To make the decision of whether or not to school you children at home a little easier, consider these 6 do's and don'ts.

1. Do realize that home-schooling is not for everyone. It takes a great deal of determination and structure to accomplish goals in the home classroom. Parents' careers, the child's motivation, and the family budget are to be considered, though, these are not automatic obstacles.

2. Don't forget the laws of the state in which you live. Some states have very strict regulations, and others leave the curriculum entirely in your hands.

3. Do think about the kind of curriculum YOU want to set up. No one knows your child the way you do. Sure, you can ask others who home-school, analyze what they do, examine their schedule, look at the way they handle certain problems and situations, put don't think that this is what you have to do if it's something you are uncomfortable with. Your child is unique. Customize and tailor the schedule to your CHILD'S needs.

For example: If she despises history and dreads the thought of reading 600 pages of George Washington or Christopher Columbus, condense the lesson to the facts that won't be changed later when white-washing history no longer appeals to the masses.

4. DON'T listen to the negative feed back of those who've never home-schooled! If you do this, you'll start to second-guess your own instincts, which started you on this quest in the first place, and you'll never launch into the exciting possibilities that home schooling has to offer.

A big issue that comes from this faction is: "If you home-school, how will Bobby learn to get along with other kids? How can he learn how to deal with difficult situations?" YOU will teach Bobby all that, not some rookie whose only concern in life is to wheedle $100 out of mom and dad for some designer high tops for prom night.

5. Do anticipate learning as you go. If you've hesitated about taking the home-schooling plunge because you're worried you won't be able to do it, remember that you're trekking new terrain. (Sound familiar? How did you feel when you were about to have your first child?) No one expects you to be an expert. If something doesn't work in your curriculum, you do have options, and change is one of them.

6. Don't think that a decision to home-school is irreversible. If you home-school for a year or even a couple of months, and find it isn't for you, you can always put your child back into the public school system. And no one is worse for wear at your little experiment.