7 Habits of Highly Effective Homeschoolers

1. Have a vision. Why do you do what you do? Proactive visions are easier to stick by than reactionary visions. Start with the end in mind. What kind of person socially, emotionally, physically, intellectually do you want to be interacting with at the end of your homeschooling endeavor?

2. Gather your stuff. Educational supplies like blackboards and whiteboards, pencils, paper, books, CD's, scissors and curriculum. It can be complicated and expensive or simple and free. Be intentional. Serve up feast instead of famine food.

3. Use your stuff. If you don't use the stuff you've gathered it goes from being educational supplies to junk. Plan your work and work your plan.  Having self discipline is essential.  Having a yearly, weekly, daily, seasonal schedule is helpful.

4. Laugh out Loud. Don't take everything so seriously. Work your plan and then give it time to take hold.  Life is serious stuff, keep laughing at the little things, with each other, at yourself.

5. Read voraciously. I mean you, as the teacher. Keep learning and growing. Read to your kids, outloud and for hours.  Require them to read, every day. Have them read words that stir their soul.

6. Converse about everything. Your vision, hopes, dreams, what you are reading, your faith, sex, politics, money, the state of the union, your love story, God's love story.

7. Share your faith.   How does your faith affect you, change you, grow you, challenge you, comfort you, invigorate you.  How do you live it? Live it. Include your kids.