If you're thinking about homeschooling, you already possess the most important requirements: concern over your child's education, interest in your child's future, and love for your child. With these three essentials, you're well on your way to a successful homeschool experience.

It's also helpful to remember that homeschooling is not school at home. This is a theme you'll see repeated in this book and throughout the home-school community. Why is it so important? Because it's the one area that causes the most frustration — and often failure — for homeschool families. Misconceptions and unrealistic expectations trip up even the most well-intentioned family. The information in this book will help you avoid this pitfall.

A brief look back at the beginnings of public school shows why the education of children migrated from the home to the schoolhouse. You'll also see why the education of children is returning to the home in record numbers.