This list is not really about home schooling. Most of these things apply to any long-term goal. In other words, this post reminds me that diversity is important in ideas, but principles are the same for accomplishing goals.
10. Nurture a marathon mentality. Sprinters will not make it.
9. Create a nurturing environment rather than an adversarial one.
8. Encourage friendships inside and outside the home schooling community. (Moms and kids)
7. Read books aloud daily. Go nuts and buy a lot of books. Libraries like ours lack classic literature and history books for children.
6. Steel yourself to criticism, and avoid unfair self-criticism. Be warned that people will test your children in public places about math facts and ask if they have any friends.
5. Define your goals. Educate yourself. Find a curriculum that works and put your blinders on. There are hundreds of choices out there, but you don’t have time or energy to sample all of them.
4. Establish and maintain routines for start time, friend time, quiet study time, service, and jobs around the house.
3. Make family and personal scripture study part of your school day.
2. Have a gloriously fun time.
1. Pray a lot.