Now that you have decided that homeschooling is the way to educate your child, get ready for the ecstasy and the anxiety – the road ahead is a bit bumpy, but the rewards more than make up for it. Producing a well-adjusted and well-rounded personality is no mean achievement.

First of all, it is important to check out your state laws on home schooling. Some states need an affidavit filed with the State’s education department. There are basically 3 categories for homeschooling laws. These are: private school laws, home education laws and equivalency laws. Find your state laws. You may also need to maintain a portfolio that records the child’s educational progress. It is important to look into the legal requirements BEFORE you start homeschooling. Some States also stipulate a minimum educational qualification for the parent or teacher.

Next, look for a homeschool support group. If you live in a friendly or curious neighborhood, well-meaning friends will try to dissuade you. At the very least, they may put a lot of uneasy questions in your mind. A support group that consists of like-minded people will insulate you from the criticism, pressures and questions of regular school-goers. Many groups organize fun events like visits to the zoo, museum, tours to the ice cream shops etc. And if your children hit it off with other homeschoolers, they will be able to build lasting relationships that do not fade when their friends change schools. These groups provide an important avenue for socialization.

The next important thing to do is to select a curriculum. Depending upon the method of homeschooling, you may choose various tools that aid you in this process. The internet is also a rich resource for homeschooling. Do some research and look into the material that is available.

Set certain ground rules. Homeschooling requires a lot of self-discipline and hard work. Here is a comprehensive list of the things you will need:
1) Eagerness to learn
2) Hard work and effort
3) Discipline
4) Time and patience
5) Flexibility
6) Enthusiasm

Consider why you want to opt for homeschooling. Your motives and your reasons are important pillars on which the whole edifice of your child’s lessons depends. Also, consult with your children. Ask them what they feel about homeschooling.

Select a curriculum or custom-make a curriculum that best suits your child. Record keeping is an important part of homeschooling. Look into the various methods of record keeping. Set up a schedule. Your child does not have to learn 6-7 hours a day. Allow him or her to dictate the time. Flexibility and fun are the cornerstones of homeschooling. Do not stuff too many skills into a single term or year. Prepare a skill list. Make the child learn the skills that he is ready for.

Gentle parenting is the secret to successful homeschooling. Children make great advances in learning and show more enthusiasm. They also turn out to be surprisingly well balanced and well informed when they are taught at home.

Finally, be prepared to share some of the teaching load. There will be classes that someone else can teach better. This is where a homeschool support program can help. California has many such groups. A simple search for homeschool support programs or High Schools with homeschool support will supply many valuable resources.

Submitted by:
Dave Delgado, Headmaster
Cambrian International Academy
San Jose, CA, USA

The place in your house where water damage is most likely to occur, is definitely the bathroom, with the kitchen as a good second. Bearing in mind that the internet is totally international, the word “bathroom” needs a clear explanation. What all around the world is called wc or toilet, is called bathroom in the US of A. In Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia a bathroom is nothing else than presisely what it says: the room where one has ones bath. It’s good to bear that in mind, not only when reading this blog post, but also when travelling to the US from elsewhere, or to elsewhere from the US! Many hilarious misunderstandings have already resulted from this tiny difference in idioms, and quite a lot more will occur in future!

Preventing the ruinous effects of water damage is much better and cheaper than repairing it, and it takes very little effort that might save you a lot of expenses. You need to start with a simple check for hidden leaks: turn off all the faucets (English) or taps (American) in your house, and all household appliances that work with water like coffee machines, dishwashers, washing machines and such. Nothing in your house should, for the time being use any water at all. Check your water meter and write down what it says. Leave things alone for about an hour, and then take a look at the water meter again. A different reading almost certainly indicates the presence of a water leak, unless of course you’ve forgotten to turn off really everything.

Give your bathroom AKA (wc|toilet} a good inspection then. Soft, slightly damp or outright wet floor spots near the edge of the bathtub, the shower stall or the toilet bowl, often accompanied by some discoloration, are sure signs of water damage that requires your immediate attention. Fortunately that’s very easy: re-caulking the area where the walls meet the floor or the appliance, usually helps solve the problem. If, like in most homes, you have tiles in your bathroom, cracks in grout or areas where it is missing can also cause a lot of damage.

The overflow of toilet bowls is an well-known cause of water damage, even if it does not happen that often. Putting too much toilet paper or other objects down the toilet bowl can cause it to back up with a vengeance. Even the kind of deodorant that is placed inside the toilet bowl can cause blockages in the plumbing, and if that deodorant happens to be chlorine-based and the pipes are of the ancient metal kind, it can even cause the pipes to oxydize and produce an additional leak. You must definitely be aware that your toilet bowl is not intended to be a household waste receptacle, and never try to flush anything down that simply should have been thrown out into the rubbish bin.

The exact origins of Tai Chi are hard to tie down. There are many myths about its origins. One of those says that Taoist monk Chang San-feng was disturbed by the sounds of a snake and a crane fighting in his courtyard. He then built a style based around their movements.

Tai Chi is an ancient Chinese form of movement that coordinates your body and focuses on the cultivation of internal energy. It’s aim is to harmonize the mind, body and spirit hence, promoting both metal and physical well being through relaxation. It is often described as a type of meditation that combines deep breathing and movements that exact structual alignment. Correct practice appears rhythmical, effortless and in continuous flow and it can generate surprising power almost at odds with its gentle movements.

People who regularly practice Tai Chi become revitalized, relaxed, tolerant, stronger and healthier. Tai Chi is suitable for all ages and sexes because it does not rely on strength, force or speeds. It brings benefits in many areas.

Tai chi is derived from Chinese health and longevity practices, which were merged with a comprehensive system of self defence. In the past, much of Tai Chi was kept secret, but very gradually, knowledge of the art spread throughout China. Now at the start and end of every day in villages, towns, and cities all over Chinese Asia, people can be seen practicing the slow, graceful movements of tai chi in courtyards, squares and parks.

Tai chi came to the West during the 20th century largely due to the cultural revolution when many masters fled the country. Today, tai chi is found in almost all countries, and a huge number of people practice it regularly.

It requires a high degree of concentration and mental focus. The breathing is natural, sometimes involving deep breathing, and is carefully synchronised to your movements.

Tai Chi consists of soft, relaxed (usually) slow movements and is recognised as being good for stress, balance, blood pressure and general health.It is one of the one of the Chinese Internal martial arts (neijia). The others being Hsing-I, Ba Gua Zhang and Liuhebafa(Six Harmonies, 8 Methods).

Tai Chi appeals to a wide range of people and age ranges, (teens and 20′s up to 80′s & 90′s) but it is not common for the art to be taught to children as the training can be slow for their tastes. There are a number of forms specifically targetted at the over 50′s and health problems such as Arthritis.

To get more free information about Tai Chi, Please visit Stratford Tai Chi at www.stratfordtaichi.co.uk.