Homeschooling is an incredible method of delivering quality education. There are very few educational methods that allow for the same degree of one-one-one, individualized attention to a student’s learning. As many a homeschooling family will tell you, there are an abundance of rewards that come from shaping and forming their children – both academically and personally – through homeschooling. However, it is not without its challenges and should therefore, never be entered into rashly. Looking at the “why” or “why not” issue of homeschooling, there are several things that you will want to have in your personal skill set in order to begin homeschooling. Six, in fact. If you spend time to build a solid foundation with these six “C’s,” your homeschool program will be off to the right start and everyone in your home will be better off because of them.

The first thing that you will need is to have identifiable core values for your home and homeschool. Some things will be foundational to your needs and desires. You must start here. Create a personal vision statement for your homeschool. Identify the skills, traits, and knowledge base that will be the expected results for your children, and then be sure to include the training that they will need along the way. Aim high, but do not waiver on your core values.

Commitment, the next requirement, will also be called for. Once you know what your values are and where you are going with your child, then you will need to make the decisions and choices necessary to fully commit to your homeschool program. This may mean adjusting an income, reducing expenses, juggling careers, or other unique adaptations to fit your program, but the adult members of your family will need to be “sold-out” and dedicated to the goals of your homeschool program. It is also extremely helpful to have the commitment and support of extended family as well.

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