Welcome to Mom Tips

Limit Television Viewing

Watching too much television can distract your kids from doing their homework. Discuss with your child limiting television viewing to one or two hours per day. Make sure that what they watch is appropriate for their age level

Study Habits

Make your kids do their homework together and in front of you. Try sitting down at the dinner table. Allow them to talk to one another occasionally and consistently offer help. Also, try to let the older child help the younger. This way the older children will feel proud about what they know and the younger will aspire to learn more.

Why Aren´t Your Kids In School?

If you´re out with the kids, and someone asks why they´re not in school, reply with enthusiasm "Oh, we´re homeschoolers - we have a nice, flexible schedule!" They´ll either agree, or just stare in wonder at your great attitude.

I´ll Love You Forever

Robert Munsch has done it again! Grab a kleenex before you start this one. Great book to include with a baby shower or Mother´s Day gift!

Home Education Resources

Check your local library for information on local support groups, and books on home education.

Why? Why? Why?

Answer your child´s "why" questions with patience and understanding. This is building their encyclopedia of knowledge.

Encouragement

Give yourself some credit! You taught your child to walk and talk. What makes you think you can´t teach him/her to read or write?!

I Love You the Purplest

Author Barbara M. Joosse has done an amazing story showing how one mother divides her love equally and fairly between very different children. Sibling rivalry abounds, but you, too, can deal with it successfully after trying her methods. Parental assistance required until about the middle/end of Grade 1.

Home Education Support

Join a support group, or email list. Most home educating families love to share information and their experiences.

Homeschooling Hours of Operation

If you homeschool your kids, discourage visitors, including your preschooler´s friends, during school hours. A clock-type sign on the door with a message such as "School´s out at Noon" will help others respect your schedule.

Preschool Favorites with a Life Message

The entire "Berenstain Bears" series by Stan and Jan Berenstain, are valuable additions to your child´s library. The titles reflect the themes well, e.g. "... And Too Much Junk Food", "Learn about Strangers", and "Forget Their Manners". Very entertaining and easily accepted by youngsters. Requires parental assistance until about Grade 2 for reading.

Highly Recommended Book on Child Safety

Do you worry about the dangers your children will face in "the outside world?" The best parenting book I´ve ever read is Protecting the Gift by Gavin de Becker. It is essential reading for any parent -- Mr. de Becker teaches you how to protect your child from molesters and abusers, how to listen to your intuition, and how to teach your child the safety skills he or she needs to prevent them from becoming another criminal statistic. At times, it is terrifying to read, but absolutely necessary.

Record Keeping Strategy

When sending in your letter of notification to your local school district, always use Return Receipt mail. That way you´ll have proof that your letter was delivered.

Home Education for Disabled Kids

Children with disabilites can be home educated. There are support groups that can provide you with information and encouragement.

Tutoring

If your child is having difficulty in a particular subject and you are unable to help, consider enlisting the aid of a tutor. See if their is an older child within the neighborhood that could help out.

Dealing with Skepticism

Sometimes, it doesn´t pay to convince skeptics. Your good example will be the key in the long run.

Books for Bored Kids

The "I Spy" series of picture books will appeal to children age 3 and up. The picture graphics are a phenomenal background for a twist on the hide and seek game. Some parental assistance required.

Learning Styles

There are many learning styles. Read about the differences in auditory learning, kinesthetic learning and visual learning. Your child may lean strongly toward one way, or any combination of the above.

Homeschooling Use of Space

When homeschooling, designate certain areas as school space. You will need a bookcase, a file cabinet with hanging files and folders, desk space for seat work, and a larger project area (save all shoeboxes!). Take advantage of other people´s space as well. Go to the library for research projects, the park for painting, or grandma´s house if she has the piano.