2.) Decide with your child the depth and duration of topical studies. To skim the main ideas or to delve into the deepest detail of whatever topic!

3.) Never again be a slave to the school year or the school day: go to the grocery store and the amusement park when you want to, not the same week as everyone else!

4.) Be the major influence in the shaping of your child, instead of his peer group!

5.) For the ability to take advantage of all the opportunities for interesting, character-shaping talks with your child as they arise.

6.) Delight in the fact that your children will be able to interact and converse with all age groups, not just their own.

7.) For the fact that your kids will be able to investigate “community helpers” and business owners in person, instead of through a worksheet.

8.) To know your child can answer the questions of strangers and relatives with more than a few noises or a noncommittal shrug, that they know the reasons behind decisions and how to enunciate them.

9.) For the freedom to educate the way you see fit- be it stringently organized and monitored or loosely flowing from skill to skill.

10.) For the community of similarly-believing families and the support that comes from those who understand the difficulties and joys of such a lifestyle-shaping choice.

11.) For the joy of spending each day with the children you love and observing them as they journey to adulthood.

12.) For the assurance that no other teacher could ever care more or try harder than the one your children had… you.

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Teresa Dear is a homeschooling mother of four. She and her husband do not worry about socialization. You can follow the blog exploration of Classical Christian Education in general and their homeschool lifestyle in particular at http://highereducation-mama4x.blogspot.com. Teresa divides her time between education, the home, shopping for curriculum, and stocking her www.mama4x.etsy.com storefront where you can find handmade cards and vintage photos.

Your child will start showing signs when he does not like school. Red flags may appear in his attitude, action, and work. He might even come out and say he doesn’t like it with words that none of us like to hear. He might just be having a bad day. But when the problem continues day after day, it’s time to do something about it.

Step one - Completely ignore the undesirable actions, as long as he’s not hurting anyone.  He doesn’t need any attention, negative or positive, as a reward.

Step two - Recognize with in yourself that it’s not working for him, and you need to make some changes.  Keep it to yourself, don’t tell him about it just yet. Think back over the last few days, or weeks. At what times, in what subjects have these signs been showing up? Try to make as complete a list as you can.  If there was a final blow up, what triggered it? Write down all your findings and conclusions.

Step three – Take a break. Stop school for a day. Do something the child enjoys. Now here’s the most important thing.  Don’t connect it in any way to the bad behavior of the child.  Make up an excuse. “Aunt Betty needs some help today. Let’s take the day off and go visit.”

Step four - Call the  family together when every one is happy and there are no pressing emotional issues. The dinner table would be a good time. It’s important at this stage to keep a positive discussion. Start with one person, preferably one that has been having a good time at school. Ask “what do you like about school?”  Write down the exact words of the answer. Ask another child and write down the answer.  Continue until everyone has given two or three answers.

Now ask “What can we do to make school better?” Again, make no reference or connection to the targeted negative behavior. Write down the suggestions even if they are unreasonable or unrealistic. Children have big imaginations.

Step five – Take the child aside to a private place where you can be alone with him. This is between the two of you. Ask him for specific reasons why he’s done what he’s done or why he does not like school. Keep this private.  He doesn’t need everyone giving their opinion or criticism. Ask what subjects are hard, which are easy.  Are lessons too long, not plain, or is there not enough time. Write everything down.

Step six – Using all the data you’ve collected, let the child help you come up with a new schedule.  If he’s suggested things that are out of the question, like having recess all day, explain that it won’t work. Allow a little longer time for subjects and projects that he enjoys. Take each of the other children in for a similar private conference. They don’t have to do something bad to get a little of your time and attention.

Step seven - Write up a new school schedule with the whole family.  Let them know what changes will be made.  Thank them all for their help.

Step eight - Make the new schedule happen as close to the way you wrote it as possible.  Don’t let yourself slide back into the old habits.

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Lily Ann is a mother to six bright children. She has enjoyed great success in the area of homeschooling. She is always looking for ways to improve and loves to learn new things.

Burn-out is usually characterized by, among other things, low frustration tolerance, an inability to focus, loss of interest/joy in activities, and of course, low energy or enthusiasm. If you’re finding yourself suffering from some of these symptoms, here are some areas to examine and adjust so you can extinguish exhaustion and get your energy back!

Are you getting adequate quiet time first thing in the day?

I have to tell you right up front – I’m a Christian. The first thing I do each day is spend a few minutes in prayer and Bible reading. Some days it’s not much, but even then, I leave strengthened, grounded and ready to focus. No matter what your spiritual orientation, however, quiet time is useful for getting your act together and getting ready for whatever’s coming down the road that day!

What’s your schedule look like?

Are you planning too much for yourself? For the kids? One of the things that can be most exhausting is constantly trying to get the kids moving to the “next thing”. If there’s too much on the calendar, everybody moves in slow motion eventually – and having to keep pushing everybody can be lethal for mom’s energy level. Some evening, write down everything you have planned for each day of the week, and then take out your red pen and cross some stuff out! I had a good friend who always used to ask me “It’s all ‘good’, but what’s the ’best’?”

Are your sleep needs being met?

This seems like an obvious question, but in my experience, when there’s too much to do in a day, my bedtime is the first thing I push back – bad idea! You know that saying “When mama’s not happy, nobody is”? Well, when mama’s tired, she’s not happy! Take a few nights to experiment with how much sleep you need. If you’re sleep deprived already, it may take more than “a few” nights! Most health professionals agree an adult needs at least 7 hours to function well.

Take a look at your diet; consider vitamins or supplements

Even with a good diet, the foods we eat today are full of hormones, fertilizers and other chemicals. A good multi-vitamin is a must for busy moms; check with your health professional to see if other supplements may be necessary for you.

Do you get outside and get some exercise – every day?

I find that if I get a mid-afternoon slump, my best defense is a walk around the block with the kids, or raking leaves, or a jump on the trampoline. Besides the boost in energy that comes from it, I’m making fun memories with my kids.

If none of these tips work for you, it may be time to see your doctor. Chronic exhaustion may indicate a more serious issue. And your health is critical to functioning at your personal best. Homeschooling demands our best, even in the best of health, and no matter what your reasons for homeschooling, don’t you want to give your family the best you can?

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Pat Fenner offers encouragement to homeschoolers.

Some of the ways that you can get your motivation are also going to be determined by what is going on in your life at the time and how your health is holding up. If you have been sticking to the same type of schedule for an extended period of time, then a time to change that schedule is now.

Having the same schedule constantly is definitely one of the ways to find yourself feeling this way all of the time. So instead of starting your day at 8 a.m. every day, try an earlier time or a later time. Be sure that if you do this you are informing your child of the change so that they are not thrown off guard and feel free to explain to them why there is a need for the change.

The next thing to do is change the order in which you start the daily studies. For example, if you typically start your day with reading, change that to doing math. One of the things I used to do to get me motivated and make every day different and unique is to ask my child what they wanted to start with everyday. They do not always want to start out with math or reading every day and this way, I was able to accommodate them as well as keeping me on my toes because I never knew what their choice of first topic was going to be.

If after trying some of these suggestions, you feel as though you still are not motivated enough, then that is actually a sign that you really do need a break. After all the kids in school take breaks all of the time and being a homeschooler is no different. You do need a mental break from all of that knowledge and your children will be sure to appreciate that break as well.

Set a reasonable time frame and make plans to go do something that is completely nothing but fun!

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Melissa Murdoch has a passion for life span development and education, and believes wholeheartedly that a healthy society begins at home.