I have been seeking out those with experience in homeschooling in various states to help those who are new and looking for information.

Does anyone here homeschool in California? I know the state hit the news over homeschooling. How is that all going now? Is it difficult to homeschool in California?

We homeschool and live in CA.  It's not difficult per se, but I do feel that overall CA is a very anti-homeschool state so I don't freely share that we are homeschoolers.  The HSLDA website it a good resource to look up information on different states and their homeschool laws.  CA is considered a relatively easy state to homeschool in as far as from a logistical perspective however I personally feel that homeschooling isn't readily accepted by many.

mommatothree:

I don't freely share that we are homeschoolers. 

Do you stay home during school hours and keep the kids indoors to avoid being asked why they are out and about? How do you handle neighbors asking questions or people asking your children what school they go to?

When we began homeschooling, there was not a lot of support for it so I often avoided being confronted about it. In Mississippi, I ran our school year around and didn't feel worried if our schedule was off from public school and my kids were out during a school day. Here in Louisiana, I worry more about this again as the laws are a bit stricter than in Ms.

Brandy:

Do you stay home during school hours and keep the kids indoors to avoid being asked why they are out and about? How do you handle neighbors asking questions or people asking your children what school they go to?

 We live in an area with year round school, so we do have a bit more flexibility than most do.  However I still limit the amount of time the kids are out during "school hours".  We pretty much just go out during the day if it's for a Dr's appointment or for our homeschool playgroup.  But, if we do go out I check and make sure that there is an "off track" for the local public schools.  The kids don't play out front, and very rarely play in the backyard during normal school hours.

We don't get questions from neighbors, everyone pretty much keeps to themselves.  We do get asked by others what school our kids attend, and we anwser them with the name of the PSP (private satellite program/school) that we have the kids enrolled in.  Most of the time that is as much as people want to know, if they say something like "Oh...where is that? I've never heard of it", we just let them know it's a small private school. 

mommatothree:

We don't get questions from neighbors, everyone pretty much keeps to themselves.

That helps. People in my area are more curious. I meet the requirements but it still makes me nervous.

I totally understand, I get nervous as well.  I don't let the kids hang out in front of the door when it's open, and we tend to keep the blinds semi-drawn during the day.  I just don't want to draw any additional attention to ourselves.  We live in a pretty aggresive school district and I don't want to do anything blatant that would have them knocking at my door, even though I as well do everything legally.

 Isnt it sad to have to live that way... We are suppose to live in a free country, permited to make choices for our families. Babs

babs:

 Isnt it sad to have to live that way...

It is.

I don't avoid telling people we homeschool and I do have the doors and windows opened in the day but I don't allow them to play outside during lunch hour as I used to in Mississippi.

 When we first homeschooled in 1981, the police showed up and threatened us with jail. I took the two kids and moved to the next state from April til June. DH had a temporary job that spring. Then he moved with us. It was a long spring. After moving to Vt., we really had no problems. I have had other friends that had school authorities showup at the door.  I am of the belief that they are our children, we know what is best for them and have the right to do it. Babs

We homeschooled in Colorado and never had a problem. The kids kind of got a kick out of any opportunity to tell others that they were homeschooled. They had a lot of envious friends.