If you’re thinking of homeschooling your little ones, and you live in California, think again.

Yesterday news broke everywhere about the new, very lame, situation going on in California regarding a parents right to homeschool. This is just about the worst news I’ve heard in a while. I don’t want to rehash the issue here because I already had a good rant at another blog about it. The basics are that now, in CA you have to have teaching credentials (yes, that’s upwards of a five year degree) to homeschool.

Being a homeschooling parent myself, I’m used to dealing with lots of unasked for opinions and people being obnoxious about MY choice to homeschool. While I’m not really surprised at this news, I’m still pretty angry. What I’m not interested in seeing are other states following in CA footsteps.

I actually used to live in CA, and was pretty active in some unschooling communities, so I’m feeling very bad for my pals going through this in CA right now. If you’re in California and are considering homeschooling for your children, there are a few things you can do - such as declare yourself a private school (you and other parents can form a group for this even), hook up with local and state wide homeschoolers, and publicly make your voice heard.

This brings up another good point, which is why I’m sharing this here at P&B anyhow - it’s important to plan ahead.

If you know early on that you’re going to be homeschooling, hook up with other families in your area. Becoming part of a group early on, can be very useful, and other parents can help you navigate the often tricky homeschooling laws and issues.

Also, learn your state and national laws, and most importantly, find a pediatrician who is in line with homeschooling. Believe me, I’ve dealt with pediatricians who are not fans of homeschooling and it will make your life extremely more difficult than necessary. That goes for clinic staff as well. I like my son’s current pediatrician, but her nurse is so rude about homeschooling that we’re in the process of switching.

Hopefully the current appeal will accomplish something decent. Until then - hang in there if you’re a CA HS parent.

Are you considering homeschooling your little one? Will this new law affect you?