Millions of children in the United States are homeschooled.  In fact, Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) projects that this number will reach over 12 million by 2015.  The United States Constitution does not have specific laws concerning education; each state governs education and has its own laws concerning homeschooling.  So, if you’ve considered homeschooling your children, you will only have to learn the laws for your individual state.

Homeschooling laws vary from state to state.  Each state has a mandate to provide an education for its students; many states delegate that authority to the state’s Board of Education.  The state Board of Education wants to ensure that every child receives an adequate education.  Because of this mandate, one Federal law was passed, Equal Education Opportunities Act of 1974.  This law requires that no state can deny any child an education based on their race, color, sex, or national origin.  In other words, every child within every state is guaranteed an education.

While states cannot deny a child an education, it is ultimately up to the parent to choose where that child will attend school – whether public school, private school, or homeschool.  Public schools, and some private schools, are regulated by the state.  However, since a large percentage of homeschool families do so for religious reasons, there are often few regulations for homeschools.

One state law that appears to be universal is the requirement for children to attend school in some fashion during set compulsory ages.  These ages, however, may be different in each state.  Some states require children to be in school from 5 to 17, others 7 to 16; it just depends on the state’s laws.  To determine what your state’s compulsory ages are you can search the internet, or contact HSLDA.

Home School Legal Defense Association, National Home Education Network, and other websites on the Internet, list the homeschool laws for each state.  If you choose to homeschool, it would be advantageous to learn your state’s laws.  After you have begun to homeschool, if you move to another state, especially if you are a military family, you can go back to these sites to find the laws for the new state.

Military families often move several times throughout the length of a soldier’s career.  Many are choosing to homeschool because it is one way to guarantee continuity in their children’s education.  Rather than transferring a child from one school to another, often internationally, a military family that homeschools can continue their child’s education without fear of negative impact.

Choosing to homeschool is not always an easy decision to make.  However, it is legal in each of the fifty states.  You may have to register your intent to homeschool with your local board of education or you may have to turn in portfolios.  Whatever your state requires, just remember that you are allowed by law to homeschool your child, and that there are places to turn if you have questions.

When you first think about homeschooling, you might wonder if you’ll be the only one in your area.  However, with the ever growing number of homeschooling families, that is not likely.  Finding other homeschoolers, however, may not always be easy.  You just need to know where to look.

One place you will probably find other homeschoolers is at local churches.  Although all homeschoolers aren’t Christians, and it certainly isn’t a requirement to homeschool,you may find that many homeschoolers are.  If you don’t currently attend services, you might consider attending a couple of services to see if there are homeschoolers at the local church.

Besides churches, another place to find a homeschooling family would be the public library.  Many homeschoolers use the library as a source for learning materials.  Go to the library and see if you find children there during normal school hours.  If you find children, most likely they are homeschooled and a parent is sure to be nearby.  You could also ask the librarian if she knows of any homeschoolers.  Most likely she will because they will be some of her best patrons.

If you take your kids to the park during school hours, you’ll probably run into at least one homeschooling family there enjoying the sunshine and fresh air.  Or they might be picking up leaves for a nature book, or finding other items to use in a school project.  In any case, local parks are a great place to find homeschoolers.

You might find a homeschooling family at the grocery store while you’re doing your own shopping.  Many homeschoolers use real life circumstances to teach rather than just depending on books.  So, if you see children standing around the meat freezer with calculators, it’s likely they’re doing comparison shopping for their math lesson.

The Internet is another place to find homeschoolers in your area.  Try doing a search on one of the common search engines for “homeschool groups (your city).”  If that doesn’t work, expand your search to include your county and then your state.  Since there are homeschoolers in every state of the union, surely you’ll find someone close by.  On the outside chance that you don’t find anyone locally, don’t give up.  You can still find support online through any number of Yahoo homeschooling groups.

When searching for homeschooling families locally, don’t be afraid to approach a family that you see out and about during school hours.  Most homeschoolers are used to being asked why their children aren’t in school.  They probably won’t be offended and asking questions is a great way to meet new acquaintances.  Keep an eye out for them; you may find there are more homeschoolers in your area than you first thought.

Direct Answers from Wayne and Tamara

Speed Dating

I am a 19-year-old college freshman who has never been married. I am actually dating my first boyfriend, but that is by choice, because I never wanted to be a part of the high school drama scene. I wanted a mature relationship that transcended all that.

However, I seem to have gotten myself far too deeply into something I am not ready for. I have been dating my boyfriend for almost three months. He?s 21, and we get along wonderfully. I am not his first girlfriend, but the first girlfriend he ?really wanted.?

Just a few days into our relationship, he told me he loved me, and kept saying it, though I never responded in kind. After four weeks, I did finally tell him I loved him. I thought I meant this. However, since then, he?s come to mention quite often plans for the future. Plans such as marriage after we both finish college, children, names for those children, and more.

I am not ready for this. I cannot definitely say I want to spend the rest of my life with him, though he is completely enamored with me. I?m also worried, because I have not known how to respond, and in saying nothing, I believe he has read my assent.

I am truly scared I?ve led him on. This is not something I can accept of myself, since I honestly do care for him. I don?t want to hurt him, but I will continue to lead him on if I don?t say anything.

Bobbi

Bobbi, ancient artists drawing on cave walls didn?t sign their work. They couldn?t because they didn?t have a written language. Instead they put their hand against the cave wall, took color in their mouth, and blew. The outline of their hand is the mark they left for us.

Lovers also leave a mark?on each other. When your boyfriend said ?I love you,? he put his mark on you. When you said it back to him, you put your mark on him, even though you had your doubts. The problem with marks is, if love isn?t there on both sides, then the relationship has missed the mark.

In sociology there is a term called the ?norm of social reciprocity.? That simply means we feel obligated to give back to others what they give to us. It?s called a norm because if we violate it, if we don?t give back, we feel we have done something wrong.

When social reciprocity involves sharing or being polite, there is nothing wrong with it. But it has a dark side. It can be used to take advantage of us. When your boyfriend kept saying ?I love you,? it created the expectation that you had to say it back to him. Eventually you succumbed.

?I love you? is also an implied promise. It says I will behave in certain ways toward you, now and in the future. Since people are supposed to stick to promises, you feel bad about pulling back now. But if you don?t, you will grow weaker as a person, and farther from your true feelings.

You went to college to learn things, and one of the most valuable things you can learn is how to say no. You have a chance, through your education, to secure your future. That is an opportunity many young women don?t have. So grab that brass ring and put it in your pocket, knowing that economic freedom gives a woman the power to make wise decisions all of her life.

One of the marks of maturity is the ability to do the right thing, even though it is a hard thing. We totally understand not wanting to trifle with another, but if your boyfriend has moved too far forward, that?s on him. The norm of social reciprocity is no substitute for the mark of genuine love.

Wayne & Tamara

Authors and columnists Wayne and Tamara Mitchell can be reached at www.WayneAndTamara.com.

Send letters to: Direct Answers, PO Box 964, Springfield, MO 65801 or email: DirectAnswers@WayneAndTamara.com

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Two year olds get a bad rep. Everywhere you look and listen you read and hear about the so-called “Terrible Twos.” To be fair, many young tots are going through a phase of disequilibrium at age 2 1/2, according to many child development experts.

Add to that the fact that most parents are trying to potty train at this age, and Mom may be pregnant or already have another child, and it’s no wonder the 2’s can be a bit challenging.

Here are a few tips to help you deal with your toddler and even enjoy this phase!

1) Remember that a toddler is nothing more than a baby on wheels.
Meaning, toddlers are active and can get into a whole lot of trouble, fast… yet they’re still so immature emotionally. That’s why tantrums are so common at this age. Toddlers have a hard time dealing with the overwhelming emotions they experience. Reading about the developmental milestones children are reaching at this age can help.
2) Don’t forget babywearing. Or perhaps we should call it Toddlerwearing!
Wearing your 2 to 3 year old in a soft cloth carrier, backpack or sling can still be a huge lifesaver. When your toddler is tired, overstimulated or otherwise out of sorts, wearing them will help them to settle down and maybe even go to sleep! The same is certainly true of breastfeeding. Dubbed “baby Prozac” by many, nursing can soothe the boo-boos and help a reluctant napper settle down.
3) Take care of Mom.
By the time the baby is a toddler, we moms often expect life to get back to “normal”. We think that we should have it all together, be back at our prepregnancy weight, and have the house spotless like it was before baby came into the picture. This is unrealistic, especially for a mom who is expecting another baby and caring for a 2 year old! Life with a toddler is often more fatiguing because toddlers are heavier, require more supervision and discipline, and now that they’re mobile they create much more housework too!
Mom would do well to not expect too much of herself and to make sure she’s taking a break from her duties once in awhile.  Most toddlers are getting closer to their Dads and Grandparents, so asking these loving people to take over for a few hours so you can read a book, exercise or nap is a priority.