Volume I  Issue No. 1
October 2007

Welcome to the
Premier Issue
of the new CHN online magazine!

Are you a CHN member?
We need you!
CHN is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization that needs your support.

Please join CHN today!

CHNzine Features

Filing your PSA
CHN legal team

Homeschool Burnout
Loren Mavromati

Expo 2008 -
Get ready!
Karen Taylor

We are all Homeschool Ambassadors
Barbara Carlson

Not Back to School - what does it mean to you?

Time for Mom
Beth Fuller

Expo 2007 slide show!

Did you attend Expo 2007?

We want the Expo to provide homeschooling help to our members, so let us know which speakers and sessions were of most value to you.

Please look over the session list and then let us know.
This information will help us plan Expo 2008.

Email your
feedback to the
CHN Expo Committee today.

Please write soon!

Private online elist where you can easily meet other CHN members.

Used curriculum sales every Friday - buy or sell!

Private chats on the new Grapevine Chat List! We will announce regular topics and invite CHN Grapevine members to join in the chat.

NEW! CHN confidence coaching for homeschooling parents: empowering parents by confirming what they already know.

Contact the Editor

Contact CHN

Spring camping 2007
O'Neill Regional Park

Spring camping 2007
O'Neill Regional Park

Spring camping 2006
Lake Perris

Expo 2007

Grand Prize Winners!
A cool laptop computer from LaptopBroker.com!

Filing your
Private School Affidavit

Getting Started – Who are You to Believe?

An Informational Alert from CHN’s Legal Advocacy Team

Some new homeschoolers refer to the California Department of Education (CDE) as their source of homeschooling information. We want CHN’s members fully informed so that they don’t use the CDE as their definitive resource. The following examples came to our attention this month:

When to file the PSA. The CDE has said that you may file your PSA online as soon as it is activated by them. CHN says: Follow the law and wait until October 1st to file (and file no later than October 15th) for existing schools.

Calling the school district to ask for help. It is being suggested that you call your local school district or the CDE with your homeschooling questions. CHN strongly recommends that you call us instead! We even have a toll free number, 800-327-5339! Not only will you receive more accurate information, you will be speaking directly to a friendly homeschooler with years of experience. The less contact you have with the schools, the better.

Keeping complete attendance records. A CDE employee recently wrote about the attendance keeping requirements. Her requirements were above and beyond what the law says, which is that you are to keep track of the days absent. She also suggested that you record the days and time that you hold class or do other educational activities, presumably so that you would have proof that school had been in session for enough hours that day. If you find it enjoyable, do it, but it’s not required. This same employee said it “can be helpful if the school district staff inquire about your home schooling process”. CHN takes exception to that comment, since private school records are private, and you keep them for you, not for anyone else.

Getting a “real” diploma. In an effort to be helpful (or maybe to scare people into putting their kids in school), a CDE employee recently suggested that parents enroll teens in a public school long enough to earn a PUBLIC high school diploma. Their reasoning is that they say they hear from thousands of people every year whose private school has closed, and the records have been lost. We suggest that you are capable of not losing your child’s records, and that alone is not a good enough reason to put your teen in school! They also suggest that it’s easier to get into college if you have a public school diploma, but there are thousands of homeschoolers who know otherwise!

Help for special ed kids. Do you have a special needs child you would like to homeschool? The CDE will direct you to programs for kids with learning disabilities, but they aren’t providing information about homeschooling these kids. The message some parents might take away is that they need to be in a program, because their child has special needs. Call CHN to learn otherwise!

Call our CHN information line - 800-327-5339

Homeschool Burnout - not you!

As the traditional school year starts, your CHN Local Contacts often hear from new homeschoolers who are excited, and sometimes a little anxious, about getting started on their homeschool journey. They ask questions about legal options and record keeping, but they also want to know about curriculum and places to find field trips and classes. They shop at the teacher supply stores and online and buy all of the items they feel will contribute to their child’s success. They sign up for classes and way too many field trips.

First signs of a burn out. As the year wears on, we hear from these same homeschoolers, and they are exhausted. The curriculum they purchased or the ISP they joined is just too rigid, or their child doesn’t seem to be catching on. They’ve paid for all of these classes, so they feel obligated to go, yet their child is reluctant. They’ve signed up for so many field trips that they have to do “school work” in the evenings. This is the time of year that defines homeschooling for many a newcomer. Some will trudge on and make school-at-home work. Others will become creative with their schedules and lean towards unschooling or eclectic learning. Still others will throw in the towel and return their children to traditional school.

So, how can you avoid burnout? You can make choices in style and curriculum that fit with your child’s natural tendencies. One thing most of us despise about public school is their one-size-fits-all curriculum. It doesn’t matter if it isn’t working for your child. That’s the one they bought, so that’s the one you’ll be using. Homeschoolers must be careful not to fall into that same trap. If you are going to use purchased curriculum, you must be willing to throw it out if it isn’t working for your child. With that in mind, you might want to purchase a less expensive used copy instead of the pricey new one. Or maybe you can borrow a copy from someone in your local support group, or possibly even from your library, to try it out. You may also want to take your child along with you when shopping for curriculum. Something that looks interesting to you may not hold the same appeal for your child.

Tips for using textbooks. If you are using texts, don’t assume you must finish the entire book in a year. Some children will take more time to grasp certain concepts. Homeschooling should allow your children the freedom to learn at their own pace and truly understand the material they are learning. Children also learn in many different ways, so try providing many varied materials. Instead of setting a goal to finish a subject by the end of a semester or year, you may want to set a goal to work on the subject on a regular basis and allow your children to progress through it at their natural pace using all different types of materials.

The natural path. You may also want to consider following a natural, child led path rather than a traditional curriculum. Allow your children to learn the things that interest them at the pace that comes natural to them. Some of us consider ourselves unschoolers, but others unschool for just a few subjects. You might, for example, forego the literature and history texts and instead make regular trips to the library and allow your children to check out books that they want to read. Arrange for trips to living history events, museums and historical sites.

Don’t be a supermom! Try to limit yourself to one or two classes maximum per week. The same goes for field trips. They all look interesting, but if you limit yourself to no more than one a week, you’ll still get to do plenty of them. If you miss a good one, you can arrange to replicate it yourself. Odds are the person organizing it will be happy to share details with you so you can set up the class or trip for a less busy time of the year.

Smell those roses! Taking time out to enjoy the change of seasons and the myriad of holidays this time of year is another way to pace yourself. Seasonal changes, holidays and vacations can all be incorporated into even the most rigid curriculum.

Listen to your instincts! If you’re finding yourself caught up in a schedule that feels too hurried and hectic, pay attention and slow it down. Find a local support group, or create one, and share your frustrations with fellow homeschoolers. Our children learn some of their most valuable lessons by watching how the adults around them conduct their lives. Set a good example by choosing to homeschool in a way that is healthy for both you and your child.

Expo 2008 - Here we come!

- Karen Taylor

Yes it's true! Expo 2008 will soon be announced!
Keep checking CHN’s website, and you’ll be the first to know the exciting details!

We are all Homeschool Ambassadors!

- Barbara Carlson

We are all "Homeschool Ambassadors." Because we 'Know the Code,' we are all capable of serving as sources for accurate information about all the options available to families in California who are interested in providing a home-based learning situation for their child(ren).

At the post office. At the post office the clerk noticed my CHN tote bag I received at an Expo a few years ago. She asked if I homeschooled, and when I said "Yes" asked if I knew of any regional or state-wide homeschooling organizations in California. Her niece was already homeschooling her preschoolers and wanted to continue into elementary school, too, but needed an accurate source of information about her options because a family member who worked in the public schools had said it was absolutely illegal.

Getting your hair cut. The young lady who cut my hair knew about our homeschooling park day group because her friend had been at the park at the same time as our group and was thrilled when the homeschooled kids included her kids in their fun. While waiting for my son's hair cut to be finished, I was enjoying watching a 4-5 year old girl's fun with a mask from a restaurant. I noticed that the mother was reading a book about homeschooling! Naturally I asked if they were a homeschooling family and we had a lovely conversation about the various options and area support groups. She didn't know about the group we participate in so I gave her information about the group.

At the grocery store. The cashier at the grocery store had noticed that my son was usually with me even during the school year and asked what school he went to that had such flexible hours. When I said that my kids learned at home, he asked where I looked for good information about homeschooling.

So many opportunities. Four occasions to have lovely conversations about homeschooling. Four occasions to share about CHN. All made possible by learning about all my options from CHN, all made possible by being confident about our family's educational choices.

Not Back to School
- what does it mean to you?

We asked some homeschooling families this question:
"What does 'Not Back to School' mean to you and your kids?"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Debbie (Mom): My son and I have such a close bond that goes beyond mother and child. I am able to learn with him many, many things which my own school experience as a child never existed. I have filled in so many gaps and holes in my own understanding. I learn from my child as much as he learns from me.

Atticus (9) is forever expressing how much he loves to learn and experience and do things so that rarely a day goes by without him saying "I love my life!" That statement, for me, means that homeschooling is the best lifestyle...the most healthy and successful way for a child to experience life.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Lisa (Mom)
Homeschooling is such a blessing in our lives. I remember how bad I felt as a child when it was time to go back to school. I have two older sons who went to public school and it felt almost as bad to me when summer vacation ended for them. It means so much to me that my youngest doesn't have to go through that. Homeschooling is a family bonding experience. I love knowing where he is, what he is doing, and who he is doing it with. I am learning and re-learning things every day. I honestly feel that my child receives a superior education. It is so great to teach what his interests are. He wanted to learn cursive earlier than the public schools would have taught it. We did it and he excelled. Now, his desire is to learn to cook. It is great to be able to take that desire and turn it into something. It is truly a magical journey.

Teddy (9) It feels good that I can rest in the morning without having to immediately get dressed and do my chores. It feels good to learn a lot more stuff than my mom learned when she was in the grade that I am in. And you also get to meet friends like in school. And you can teach them whatever you would like to teach them. You get to have fun while you are doing school. When my friends go back to school I feel sorry for them because they don't learn as much as I learn. In homeschooling I learn more because I can go faster. Instead of there being 30 kids there is only one.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I asked Austin (7) what he thought about home schooling he said "I like it!" LOL - I guess sometimes he is a kid of few words, but it does say it all!
~Gina

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Crystal (14) says it feels so good to not have to get up to walk 2 miles to school, especially when it's cold out and the wind is blasting you in the face the whole way. Or when it's over 100 out and you have to walk home those 2 miles, when you are already tired from school.
With homeschooling you can eat when you are hungry, sleep when you are tired and ask any questions you want and not feel stupid. She said she is learning more and spending less time to do it.

Levi (7) likes that he can talk while doing his work, and that if he wants to read science with a rap beat, he can. He likes that he can do show and tell whenever he wants. He loves being able to pick what subject he feels like doing, and when Mom rubs his feet while he reads.

Toni (mom) Mom says
I love being the one that sees when my kids learn something, or do something new; rather than get a note from someone else telling me about about another milestone I missed. I love explaining to them in a way that they learn best, so they aren't frustrated and confused. I love spending time with them and watching them learn about everything, as they go through this phase of their life; and watching them feel safe and free from pressure, as they do so.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I can't imagine sending my kids to be with someone else, and 30 other kids exactly his age, for 8 hours a day - and then wondering what was fed to his mind and heart that might not be nourishing. I love that I get to spend all day every day with my children! Yippeee! This is my purpose, my job, and in the whole world I honestly don't think there is a more important job than being a mother and part of being a mother is helping your children learn and achieve what they want to achieve.

Kim :)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Simon (12) said - "not crying at the end of the day because you are so tired, but you still have to do all that homework. Playing with your friends more often. "

Lilly (6) said - "Being able to play instruments."

Nicole (Mom) - I just figured out my kids have no idea what "Not Back To School" means!

Time for Mom

-Beth Fuller

As parents with young children there are times when we all crave a little time to ourselves. What is it about time to ourselves that we crave? Do we need quiet? Do we need rest? Do we need time to think? Do we need time to not think? Once we figure out exactly what "time for yourself" means, it can be much easier to keep your eyes open for those moments that allow us to meet our needs as well as our children's.

For me, it is a matter of changing my perspective. When I feel the need to have "time for myself" it usually means I want a few moments when I do not feel responsible for any other human being. I want to breathe and relax and not have to be "on." I used to seek this out by being away from my family, but that never really worked for me. Now I do it by just shifting my attitude while we are together. When I want to shrug off all my "responsibilities" I just do it by giving myself permission to do it. I can then look around and see my current situation with new eyes. Now instead of "having" to get my daughter a snack, I decide that I do not have to. Once I decide that I don't "have" to do anything, I feel lighter and easier. Once I feel lighter and easier, I usually do not mind getting her a snack.

Times like this are also when we come up with our favorite games. For example, if she were hungry and I did not have it in me to graciously get her a snack, I would come up with some silly or crazy reason that I can't do it. "Oh, I can't get your snack, my legs are stuck together!" She laughs. "No! Really! Help me I am stuck!" We goof around with my "stuck" legs for awhile, and eventually just relaxing and being goofy will have made me feel up to getting a snack again.

Moments like these have also created games like Spa Day where my daughter and I do nails, puts a face masks, give shoulder and foot massages, fix our hair. She loves games like that, and I honestly feel gloriously pampered and happy, no matter how I felt going in. Sometimes when I just want to escape into a good book, I become scenery for her games. For example, I will be her audience for a show, concert or ballet. She will set everything up, get in costume, rehearse...all the while I sit there with her and read until the show starts. When she is ready, I watch the show. Then I go back to reading while she gets ready for the next show.

Other times it is enough to just be there with her. Once I was lying on the floor next to her and she wanted me to play race cars. I was grumpy and out of sorts and did not want to play race cars (it can be very rough on the old knees to scoot around on the floor pushing toy cars for hours) so I offered to be the racetrack. She happily zoomed her cars up and down my back and legs. It felt good, and she was happy to have me involved in the game.

Sometimes, when I am exhausted and she is jumping off the walls, we play Noodle. I am a noodle (all floppy and loose) and she tries to move me or get me to do something. This one always makes her giggle. Another one for when I am exhausted...I lie on the bed with my eyes closed. I usually pretend to snore (because it makes her giggle). She then lies next to me and I pretend to turn over in my "sleep." This means I trap her by flinging my leg over her, or placing her hand under my head anything that prevents her from getting out of bed. She tries to get out of bed without "waking me." So if she starts to wiggle loose, I usually do a great big snore, turn over and trap her in a new way. It is a lovely way for me to relax, while still staying connected and playing with her.

Okay...so games with my daughter obviously fill my need to relax and have time to be "off." I think it has less to do with the games and more to do with how I shift my attitude. There is always a way for me to relax and meet my needs, and the solution for me includes my daughter. Currently I am on a deserted island after a shipwreck. I am frantically trying to send out an SOS! There is a beautiful, pink shark circling my island trying to eat me. Oh, no she is coming to eat me!! I must run away!!!! AAAAAaaaarrrghhhhhhhhhh...

What is the PSA?
A 'Private School Affidavit', or 'PSA' filed by home educating families, is a legal option which informs the CDE of a legal private school.
More answers to your PSA questions can be found here!

Newly updated
'Just the Facts'
 
A Step by Step
Guide to Starting Your Homeschool!