We’ve been a homeschool family living in British Columbia for the last decade and a half. Our three oldest kids are launched, and our youngest is in his final years. “They say” things go quickly, and they are right. But it was hard to see the quickness of it when many days are plenty long. One thing I know: if you want to homeschool, you CAN homeschool. I’m here to tell you that you can do this homeschool thing with confidence! I’m here to help you learn how to start homeschooling in British Columbia . And in this article, I’ll also help you decide on registered homeschool versus online learning too (because you’ll need to decide). If you’d like a clear roadmap to start strong, join me for my free training: 9 Steps to Thrive in Your First Homeschool Year — it’s packed with practical steps and encouragement to help you find your groove from day one. Learn the 9 Mistakes to Avoid for a Stressful First Year of Homeschooling This is what you’ll find in this article on how to start homeschooling in British Columbia (& how to decide on registered homeschool versus online learning) . What you might want to know about the homeschool lifestyle. What the most common concerns are that new homeschool parents have? You are invited to join me in a consultation call to discuss your coaching options with a homeschool life coach. I offer you an overview of the legalities of home learning in British Columbia. I explain the differences between registered homeschooling and online learning. A quick flyover about how I thought homeschooling would be and what it was actually like. And a special welcome to homeschooling from me! So let’s get started… After living in Kamloops and traveling around the world, our homeschool family created a homestead life in the Kootenays. When you first get off the beaten path, leaving the conventional schooled path, you might have uncertainties and doubts; you might research & read more than Wiki itself. And of course, it is a rite of passage for all new homeschoolers to do that, as one should (we are taking responsibility for our children’s education, of course ). And that is a huge responsibility. But I’m here to equip you to get clear, confident, and intentional so you don’t have to be uncertain: you really can do this homeschool thing. Here are a few common concerns that new homeschool families have and you might want to know: A Beginner’s Guide to Your First Year of Homeschool Should I Homeschool My Child? Can I Homeschool In Canada? the surprising transition from school to homeschool What about gaps in my child’s home education? Teach Your Own: Homeschool Confidently Without Being a Certified Teacher What do homeschoolers want to deschool from: let’s get specific. How to Handle Homeschool Overwhelm What Does Homeschool Cost: What I Wish I Knew Before I Homeschooled A Homeschool Life Coach Help Near Me Three Things I Wish I Knew Before I Homeschooled homeschool philosophies and why you don’t need to care How to homeschool with confidence in 5 (not-so-easy) steps A Homeschool Mama Will Benefit from Coaching for Homeschool (& Life) If you have any questions, you’re welcome to send a message here. If you’re uncertain if you want to homeschool at all, consider these thoughts… And of course, to know how to start homeschooling in British Columbia, you’ll want to know the legalities according to provincial law too. What does the provincial government say about how to start homeschooling in British Columbia (registered homeschool versus online learning)? In British Columbia, many kids online learn from home (if you enroll as an online learner, even though you’re learning at home and you might identify as a homeschooler, the BC government doesn’t acknowledge you as a homeschooler unless you’re a registered homeschooler). The BC government maintains a close connection to the online learner with an online learning school, a teacher/learning consultant, and learning outcomes, which might include grades, exams, and all that jazz. It looks like homeschooling to the schooled world, because the kids are typically at home doing their work, but the government does not acknowledge it as such. You don’t get to choose your educational program. You’re accountable to the BC Ministry of Education. My youngest and I planning a field trip in Vancouver Everyone chooses different approaches for different reasons: so, to each their own, of course . But since I went into this lifestyle for a whole lot of freedom, I chose the Registered Homeschooling path. Freedom to learn what we want to learn. Freedom to live a less constrained life. And freedom to live a family-centric life. Freedom to travel. Also freedom to enable an individualized education. Freedom to choose our social connections. Just freedom, freedom, freedom… …And now that I’ve done this for as long as I
