The first step is to read to the children, teach them the alphabet and how to count, how to add and subtract, get some readers and start working on reading and phonics every day.

Once the children know basic arithmetic and how to read, and have had books covering a wide variety of subjects read to them, then they will be prepared to start studying with more personal initiative, learning to write and spell, etc.

Of course, prayer and catechism and reading of the Bible and the Saints and the history of the Church will a large part of that.

In my case, I didn't know if we could do it.  One must not only teach the basics, but also comply with State law.  It does no good to begin homeschooling and then have the State steal you children from you because they have the power to do so and you have not done as you are mandated to do according to their law.

We enrolled the first year in Seton Home Study program in Virginia.  I'd give the web address, but every time I've posted a URL lately it CathInfo doesn't display it correctly.  You can search for it on the internet.  While it is not "traditional" (they are Conciliar), they use textbooks that are either originally published before Vatican II or they have created their own, some of which, frankly, are what led me to tradition.  But what Seton did for me that was the most needed thing, was to provide a daily lesson plan which kept us on track the first year.  It only took one year for me to realize that I didn't need to sign up for their full curriculum and could, with other resources, develop our own.  But I would never have been able to start without that first assistance from Seton.

If you are in the United States, the Home School Legal Defense Association provides a synopsis of each State's laws that govern homeschooling.  You can find that information on the web as well.  I would also recommend that you search the internet to see if there is a local homeschooling group (at the State or county level) from which you can seek advice on various issues.  While most of them seem to be Protestant or even secular in nature, there is a lot of knowledge concerning how to homeschool in these groups of people.

Once you actually get started, then it is much easier to do as telesphorus recommends if that is your desire.  In any event, attend homeschool conventions, especially Catholic ones (though they are all Conciliar, they will all have traditional materials available) and just look at the material available.  Budget some of your income specifically for homeschooling so that you will be able to afford the materials since you will have to pay for both your children's school and the government schools.  Seton also has a listing of homeschool conferences in which they participate--and hurry, because the conferences that get you ready for next year have already begun.

In any event, the first step is to simply do it.  I've known too many families who tell me that they want to homeschool but just can't seem to figure out how to start.  No.  It's not that they don't know how to start, it's that they just don't take that first step.

Finally, both parents need to be committed to homeschooling and absolutely never undermine the educational needs of the children.  Our ultimate goal for our children is that they reach heaven.  It is not that they become doctors or make millions of dollars and be "successful" in our pagan society.  

You will also be advised to give the minimum level of information to the State when complying with their informational requirements.

My issue with using Seton lesson plans is that enrollment is expensive.

This is correct.  At the time my eldest began school we didn't have internet (I don't remember if it had even existed yet, but we certainly did not have it) and Seton was the only thing I knew anything about from their own advertising.  It was rather expensive but less expensive than the tuition at the nearest Conciliar Catholic grade school.  I wasn't traditional at the time, but I learned so much about the Catholic Faith teaching my daughter that I continued my Catholic education which led me to tradition.

I simply don't have information on any other homeschool program so I can't say whether they are the best or most cost effective or anything.  I can only say that the one year with Seton is what enabled me to continue homeschooling and developing a program for each of my children.  I have found textbooks I like, textbooks I don't like, useful materials and materials that ended up being an utter waste of time and money from a variety of sources.  But I will say that I don't think any of the Seton-created materials have been a waste (though, since finding tradition, I have had to make supplemental explanations to my younger children when I found information that was faulty--they were on target when it comes to the principles involved but missed the target when they attempted to apply those principles to the Conciliar church and hierarchy).

Bottom Line:  Go to a Catholic homeschool conference and see what's out there.  Compare and contrast.  Talk to other homeschoolers.  But start your children's education at home and keep your children out of the clutches of the Godless State.

I think Seton material/books can be kept, not sent back. Maybe that is why it is expensive.  Now, I wonder is anyone has theirs for sale.  Also, maybe once you buy, later you can swap with other parents?  I would ask Seton those kinds of questions.

I think Seton material/books can be kept, not sent back. Maybe that is why it is expensive.  Now, I wonder is anyone has theirs for sale.  Also, maybe once you buy, later you can swap with other parents?  I would ask Seton those kinds of questions.

Last I heard you could not sell lesson plans but the books are like any other book. Cathswap is full of used Seton books for sale. Most Catholic homeschool groups have parents with used Seton books they will loan of give another family.


If the priest don't do it now, they should start having a homeschool library for the chapel and fill it with the Catholic readers, Treasure Box, OLVS high school literature, and Bethlehem Books.

Thanks for sharing I was thinking of home schooling my son next year.