Because homeschooling across Canada is defined a bit differently for each region, we’ve provided links to each of the provincial websites that outline the laws. As well,you’ll find links to major homeschooling associations which have resources and services that will support you in educating your children.

First published on The Canadian Homeschooler, this article is used by permission of the author. One of the very first steps that you need to take when you are considering homeschooling is to become familiar with the laws of your province or territory. Although homeschooling is legal across the country, each province and territory has its own set of rules and requirements to follow—some extremely lax and some fairly regimented (with most falling somewhere in between).

This month, The Canadian Schoolhouse has focused on giving you information about the homeschool laws in different provinces. I have next-to-no provincial laws to follow here in Ontario, for which I do feel fortunate. (It feels good not to have restrictions or rules hanging over my head, controlling my record-keeping and planning.) However, the minimal provincial requirements do mean that I have to be very self-disciplined in order to ensure that I’m giving my boys a stellar learning experience—at least by my standards.

Twice our family has travelled into the developing world, volunteering through World Medical Mission, the auspices of Samaritan’s Purse. Our youngest was three when we first travelled to rural Kenya, and our eldest was a teenager at our last trip into rural Ghana.

How do I fit everything into one 24-hour day? Add to homeschooling my children (which I love), this job at the magazine (which is a joy), Bible study and prayer time (which feed my hunger), outside activities and commitments, to the more practical things like going through all the children’s outgrown clothes and meal planning and cooking–I am way over my head in things to do.

There’s just something about an early morning on the beach with a campfire crackling, the waves lapping on the shore, and the smell of fresh caught fish sizzling over the coals. Imagine being on that beach with the Son of God beckoning you to join Him for breakfast. This is what Jesus did for his disciples in John 21:9. “When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread.”

This goes out to all those homeschooling older children and those of us who are “seasoned” homeschoolers, as a call to action: those young homeschooling parents need you! Remember those days when you had interrupted sleep, extended families whose opinions weighed heavily on you, and you were feeding the baby while teaching phonics to your six year old? Pull out your phone and write down the top three things…

Can you teach every subject? Yes, if that is what God has called you to do, but you don’t have to. You may find that a co-op, online course, or some other means may help you teach subjects you’re not comfortable teaching. Don’t forget to read the magazine online or on the go for tips on homeschooling, too, whether you’re teaching reading, writing, ‘rithmetic, or something else.