So You Decided to Start Homeschooling

Congratulations on making the decision to homeschool your children! You’ve embarked on a rewarding journey, and you’re doing a great job already. Homeschooling might seem intimidating at first, but it’s often easier and more flexible than most people think.

1. Take Your Time and Pace Yourself

When you’re new to homeschooling, give yourself grace and room to adjust. You don’t have to get it right every day. In fact, once you figure out a system that works for one child, you may find that another child needs a completely different approach.

Remember, homeschooling doesn’t require 7-8 hours a day of schooling, especially for younger children. In early grades, 1-2 hours a day of focused academic time is often sufficient.

2. Resist the Temptation to Replicate Public School at Home

One of the common mistakes new homeschoolers make is trying to mimic the structure of public school. Keep in mind that public schools spend a significant portion of their day on logistics—moving students between activities, managing behavior, and other non-instructional tasks. Even during instructional time, not all students absorb the material effectively.

Think of it like gardening: not every plant needs the same amount of water to thrive. Similarly, your children will learn at different paces, and they won’t need a rigid 7-hour day to succeed. Customize their learning based on what works best for them.

3. Avoid Comparing Yourself to Other Homeschool Families

It’s easy to fall into the trap of comparing your homeschooling style to others. Some families are highly active in extracurriculars, co-ops, and enrichment programs, while others take a more laid-back approach. There is no “right way” to homeschool.

Determine what works best for your family without feeling pressured to match someone else’s schedule. You don’t need to transform into a minivan shuttle service, carting your children to every activity. Focus on what feels manageable and beneficial for your family.

And by the way, homeschoolers are not all sitting at the kitchen table in prairie dresses!

4. You Don’t Have to Teach Everything Yourself

As a homeschooling parent, you are more of an educational curator than the sole instructor. Many parents find outside resources such as co-ops, specialized classes, or online programs that cover subjects they are less confident teaching.

For example, you might swap classes with another parent—while you teach Spanish, they teach your child math. You can also use tutors to supplement your teaching in areas that require additional expertise.

5. Learning Happens Everywhere

One of the best parts of homeschooling is that education isn’t confined to a classroom. Everyday activities can become learning opportunities—math happens in the kitchen, economics at the cash register, and geography during road trips.

Okay, maybe folding laundry doesn’t quite teach geometry, but you get the idea! Keep an eye out for the learning moments hidden in daily life. Sometimes the most valuable lessons happen in the least expected places.

6. Reach Out for Help

Don’t hesitate to seek guidance from experienced homeschooling families. Many have been through the same challenges and can point you to valuable resources, co-ops, or teaching aids. Homeschooling is a community, and you don’t have to go it alone.

7. Make Homeschooling Work for Your Schedule

One of the greatest benefits of homeschooling is its flexibility. You have the freedom to design a schedule that fits your family’s unique needs and lifestyle. Unlike traditional school settings that follow a strict timetable, homeschooling can happen at any time—day or night, weekdays or weekends.

If mornings aren’t your best time, try shifting your lessons to the afternoon or evening. You can also extend your homeschool year-round, taking breaks as needed, instead of following a typical school year. This flexibility means that vacations, holidays, or even long weekends can become rich learning experiences.

For instance, when traveling, you can incorporate geography, history, or science lessons based on the places you visit. Take field trips to historical sites, museums, or nature reserves to make your travels an immersive part of your children’s education. Whether you’re exploring national parks or learning about local culture in a new city, the world becomes your classroom.

The beauty of homeschooling is that it adapts to your life, allowing you to create a learning environment that works for your family, rather than forcing your family to fit into a rigid school schedule.

8. Stay Flexible and Have Fun

Finally, enjoy the journey! Homeschooling allows you to tailor your children’s education to their interests and needs, providing flexibility that traditional school settings often can’t offer. The best part? You get to learn alongside them and create lasting memories.