Lisa Whelchel - So Youre Thinking About Homeschooling: : Fifteen Families Show How You Can Do It

The characters, incidents, and dialogues in this book are products of the authors imagination.
Any resemblance to actual events or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

SO YOURE THINKING ABOUT HOMESCHOOLING
published by Multnomah Books
A division of Random House, Inc.
2005 by Lisa Whelchel

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from The Amplified Bible 1965, 1987 by Zondervan Publishing House. The Amplified New Testament 1958, 1987 by the Lockman Foundation.

Focus on the Family is a registered trademark of Focus on the Family.

Multnomah is a trademark of Multnomah Publishers and is registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. The colophon is a trademark of Multnomah Publishers.

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any meanselectronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwisewithout prior written permission.

For information:
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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Whelchel, Lisa.
So youre thinking about homeschooling / by Lisa Whelchel.
p. cm.
eISBN: 978-0-307-56345-3
1. Home schoolingUnited States. 2. EducationParent participationUnited States.
I. Title.
LC40.W517 2003
371.042dc21

2002156086

v3.1_r1

It is a privilege to dedicate this book to
my husband and partner,
Steve.

Thank you for taking such good care of us
and providing a home where we can live, love, and learn.
We are honored to call you the head of our household.

P ROVERBS 17:6
the glory of children is their fathers.

A faithful friend is an invaluable part of every homeschoolers life. A friend buoys your spirits when you are facing tasks that seem too big for the moment. She tells you the truth when you need to hear it. And most of all, she listens and understands.

Lisa Whelchel proves herself a faithful friend to those who are contemplating the big question: Should we homeschool our kids?

Lisa tells you the truth about homeschooling. She has listened to the joys and tribulations of more than a thousand homeschooling families, and by taking you into the lives of several composite families, she paints an accurate picture of the struggles you can expect and the sacrifices which may be required. But most importantly, Lisa is telling you the truth when she says that whatever the struggle, the rewards make it all worthwhile.

I have met Lisa, Steve, and their homeschooled children, and I can tell you she is truthful about them as wellher kids are just as delightful as she says. But Lisa is careful to make a couple of other very important points that you should keep in mind as you consider the needs of your own family:

1. Every child is truly different.

2. There is no one right way to homeschool.

If you decide to homeschool, pick an approach that is right for your familys situation and for the needs of your children.

First of all, let me assure you that every family portrayed in this book is quite lawful in their approach to homeschooling. No state mandates a particular form of teaching (e.g., traditional, textbook, classical). While there are legal details that must be consideredfor example, some states do require that the childs own parent do the teachingany parents who choose to diligently homeschool their children have a constitutional right to do so.

So how do you pick the right approach for teaching your children? You can visit a number of websites or go to a curriculum fair and learn about the various options. But one of the best ways is to hear from the people who have walked this path before, people who have already explored and family-tested the many different possibilities. The stories in this book are told from the hearts of the moms and dads who have lived them.

So Youre Thinking About Homeschooling is a great introduction to home education. Open the book and you will also find a good friend in Lisa.

Michael Farris

President, Patrick Henry College

Founder and Chairman,

Home School Legal Defense Association

They say you should save the best for last. If that is true, then this should be the final page. Acknowledging the gratitude I feel for all those who help me is my favorite part of writing books.

Steve. You put the home in homeschooling for me. Im grateful that I get to partner with you in ministry, family, and life.

Tucker, Haven, and Clancy. Im so proud of you! I am extremely blessed to have the luxury of staying home with you all day. What a joy to be your mom!

Anastasia Jov. You are the young adult every homeschool mom hopes her child grows up to become. Your care and example have been a gift to my children and me.

Megan Morrow, Jan Dickson, and Laura Pierce. Thank you for homeschooling my kids while I wrote a book about homeschooling my kids.

Cyber Prayer Warriors. Thank you for lifting this book and me before the Father with such faithfulness. I have rested in your prayers and His answers.

Robert Miller and Summerfield Suites by Wyndham. My home away from home these last few months. Thank you for providing such a comfortable place to write.

Multnomah Publishers. I am very impressed by you, each and every one. Don, your sensitivity to follow the Lords leading at all costs has allowed Him to build a company of integrity and excellence.

Bill Jensen. I cant imagine myself writing books without youI dont even want to think about it. You have stood by me from the very beginning, and I sure hope youll stay with me till the end.

David and Peggy Webb and Renee DeLoriea. With the mind of an editor and the soul of a parent, you each have imprinted the words in this book with both your skill and heart.

Focus on the Family. For years I have supported you and what you are doing. Im humbled that you would believe so much in me.

Ron Smith. Ive always looked up to you in business. Looking down at you lately, because youve been on your knees, has only built you up more in my eyes.