Giving Back to the Homeschool Community

Once you’ve homeschooled for a couple of years, you may be in a position to help people who are considering homeschooling or who are homeschooling. This series has some ideas for ways that you can give back to the homeschooling community, as well as best practices for doing so. If there is a topic you would like to see addressed, please let us know by commenting on one of the posts or on our Facebook page.

#1 Tip for Organizing Homeschool Activities

You float an idea on a homeschool email list or a Facebook group:

“I’m planning a field trip to Smith Historical Farm on the morning of April 10. I can get a group rate if we have 20 kids, and they’ll do special hands-on projects with the children.”

You give the details, and people say “count us in,” giving a headcount of 32 children for the field trip.

The day before the field trip, emails start flying with all the reasons people can’t be there. You go anyway, embarrassed to find that only 11 kids are there, and two of them are technically too young to participate. The Smith Historical Farm people are nice, but point out that you no longer qualify for the group rate, meaning that each family is now going to pay double what they expected. Continue reading »

TheHomeSchoolMom Blog: 3 ways old homeschoolers can help new homeschoolers

New Homeschoolers Need Old Homeschoolers

What do new homeschoolers need from “old” homeschoolers?

In a previous post in my “Homeschoolers Helping Homeschoolers” series, I suggested that providing new homeschoolers with information is better than giving directive advice — but what else is helpful?

If you are an established homeschooler reaching back to assist new homeschoolers, in addition to offering basic information about homeschooling — offer Support, Resources, and Inspiration.

What are the best way to provide support? Continue reading »

TheHomeSchoolMom Blog - Helping Homeschoolers: Why you should give information, not advice

Helping Homeschoolers: Information, Not Advice

If you’ve homeschooled for a couple of years, you may be in a position to help people who are considering homeschooling or who are in their first year or two of homeschooling.

Chances are, by now, you’ve learned a lot of content for answering homeschooling questions. You know your state law. You know six or eight different approaches to homeschooling. You’ve examined ten math curricula in detail. You’ve seen the transcripts of homeschoolers who have gained admission to college.

So you have information to share.

But do you know the best technique for communicating homeschooling information to interested parents? Continue reading »

13 Ways You Can Help Your Library Help Homeschoolers

Thirteen Ways to Help Your Library Help Homeschoolers

It’s National Library Week, and homeschoolers love libraries!

If you’re looking for a way to provide a service for homeschoolers in your community, consider becoming a liaison between your library and homeschoolers. Continue reading »