So, you’re thinking about homeschooling? You believe this might be the best choice for your family? That’s wonderful news! You might be feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness as you embark on this new journey. Fear not, my friend! Today, I’m going to share with you how to begin homeschooling with my Beginner’s Guide to Homeschooling. This guide includes everything you need to know and do before starting your homeschooling adventure.
A Little Background
My family is a homeschooling, working family, currently in our third year, and we have loved every bit of it! The idea for this post and resource came from my own experiences before we began homeschooling. I reflected on all the steps I took to ensure we had a strong and successful start to the year, and I wanted to share that with you.
I had so many questions and things to think about. Truth be told, there was also a lot of noise! I read countless articles and watched numerous videos from people online sharing their do’s and don’ts, and it started to feel a little overwhelming. Some things seemed so time-consuming that I wondered if this could even be an option for a working family. This brought me back to my purpose. My purpose is what kept and continues to keep me grounded throughout this homeschooling journey.
That’s why I’ve created this resource, to help others navigate through all the noise and focus on the essential elements for a successful homeschooling journey.
10 Things to Consider While Getting Ready to Begin Homeschool
1. Answer: Why do I want to homeschool my children?
This is truly the most essential step in starting your homeschooling journey: understanding why you are choosing to homeschool.
Why is this so important?
Your “why” will serve as the strong foundation of your homeschooling experience and keep you grounded in your decision. It’s crucial to set a clear purpose and write it down! There will be challenging moments when you might question your choice to homeschool. You might even consider reversing your decision. Having a written purpose will help you navigate those difficult times. In my blog post, “Why We Homeschool”, I share our main reasons for homeschooling, and I hope it can inspire you to set your own purpose too!
2. Become Familiar with Your State’s Homeschool Laws
It’s important to understand the homeschooling requirements in your state, as these laws can vary greatly. Some states have more regulations and different reporting requirements than others. A fantastic resource to help you navigate your state’s homeschooling laws is the HSLDA website. This site does an amazing job of explaining your state’s requirements and offers many other helpful resources for homeschooling parents.
Knowing these requirements is essential because it will guide what you need to include in your home education program. This information will be important for choosing a curriculum, keeping records, and meeting reporting obligations.
3. Set a Budget!
I know you might think this sounds a little silly, but trust me, it’s super important! In today’s world, with so many social media platforms showcasing homeschool hauls, spaces, and resources, it’s easy to get tempted to spend loads of money on flashy items that might not be beneficial for your family.
Often, you don’t need many of those things, especially if this is your first year homeschooling and you’re just getting started. It’s important to find out what works best for your kids first. Setting a budget will help you stay focused and avoid overspending.
4. Consider Homeschool Curriculum
ou don’t have to use a specific curriculum to homeschool, but you do need something to guide your teaching. Your objectives for homeschooling will help you determine which curriculum might fit your family best. There are so many options out there, catering to various philosophies and styles. You can even create your own curriculum if you have the time and energy for it!
Choosing a curriculum can feel overwhelming, but it’s also an exciting opportunity to tailor your children’s education to their unique needs and interests. Whether you prefer a structured approach or a more flexible style, there’s a perfect curriculum out there for you.
We use a curriculum because it works best for our family and has made our homeschooling journey wonderful. It provides structure and resources that help us stay organized and focused. If you’re interested in learning why we chose a curriculum and getting some tips on how to select one, be sure to read my post: “Why You Should Use a Homeschool Curriculum as a Working Parent”.
Remember, the best curriculum is the one that fits your family’s needs and supports your children’s learning. Trust yourself and enjoy the process of discovering what works best for you.
5. Inventory your Time!
Think about your family’s lifestyle. When is the best time for homeschooling to occur? Homeschooling is very different from traditional schooling because it can happen anytime and anywhere!
Is your family full of early risers, or do you thrive in the afternoons? Are you a working family like mine, juggling jobs and homeschooling? It’s important to have an idea of when in your day, week, and month homeschooling will fit best.
Take some time to consider your family’s natural rhythm and daily schedule. Flexibility is one of the greatest advantages of homeschooling, so you can tailor your schedule to what works best for you and your children.
Remember, the key is to find a balance that supports both learning and your family’s lifestyle. Think about what works best for your unique situation.
6. Create a Schedule
No matter how “free” you want your homeschool to be, it’s important to have a general idea of what’s going to happen when. Some structure is necessary to ensure things get done. Without it, time can easily slip away, and before you know it, the day is over.
Having a flexible but consistent schedule helps create a routine that your children can rely on, making it easier to manage your time and stay on track with your educational goals. Whether you prefer a detailed timetable or a more relaxed plan, having some structure will help you make the most of your homeschooling days.
If you need some guidance with creating a schedule for your homeschool, be sure to check out my post “Creating a homeschool Schedule“. It offers tips and ideas to help you find the right balance of structure and flexibility that works for your family.
7. Think of a Home Base
I’m not talking about a dedicated homeschool room here—I know many of us don’t have the space for that. Instead, I’m referring to a designated spot in your home where you can keep all your homeschooling resources. Whether it’s a caddy, bookshelf, cupboard, closet, or even a hatch. The possibilities are endless!
This is important because without a home base for your materials, they can easily spread all over the house. Having a designated spot helps everyone in the family know where everything is located and where things should be returned at the end of the day. This simple step can make your homeschooling routine much smoother and more organized.
Creating this home base doesn’t have to be complicated. Find a spot that works for your family and start organizing your materials there. You’ll be amazed at how much more efficient and stress-free your homeschooling days can become!
8. Create an Organizational System
If you follow me on YouTube, you know how important a simple organization system is to me. It’s what keeps me sane and ensures nothing ever goes missing. A good system makes everything run smoothly and efficiently, benefiting both parents and children.
Having an organization system in place helps maintain order and reduces stress, allowing you to focus more on the joy of learning. It’s not just about keeping things tidy—it’s about creating an environment where everyone knows where to find and return materials, fostering independence and responsibility in your children.
If you’d like some guidance on creating an organizational system, be sure to check out my post “Homeschool Organizational: The Key to Success“. It offers practical tips and ideas to help you set up a system that works for your family.
9. Actually Do the Organizing
Once you’ve established all the steps above, it’s time to actually get everything ready. Set up your homeschool base and organize your resources. This step allows you and your family to become familiar with the space and the materials you’ll be using.
Setting up your homeschool base is like creating a command center for learning. It’s where you’ll gather each day to explore, discover, and grow together. Organizing your resources ensures that everything is easily accessible when you need it, making your homeschooling days more efficient and enjoyable.
Take this opportunity to personalize your space and make it inviting for learning. Whether it’s a corner of the living room, a nook in the kitchen, or a designated area in a shared space, make it a place where curiosity and creativity thrive.
Getting everything ready sets the stage for a successful homeschooling experience.
10. Give it a trial run!
I’m a big advocate for trying things out before committing fully. Giving your homeschooling routines a test run can help you make any necessary tweaks and adjustments before diving into the full school year. It’s also a great way for the whole family to get a preview of what homeschooling will be like, allowing everyone to adjust and prepare mentally.
As you are getting ready to start your homeschool journey? Make sure to grab my Beginner Guide to Homeschool freebie. It’s a free downloadable resource I’ve created to help you get ready for the amazing adventure of homeschooling ahead.
Remember, you’ve got this! You are fully capable of homeschooling your children. Trust in yourself you’ve been their #1 teacher since the day they were born.
💖Yessi
PS. I you have any questions that you would like me to address feel free to email me or leave me a comment below 🤗
