The First Year Of Homeschooling Your Child

OK - so, next update.  Thank you for all of your positive feedback and I do always welcome different views/opinions/challenges too :-).

I just started reading "The First Year Of Homeschooling Your Child" by Linda Dobson and I am SO GRATEFUL SHE WROTE THIS BOOK!  Click on the link below for the Amazon page.  You can preview it as well.

The First Year of Homeschooling Your Child

I've just read the first two chapters today and I gained these takeaways:

1. Build a foundation
• Journal your reasons for researching/considering/doing homeschooling
• Begin to observe your own educational philosophy as it emerges
• Research the legal requirements in your city/state for homeschooling
• Decide how you will assess your child's progress (I have found there are several wonderful and easy ways to do this.  One, through an "Umbrella School" that files your paperwork with the state, conducts independent assessment tests and can help with curricula recommendations for your child's specific learning style & your teaching style - for Colorado it's SHILOH or CHEC or several online Umbrella options.  CHEC and SHILOH are Christian organizations but do not have any denominational bent in their assessments, etc.
• Finally, as the curricula research commences, the pandora's box of spending can occur.  Decide on a budget - then begin the research.
2. The first step is up to you.
• There is no first step of all first steps
• Get comfortable observing yourself and your child in meditation, prayer and lots of PLAY!
• "I wish someone had told me that it is better to jump in, get started, and learn from your mistakes than to sit worrying and trying to decide what to do and how to do it "perfectly." 
• Karyn Scallorn, Stanley, Wisconsin - quoted in the book
• Preparing food for their mind and heart is no less worthy of your time and attention than preparing food for their body.  
• If you realize from the get-go that homeschooling doesn't HAVE to mean "school at home, " if you understand that love for your child will see you through, and if you realize that homeschooling can fit a wide variety of family circumstances and needs, this crash course will get your wheels turning in the right direction... Pg 5
3. Every Day Will Not Be Perfect - take a break and give yourself one...
4. If it feels like you are forcing the learning (you'll know if one or both of you are crying) then it may be the wrong time, curriculum or approach
5. Many reluctant homeschoolers are just plain scared, for all the same reasons you can think of to be scared (ME!!!!!)
6. Spend the majority of time your first year just observing you & your child & getting information yourself.  You will be amazed at how much learning happens.
• Observe this little things too
• what time of day is best for your homeschool to happen?
• when are you and your child the most apt to absorb things?
• What subjects are your child naturally curious about ("academic" or not?)
• How do they explore new things?  Talking? Doing?
• Do they learn better sitting? Standing? Listening to music?
• Learn to just let go and love your kids and their learning style will become easily obvious
7. Be aware that there will be a culture shock and agitation for you (and less likely your child) when there is no externally imposed school schedule and organization.
8. You will never have all of the answers
9. Don't compare yourself to other homeschool moms
10. It's OK to take time off during challenging times.  A day, a week a month.  You'll have no problem catching up and it's better to have that Grace then square peg it.
11. Enjoy being together and relax is the MOST important aspect of the first year.  "What you do does not matter as much as the spirit in which you do it."
12. Be your own guinea pig