Parents of Children with ADHD Support Group

Hi Nadine!

I homeschooled all three of my children, two through high school and one to Sophomore year. She is now on full scholarship at a pvt. pre-vet school! My eldest is in grad school in art. I am very proud of all of my kids. They all did exceptionally well.

My ds is the one with ADHD. He dropped out of even homeschool in 10th grade, but I made him take an apprenticeship (work study) in place of his more formal book work, and supplemented with other learning activities after that. When he did eventually take his HSED (like a GED), he said he didn't even hardly have to study. He already had learned it all, even having dropped out in 10th grade.

The very first place to begin is to check your state's homeschooling laws. You can find a summary of each state's homeschooling law at HSLDA. This stands for Homeschool Legal Defense Association. It is easy to find your state's laws on homeschooling at their website.

The next step, I believe, is to read up on the different methods of homeschooling. It is a lot different now than when I first started over 20 years ago. We could not even buy curriculum! Now there are hundreds of curriculums available, a plethora of resources online and even satellite schools (even through most state-run public schools at this time).

It would also be a great idea if you could visit someone you or someone else knows who already homeschools, and has for several years. It honestly takes several years before you really get it all together. Well, you never get it ALL together, but after several years, you at least know what WILL get together and what probably never will....ROFL!!!

Do you have a homeschool support group in your area? They are a tremendous asset if you do. Try to find one. It's worth travelling a few miles.

Be sure your whole family is in agreement with the step you are about to take. Homeschooling is definitely a LIFESTYLE. It isn't a 9 to 5 job. It absorbs every waking moment and then some. Your whole life will be ordered around schooling. Be sure your husband (if you have one) is in agreement, because things WILL change.

I guess my first question would be what age is your son?

Do you have a good grasp of where he is in his studies and what concepts he has learned and what ones he hasn't (and I DON'T mean which concepts he has been taught, but which ones he has actually LEARNED). Homeschooling is about learning, not teaching. lol. If you are not sure about these issues, I would give him some tests (available through various sources), or just give him some sample questions to see where his skills lie, or even start him a grade level below where he is now. He'll soon catch up if he is above where you have him. You have a lot of flexibility with home school.

Do you want Christian curriculum or secular or a combination?

If you are interested in teaching Christian curriculum, I'd be glad to give you some ideas and suggestions. I've been doing some "catch up" the last 6 months as I've started my gs in preschool at home. But really, not much has changed in the last 4 years. I can give you some very good ideas on some homeschooling help books, some needed aides (such as a good planner), and some good, basic curriculum and catalogues.

Just to get you started (if you are wanting Christian curriculum), go to www.christianbook.com and request their homeschooling catalogue. Believe me, you'll want the paper copy. It's great, and there are even book revues in it! AND, they are one of the more reasonably priced resource places.

Just like anything else, you can find discounts for homeschool materials by purchasing early, by buying a full year of curriculum, by purchasing "homeschool" packs, etc. from publishers. Once in a great while you can even pick up a great used curriculum, but that is not often.

Well, I've given you some food for thot for starters, and I believe there is at LEAST one other homeschooler on this site, so I hope they respond as well.

Please feel free to message me through the private message system and I'd be glad to help in a lot of other ways. When I first started up I had someone who helped me through the early parts, and I always love to help someone myself. I feel like I am repaying her kindness! :)

God Bless and Best Wishes with your exciting adventure!