that is the backbone to financial success. Below is a list of critical lessons that will serve as the foundation of raising a financially responsible teen.

1. Organizational skills Achieving financial independence at a young age will be aided by having good organizational and time management habits. Lead by example; teach your high school age child how living a organized life will help them now and in the future. Doing so will allow them to reach their fullest earning potential.

2. High Ethical Character - Developing a high moral character will help your homeschooled child earn more money, be a better job candidate and is key to helping them develop into a well respected member of the community. By helping them develop into a person of high ethical character will help them be socially and financially successful.

3. Verbal and Written Communication - Spend extra time homeschooling your teenager on communication lessons. Their ability to communicate effectively will help them earn more money and give them the ability to influence others. This allows them to tactfully align others with their personal goals, which is a fundamental quality to greater earning power. This not only will help them to stand out among their peers it will also greatly increase their chances of promotion. What’s more, great communicators are more likely to be leaders within a company and/or become successful entrepreneurs.

4. Proper mindset Studies show that positive outlooks attract positive events, so in your homeschool curriculum teach your child to develop a mindset that will help them develop into a happy, well-rounded, financially responsible adult. Having a positive mindset helps your children to be creative, well-rounded and financially successful.

Goal setting is a critical component of developing a winning mindset. Homeschool your children on how to set goals and teach them to think with the end goal in mind. Show them how to create a mental picture of what they want to accomplish. This will motivate and give them the added confidence they need to succeed.

5. Passion Although not on the public high school curriculum, homeschool your child to discover and follow their passions. Get them focused on ways they can turn their passions into a business or career. When your child is doing what they love it doesn’t feel like work, they are excited to wake up in the morning and helps them be the best at their chosen career. Brainstorm with your child and have them write all their dreams on paper. It not only will help you to know them on a deeper level but you’ll also be helping them develop a skill that will last a lifetime.

Homeschooling your child allows you to focus on important life lessons that are not found in most public high schools. The homeschooling tips discussed lay the ground work for your child to develop into a financially responsible adult. The additional ‘dollar and cents’ financial curriculum is needed but only after they understand the mental game of money.



Posted by Nikhil Gupta

Mimi Rothschild asked:


Each year, more and more homeschoolers are graduating and moving into the world. Many choose to take their education further and attend college. The good news is that more and more colleges have altered their admissions policies and are accepting, even actively recruiting children. There are also a large group of homeschool graduates who chose to not attend college and head directly into the work force. The question is though, how are they doing?

Homeschoolers who have made the jump into the workforce are getting good feedback from their employers. The national food chain, Chick-fil-A® is so pleased with their homeschooled employees that they actively recruit them. Characterizing homeschoolers as smart, ambitious and very driven, recruiters are pleased with their high level of loyalty and diligent work ethic.

Employers have discovered that the same work ethic that brought homeschoolers through their education carries over into their careers. In fact, homeschoolers seem to view work as simply an extension of their education. Children are being described as self-starters who are reliable, creative, intellectually prepared, and read voraciously and watch television less.

Most people are aware of the axiom, “it’s who you know.” Because homeschooling is a relatively new phenomenon, there may not seem to be a huge “gold old boy” network out there for them to exploit. The truth is that homeschooling is a tightly knit community with more and more of its proponents in positions of influence, and this community can be very effective at finding jobs. There are however, plenty of pointless bureaucracies and short-sighted managers out there to make prospects difficult. In some companies, employment is dependent upon a diploma that is certified by the state or the possession of a General Equivalency Diploma, or GED.

A GED has been described as a test that dropouts can take to be given a second chance at a formal education, making GED holders the equivalent of dropouts. This situation is hardly the equivalent to a high school diploma and an employer who demands that of a homeschool graduate clearly show his ignorance or bias.

Because of their homeschool background, they are ready for the uncertainties of a changing economy, the ups and downs of the business cycle, and are prepared to deal with bosses, customers, and all of the other people in the business world. Homeschool graduates are as prepared as any high school graduate and may be more suitable for an uncertain future. Students are raised as individuals, not farmed out of institutions for plugging into the workforce.



Posted by Nikhil Gupta

Bob Ellis of Dakota Voice highlights the recent study by HSLDA dispels many of the myths about homeschooling. There’s a link to the report (labeled “pre-publication”) which shows no academic disadvantage for homeschoolers and in most cases real advantages over public schooling. The report also has many details comparing types of homeschooling and other variables.
Note: the chart above uses percentile rank. 50 means half of the students do better and half do worse. 86 means those students do better than 89 percent of all students. In other words, for all public school ranks, 50 would be (by definition) the normal we are comparing to.

The 2009 Progress Report on homeschool academic achievement tells a remarkable story not only of how well homeschooled students are doing on a fraction of the budget and support staff of public school students, but of how little bang for the buck we’re getting for our tax dollars in the public education system.

Homeschoolers scored in the 80s-range percentile in all academic areas including a composite score, coming in 34-39 percentile points higher than their public school counterparts.

Many people who are considering homeschooling their children worry that a lack of teaching credentials could hinder their child from learning as well. However, the study found that among homeschooled students, it made virtually no difference. Actually, the “not certified” segment of parental teachers scored one percentile higher than the certified. Read more…

Mimi Rothschild asked:


Would you like to have your own online journal to share information, experiences, thoughts, opinions, advice, and suggestions about homeschooling and your life as a homeschool parent? Then consider starting a homeschool blog. Blogging is a more recent and very popular phenomenon on the Internet.

A blog, or “web log,” is an online journal website where you can post entries as often and as long or short as you’d like. Blogs are usually subject-based and are geared toward a specific audience, and in this case, your main subject would be about homeschooling, attracting a readership of homeschool students and homeschool families or other individuals interested in homeschooling. Blogs also feature comments that allow your readers to provide feedback to a particular entry.

If you’re concerned about the fact that your writing abilities may not be “good enough,” take heart. The blogging world is fairly casual. You don’t have to be a stellar writer and your grammar and spelling need not be perfect. You do, however, need to have something to say. You need to find a voice, write in an interesting, engaging style, post often (or at least regularly), and interact with your readers through comments.

First of all, what can you write about homeschooling, the homeschool life, and your homeschooler? There are endless ideas here. You can write about the different benefits of homeschooling, the challenges of having a homeschool, how to switch from public school to homeschool, personal experiences, your children as homeschool students, opportunities for homeschool families, and curriculum issues and ideas.

Now that you have some ideas of what to write, you need to find your writing style. First, try to write the way you speak or think. Forget about being technical or trying to be a professional-be natural and relaxed, like you’re having a conversation. For example, don’t just regurgitate online research about Homeschooling, talk about your real homeschool experiences as well as thoughts and stories about your homeschooler. Also, keep your audience in mind as you write, and finally, check out other blogs about homeschool families or homeschooling to get a feel for it.

Furthermore, make sure you write in your blog regularly. You will lose your readership fast if you’re sporadic. It’s best to write as often as you can, even if you write short entries about your particular day as a homeschool parent. Posting daily or every other day is generally recommended, but if you can’t, try at least to post regularly and consistently so your readers will know when your blog will be updated.

Finally, interact with your readership. If someone comments on one of your posts about your thoughts of the homeschool life, reply with your own feedback so your readers know you are interested in their responses.



Posted by Nikhil Gupta

Cynthia Brandolini asked:


What does homeschooling mean to me? It has become such an integral part of who we are as a family, that it would be difficult to analyze it separately. It truly has become our way of life.

Homeschooling means I spend more time with my children - all of them, not just the little ones. My older kids attended a “regular” school for several years before we started homeschooling, and I always felt out of touch with what was going on in their lives. We were growing apart, both figuratively and literally. Why has society accepted that parents should want to be with the babies and toddlers, but once the kids reach school age, we’re supposed to prefer to not have them around? I didn’t have children in order to send them off to spend their day with some other adult. I didn’t feel that way when they were born, and I don’t feel that way today. I deeply enjoy each and every one of my children, and I love having them with me every day.

Homeschooling means we are free to discuss our faith openly, and apply it to all areas of life and study. God is not relegated to only Sunday school, or even only Religion class. History is full of faith-filled people whose actions and ideas were directly related to their faith, including the founding fathers of our country. I really don’t see how one could teach about how America began without mentioning God. Science is in reality a study of God’s creation. How can one look at such an amazing world and not appreciate the Source of all? Writing and reading can include faith-related topics. When dealing with discipline issues, God and His teachings can be included in the discussions. It would seem unnatural for a person of any faith to spend their entire day forbidden to mention their God.

Homeschooling means I have an incredibly open and close relationship with my two teenagers. They will talk to me about anything, and are not embarassed to be seen with me or our whole family. We laugh together, and actually enjoy each other’s company. My sixteen-year-old daughter and fourteen-year-old son have become great friends to each other. They have not been made to feel that parents are irrelevant, or the enemy. More time together means we know each other much better.

Homeschooling means I know, and select, which books my children read and learn from. I am also aware of, and guide, the topics of discussion. I don’t have to wonder what “life lessons” they are picking up at recess, on the school bus, or even in class. I choose when they learn certain things, when they are ready (and it has been at a different age for each of them). I plan and direct their education, a level of involvement which is very important to me.

Homeschooling means my children can progress through their studies at their own pace. When they learn something quickly, they can just move on. When they need more time with something, we can slow down to make sure they master it. And I know right away when they need more help. Problems are not hidden until they become major issues; we can take care of them right away. I know and love my children better than anyone else, so their success is paramount.

Homeschooling means my older kids get to see the younger ones grow and develop. They were just as amazed to hear the youngest laugh for the first time as I was. Everyone is learning more about child care, and patience, and putting the needs of others ahead of their own. These are life skills that are important for anyone.

Homeschooling means a more relaxed daily schedule - OUR schedule - which results in less stress. Our day is flexible; we can schedule appointments at less busy times. We don’t have to get up before dawn to catch a bus at 6:50 am. I really don’t think anyone should have to be out of bed while it is still dark out.

Homeschooling means more free time to pursue other activities. We can finish a day’s work in less time since we don’t have to continually organize a classroom of 20 or 30 students, or spend time walking up and down long hallways.

Homeschooling means we can visit DisneyWorld during the off-peak times, instead of fighting crowds of people stuck to school vacation schedules.

Homeschooling means, on the other hand, living in a house that is never quite all clean. Having six children home all day, every day, creates more mess (especially in the kitchen), and makes it more difficult to keep up with the cleaning, laundry, etc. It doesn’t bother me as much as it did at first, because I had to set priorities. The education and growth of my children come first. They do help with chores, but not at the expense of schoolwork. Every couple of days, when I reach my limit, everyone takes a break and cleans up. But until they all move out, there will still be some mess.

Homeschooling means I can slow down and live in the present moment when necessary. I have grown to really appreciate the time I have with my younger children, taking a few minutes at any time to watch them take such joy in each new skill they learn. I definitely feel less rushed since we started homeschooling, and I am able to be there for each small, yet monumental moment in the life of a child.

Homeschooling means, in short, more time and opportunity to fully live out my vocation of motherhood.

[Please don't misconstrue my words to imply that these things are not possible for anyone who does not homeschool. This has been a discussion of what homeschooling means to ME. Every family is unique; every family has their own path to follow in finding what is best for them.]



Posted by Nikhil Gupta

From Laconia, NH: As part of a child custody ruling, a judge told a woman she could not homeschool.

In a potentially precedent-setting case, an attorney for a local woman is asking a Belknap County family court judge to reconsider a ruling that the woman’s daughter attend public school in Meredith rather than continue with home-schooling.

The Alliance Defense Fund on Wednesday announced that it has filed papers in Laconia asking to reconsider the decision issued last month. John Anthony Simmons, an attorney associated with the Defense Fund, who is representing the 10-year-old girl’s mother, said the judge has also been asked to stay the order so the daughter can continue with her home-schooling while the judge reconsiders the matter. Read more…

Kb Lim asked:


Last year alone, more than one million children in the United States choose homeschooling over traditional education. This stunting figure was released according to the National Center for Education Statistics.

Homeschooling is a recent development in education. Not that long ago, it was considered too radical by many education experts. Nowadays, it is legalized in every state and more than 1 million children has undergone homeschooling and I suspect many more parents are seriously considering homeschooling.

The interesting thing was what prompted such a change? There have been many recent surveys to suggest that parents are getting impatient and fed up with our public schooling system. It is seen as being superficial with no real-life skills being applied and taught.

Parents are also concerned about the negative publicity often portrayed in news. Examples are school students taking drugs in schools, abusing fellow students physically and even students bringing guns and knifes to school. Parents are concerned about the negative peer influence these students cause to their child.

Homeschooling offers an opportunity to end all that and allows parents to bring up their children in a natural and loving environment. I believe homeschooling is especially important in the early years of a child’s development (between three to twelve years old) as this is the period where they are prone to negative influences and peer pressure and cannot differentiate what is right and what is wrong. Homeschooling helps to protect them from such negative influences.

Another benefit of homeschooling is an inevitable bond between the child and the parents. The parents and the child spends more time together forming an unique bond. The bond gets stronger as time passes and later you will find that you can connect with your child better than you never thought before.

Parents can also have better control over the kind of moral and religious beliefs a child should have. Parents can impart their moral values and beliefs to their child easily since they spend more time together.

So what’s stopping parents from adopting homeschooling? For one thing, homeschooling requires a lot of time and money. For most families, both parents needs to be working full-time to support the family. Most homeschooling families I know of is dependent in one parent for the income. The other parent has to devote full-time in homeschooling the child. Therefore in some cases, it is not possible to adopt homeschooling unless you are financially stable.

The other interesting phenomena is that more and more homeschooling support groups are cropping up in your neighbourhood. They help to guide and support each other. Some homeschooling support groups have even gone online. If you do decide to go homeschooling, find a homeschooling support group in your area.



Posted by Nikhil Gupta

Hoosted this week at Homeschool Bytes. Some very cool and stylish images adorn this weeks posts.

Homeschoolers have Style! Lots of it, in all kinds of flavors.

With the freedom homeschooling affords, comes individual style. We can afford to experiment, jump around, take a leisurely path through phonics, or whatever suits our family best.
Check out these styles! Read more…

Via ai.com (Huntsville Times).

Almost every time I tell someone I’m home-schooled, I get the same response: “Do you do school in your pajamas”?

People seem to think home schooling is an easy way out of work. You stay up late, sleep in and never get any schoolwork done.

Not exactly. Read more…