By Kathy Green

Are you enjoying your homeschooling journey? How about your kids? If you are hesitating to answer with a resounding YES, then please take a few moments to read on for encouragement. 

Yesterday, our granddaughter came for a visit with a little one that she often cares for while mom works. These two enjoy stopping in to visit with us whenever they are together, and we are always happy to see them. It’s such a delight to watch young children explore their surroundings. They are natural learners, and they do it so well!

By Brandi Schunk

Our family recently endured a very challenging season. During this time, we went through an unexpected move. I went from being a stay-at-home mom to working full time. The life we knew slipped away and things got turned on their heads pretty quickly. Through it all, we homeschooled, and even managed to complete our school year earlier than ever. In this blog, I’ll share a few tips and words of comfort to hopefully help and support you in navigating your own homeschool year through life’s challenges.

By Angela Hurd 

I have a high school student.  Do I need to cover all the subjects required by state law every year? 

The simple answer is yes.  

Your record-keeping and/or year-end portfolio must show proof that you have covered all of the required subjects.

When we first started homeschooling, I heard of people who “homeschool year-round”, and I

thought they were extremists. I felt sorry for their children who never got a break, who were

driven to educational rigors that no child should have to endure. I pigeonholed these parents as

being excessive and obsessive. And I was wrong on all accounts.

When we started homeschooling, we aimed for the traditional “3 months off” that I was used to,

having been raised in public schools. But what I realized, as our first “summer” went on, was that we were missing the opportunity to capture a lot of really great experiences as part of our required number of days to meet the homeschool requirements. I realized, finally, that “home education” did not need to look like the public schools that I was choosing to avoid by educating my child at home. I realized that we had freedom and flexibility to create our “school” as we wanted it to be, as it suited our family and our needs. I realized these “year-round homeschoolers” were onto something.

Is homeschooling expensive? Depending on your choices, it can be. Homeschoolers need lots of resources at their fingertips to teach and inspire. But it doesn’t have to cost a fortune to create a rich and varied learning environment for your family.  

There is so much available for little or even no cost! Here’s what you need to know to access those resources and stay within you family budget:  

1. Connect with HOME

HOME has many events and resources of its own that will help you trim costs. Be sure to sign up for HOME Email News Updates and join HOME on Facebook to learn more and stay informed. You won’t want to miss a single opportunity. The Annual Maine Homeschool Exchange in Augusta, HOME Inventory Clearance Sales and our silent auctions are all ways to find amazing bargains and discounts on curriculum, field trips, classes, and more!