| Many parents put a great deal of effort into selecting | | | | Many thousands of parents do this every day and |
| the right school for their children, and often make | | | | everybody misses out as a result. Why not try doing |
| considerable sacrifices to save enough money to send | | | | things slightly differently. |
| their children to a good college, because there is no | | | | First, you can start by getting the kids to help you to |
| doubt that providing a good education for a child is one | | | | prepare supper instead of sitting glued to a mindless |
| of the best ways of ensuring a successful career and | | | | box. Sending your kids out into the world knowing how |
| a secure and happy adult life. However, in many cases | | | | to make toast and not a lot else isn't much help but |
| this focus on school and college results in parents | | | | getting them interested in cooking will provide them |
| neglecting another very important element of a child's | | | | with a much needed life skill. |
| education - that of teaching children at home. | | | | Second, it gives both you and the kids an opportunity |
| Day to day family life presents parents with dozens of | | | | to talk - something which is missing in far too many |
| opportunities to teach children things that they will find | | | | households. Letting your kids share their successes |
| not only interesting but also helpful as the grow up and, | | | | and failures at school, simply listening to what's on their |
| despite the fact that in many households both parents | | | | mind and letting them ask you about your own |
| are busy people with careers of their own, it's | | | | experiences and seek your advice is invaluable for |
| surprising just how easy it is to make the time needed | | | | both parent and kids. What's more you'll be surprised |
| for your children if you spend just a little bit of time | | | | how many problems you can avoid simply by knowing |
| organizing your daily schedule. | | | | what your kids are doing, what they're thinking and |
| Teaching your children at home doesn't mean sitting | | | | how they're feeling. |
| down with them in a formal 'school-like' setting but | | | | Thirdly, it's a great way to relax! Relaxation after a |
| simply means thinking about everyday activities and | | | | long day at work doesn't mean flopping down on the |
| using these to provide the teaching materials you need. | | | | couch for an hour or two, it simply means a change of |
| Teaching children at home doesn't have to be boring | | | | scene. Putting your working day behind you and |
| either and can be a great deal of fun for both parents | | | | enjoying the company of your kids is one of the best |
| and children. | | | | ways to unwind after a long and stressful day at |
| One of the secrets lies in stopping to think about what | | | | work. |
| you're doing and to what extent your children | | | | There are literally hundreds of examples of things that |
| understand your activity. For example, how many | | | | we do every day at home that can be turned into |
| times have you rushed home from work to get in | | | | valuable teaching lessons, helping our children to grow |
| ahead of your kids from school and then sat them | | | | and develop and allowing everyone to have fun at the |
| down in front of the television while you prepare | | | | same time. |
| supper? What are the thought processes going | | | | Education is not just for the educators and there is |
| through your mind? You've had a hard day and all you | | | | considerable value for everybody concerned in |
| want to do is sit down and relax but first you've got to | | | | teaching children at home. |
| feed the kids, so you get them out from underfoot so | | | | covers a wide range of topics and provides advice on |
| that you can get on quickly, get them fed and then | | | | child parenting, tips on only child parenting, parenting |
| finally relax. | | | | teenagers, step parenting, and divorced parenting. |