When ... |
Did we start homeschooling? Marilyn started homeschooling in her mind about 4 years before our first child was born, so by that reckoning, 12 years or more. Actual in-the-trenches teaching? Since that same first child was about 3, so about 6 years now. In the beginning, we used the book, "Slow and Steady, Get Me Ready", but all parents with their first-born seem eager to get them learning. We do recommend that book, and the other one she used for Preschool, "Mom's Big Activity Book for Building Little Characters." Those first few years, for us, were the most rewarding, and we encourage anyone who thinks they might like to home school to start during the preschool years. It can be as laid-back as just a half-hour of one-on-one time, playing games and reading, or if you like structure, you can find a "curriculum" and follow that. |
Selling Books? Richard has been selling books in various bookstores for over 15 years. Marilyn worked in a bookstore on and off for 9 years. We love books. Unfortunately, books for home educators are not big sellers on most bookstore shelves. Most bookstores must sell 3 copies of a book a year to even consider stocking it. In these days of JIT (just in time) inventories, even the biggest stores question stocking an expensive book that ONLY sells 3 copies a year. Each inch of shelf space must generate a certain level of revenue. So as much as we wanted to, we could not justify stocking these specialty items. Even specialty stores for teachers carry little in the way of home schooling curriculum. So in May of 1997 we registered The Armchair Academic and started selling these rare beasts to fellow home educators from our home. We started with home parties, book tables, and phone referrals. The idea of a being able to look at a book or curriculum has been foundational all along. The Internet is our next area of expansion, started May 1999. |
