I've received so many e-mails from families in the same situation and not knowing where to start. To try and help this process, bearing in mind...

The best advice I can give you is ... STOP! Stop and think. Stop listening to everyone else's opinion and let's find out which curriculum is best for you and your family.

Homeschooling: Take A Deep Breath - You Can Do This!

This book is written by Terry Bittner,freelance writer and home-schooling mom, and she views Homeschooling as "parenting in its highest form." The book covers things like gaining confidence and success as you homeschool, from the preliminary stages (convincing self, spouse and family that home-schooling is possible, dealing with its legal aspects, finding support groups, gathering supplies) through experimentation (finding the best pedagogical methods, understanding children's different learning styles) to mastery (teaching reading, composition, math—even if, long ago, you flunked algebra—history and science as well as "values, religion, electives").

Her advice is sensible and direct. The part I loved and that helped me was the answers to what she calls the "stupid questions" (Will the kids be properly socialized?) and faces up to the "bad stuff " ("Some days you and your children will be sick of each other"). This book is friendly, reassuring and endlessly supportive, and Terry shares everything from family anecdotes to sample school-day schedules and lists of supplementary resources.

Homeschooling: Take A Deep Breath - You Can Do This!

Now once you've made the decision to Homeschool and you're out there looking for a Home Schooling Curriculum. Always bear in mind that every Homeschool family is different. Your neighbour's choice of home schooling curriculum may work brilliantly for her, but not suit you at all. There is a home schooling program out there to suit everyone, it's just a matter of knowing what you want from you home schooling curriculum.

When choosing a Homeschool curriculum two of the most important considerations for me are... your needs and the needs of your child. I cannot stress this enough. Your needs are as important as you child's needs. You'll be the one teaching the home schooling curriculum. You have to feel comfortable with your choice. Don't make the mistake of choosing a home schooling curriculum that appears ideal for your child, if you cannot cope with the time and personal resources needed to achieve the ideal. You and your child will both suffer in the long run.

To establish these needs and to come to a final decision I've found the following questions quite helpful,it's worth writing them down, things seem to be clearer when written :

• What do I see as the end goal for my child's education?
• Do I want to concentrate on an academic home schooling curriculum, a creative home schooling curriculum or a combination of the two?
• What is my belief system?
• What are my Religious beliefs, if any?
• Do I want to teach my children my belief system as part of their home schooling program?
• Do a want a home schooling curriculum that demands a strict schedule or a more flexible schedule?
• What is my budget? Remember you'll not only be buying the home schooling program. You'll be buying everything from crayons to science experiment kits! And don't forget the field trips! Some Homeschool Curriculum actually provide you with virtual field trips which you can experience on your computer.