Keeping with the theme of simplicity, this is one of my favorite resources, but I'll tell you, they can also get as complicated as you desire!

I believe schooling our children should be a natural extension of serving Jesus, even with the current popularity of homeschooling it is important to remember that our identity is in Christ, not in the things we do for Him.

Finding ourselves is not the goal, finding HIM is.

"And anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it." Matthew 10:38-39

I loved this from my friend Lisa, you can read more on her blog at http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/carolinametzgers Since I was raised in a "pioneer" homeschooling family, it has given me so many opportunities to observe, experience and debate the homeschooling vs. socialization issue. By far, it is the most criticized and worried about subject pertaining to homeschooling. I have many, many articles on socialization with homeschoolers and the studies done by non-homeschoolers that prove that the outright majority of homeschoolers are getting more real-life socialization than their public school counterparts. For instance, homeschoolers are socialized VERTICALLY, rather than HORIZONTALLY. They socialize with their peers, as well as their 4 year old sibling and the 16 year old neighbor down the street. They can even successfully carry on a conversation (yes, an actual conversation) with an adult. Now, when any child reaches adult hood, will he be then socializing horizontally or vertically? Which is more practical for "real life?" After all, isn't "real life" what we're preparing our children for entering, whether homeschooled or otherwise? If so, homeschoolers are right on track! The horizontal socialization vs. vertical socialization is my favorite defense for homeschooling! I always have that one tucked away for my defense of my choice of education. Some other good socialization points are as follows: Research conducted by Michael Brady entitled Social Development in Traditionally Schooled and Homeschooled Children, a Case for Increased Parental Monitoring and Decreased Peer Interaction endorses this idea. Brady states, "There seems to be an overwhelming amount of evidence that children socialized in a peer-dominant environment are at higher risk for developing social maladjustment issues than those that are socialized in a parent monitored environment." Research supports this. According to Home Schooling and the Question of Socialization by Richard G. Medlin, "Home-schooled children are taking part in the daily routines of their communities. They are certainly not isolated; in fact, they associate with--and feel close to--all sorts of people." Hope that helps! Lisa Metzger, wife to Mark (a financial advisor) 2nd Generation Homeschool Mom to: Annalise (14 - adopted from Kazakhstan at 10), Kaitlyn (6 1/2), Ethan (5 1/2) and Julia Claire (9 months) & MORE TO COME (God-Willing)! http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/carolinametzgers/

The following is an article by Colette Longo she can be reached here http://groups.yahoo.com/group/RobinsonUsers4Christ/

10 Homeschooling Tips

1) Keep everything as simple as you can. Jesus wrote with a stick in the dirt, and He was the greatest teacher that ever lived. He used no curriculum or flannel graphs or lesson plans. Homeschooling can be made far more complicated than it should be. A simpler approach is much more effective.

2) Stick to the 3 R's. They form the foundation of life-long learning in every field because they are the tools of study. There will be no need to formalize any other subject if the children are doing their best in these 3, because people who are well grounded in reading, writing and math will approach other subjects boldly, independently and confidently.

3) Let the children teach themselves as much as they are able to. This teaches them responsibility, intellectual independence, and builds confidence. It's also better for the parent/child relationship because you can focus on parenting instead of playing schoolteacher.

4) Use the most direct method available. For reading, read. For writing, write, for math, do it, and for Bible, read it. Don't fall for catchy curriculums or methods that are really just something else for you and your child to learn.

5) Don't worry about your child's age or grade. Just let him do the best he can each day. Children grow intellectually like they do physically: in spurts. Although we may have an audience of skeptical relatives, homeschooling is not a circus, and we refuse to train our children to do tricks for people.

6) Minimize distractions in the home. Watch for excessiveness in entertainments, snacking, outings, phone conversations, internet and computer time, and the like. These sorts of things can easily get out of hand and compete with the effectiveness of a homeschool and sap the family of time and energy.

7) Seek quality over quantity. A few tapes of great music, a small case of carefully chosen books, a few special play mates, and an occasional outing is better than a large, but poor quality collection.

8) If you must document your school activities, do it after the fact. This way you will not make promises you cannot keep. If you are required to make lesson plans, be as vague as permissible. Don't let transcripts, diplomas, records and tests determine your academic plans. Focus on learning and the rest will follow.

9) Put the needs of your youngest, most vulnerable children first. If an older child gets a little behind in school, I'm sure you can forgive yourself, and catching up and regaining ground is not impossible, and simply is a part of life, and that in itself will be a valuable skill taught to them! But if something happened to the toddler while you were busy homeschooling, or if you'd missed precious nurturing moments for those who need attention the most at the moment, it's harder, if not impossible to regain those things!

10) Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind and soul and don't neglect to seek him early...giving him the first fruits of your day and teach your children to do the same. I know that you are tired and that there aren't enough hours in your day, but we serve a God who can make the sun stand still.