Hey Mama,
If you’re feeling a bit overwhelmed at the thought of starting homeschooling, you’re not alone! Every homeschooling mom has been where you are right now. But with a little planning, a lot of flexibility, and some encouragement, you’ll find your rhythm and create an amazing learning experience for your family. Hope this guide helps you feel more equipped to get started:
Shift Your Mindset: Routine Over Schedule
- Set a flow for your day: Start with a morning routine that everyone can expect. This might be breakfast, a morning walk, or reading time. For me, getting up before the kids and having time in the Word really helps my day start off better.
- Time Blocks: Instead of saying “Math is from 9:00-9:30,” think of it as “We’ll do math in the morning, sometime between breakfast and lunch.” Focus on a consistent routine rather than the clock. You’ll find this approach takes the pressure off and creates a smoother day.
- Go with the flow: If something takes longer than expected (or shorter), it’s okay. One of the beauties of homeschooling is adjusting to your child’s needs! This is especially important on those tough days your child is really struggling to get through the lesson. You have total permission to close the book and come back to it another time. The relationship you have with your child, as well as fostering a love for learning will always be more important than finishing the lesson or checking everything off the to-do list.
- Adjust your expectations: This is especially important for those of you whose kids have gone to traditional school for 6 hours a day. If you try and make your 8 year old sit and do school work for 6 hours, you both will be miserable. Here is a ballpark timeframe of structured learning for homeschoolers:
- Ages 4-5 (Preschool) Total Learning Time: 30min-1 hour, 5-10 minutes per subject
- Ages 6-7 (Kindergarten to 1st Grade) Total Learning Time: 1-2 hours, 10-15 minutes
- Ages 8-9 (2nd to 3rd Grade) Total Learning Time: 2-3 hours, 20-30 minutes per subject
- Ages 10-12 (4th to 6th Grade), Total Learning Time: 3-4 hours, 30-45 minutes per subject
- Ages 13-15 (7th to 9th Grade) Total Learning Time: 4-5 hour, 45-60 minutes per subject
- Ages 16-18 (10th to 12th Grade) Total Learning Time: 5-6 hours, 60-90 minutes per subject
Embrace the Freedom of Location
You’re not tied to a classroom or a desk. One of the greatest advantages of homeschooling is that learning can happen wherever your family feels comfortable!
- Get outside: Read books in the backyard, do science experiments in the park, or have a picnic while discussing history. Learning outdoors can break up the day and keep kids energized.
- Real-world lessons: Going to the grocery store? Let your kids help with the math (adding up costs, budgeting). On a nature walk? That’s a great time for an impromptu biology lesson. Take advantage of spontaneous learning moments. These often create the most memorable experiences for you and your kids!
- Travel flexibility: If your family travels, take advantage of learning on the go. Museums, historical sites, and even road trips can offer educational experiences that textbooks can’t. Our beach days are always considered school days!
Use Resources and Curriculum Wisely
- Why it’s important: There’s no one-size-fits-all curriculum. Pick materials that resonate with your child’s learning style and your teaching preferences.
- How to do it:
- Experiment: Test different curriculums or resources without feeling locked into any one program. Many families use a mix of materials that best suit their child.
- Online Resources: Use free or low-cost online resources, such as Khan Academy, YouTube, or homeschool blogs for extra support and inspiration.
- Learning Styles: Identify whether your child learns best through reading, hands-on activities, visuals, or listening. Tailor the materials accordingly.
Join a Homeschooling Community
You don’t have to do this alone! There are plenty of homeschool moms and families out there who can offer support, advice, and friendship. Homeschooling doesn’t mean isolating yourself. One of the best parts of homeschooling is getting to experience the community that comes with it. Other homeschool moms are some of the most genuine ladies I’ve ever met.
- Find a local group: Look for homeschool co-ops or social groups in your area. These groups often organize field trips, group classes, or park meet-ups. It’s also great for your kids to socialize with other homeschoolers.
- Online communities: There are tons of Facebook groups, forums, and websites where you can connect with other homeschoolers, ask questions, and share tips. These are great when you are first starting out and don’t really know where to begin. You’ll soon find you prefer your in-person community over this option.
- Don’t be afraid to ask for help: Whether it’s asking a fellow homeschooler for curriculum advice or joining a co-op where different parents teach different subjects, collaboration can lighten the load. It’s okay if your homeschool doesn’t look like someone else’s! Learn from others, but always tailor your approach to what works for your family.
Tailor Learning to Your Child’s Interests
Kids are more engaged when they can explore what excites them. Homeschooling allows you to create a personalized learning experience that keeps them curious and motivated. Also, a huge things to keep in mind is if you are excited about it, they will be too!
- Let them lead: If your child loves animals, build lessons around that interest. For example, use animals to teach math (counting, measurements), reading (animal stories), and science (habitats, biology).
- Incorporate hands-on activities: Some children learn best by doing. Incorporate experiments, art projects, or field trips to keep learning dynamic and fun. I also enjoy taking “brain breaks” to get them out of the chair, get their bodies moving, and grab a snack.
- Encourage passion projects: Let your kids choose a topic they’re passionate about and dive deep into it. It could be creating a nature journal, building a model, or studying space. Passion-led learning can keep school exciting and help your child discover what they love. You’ll be amazed at how much they can learn when they’re fully engaged!
- If child-led learning is speaking to your heart, you have to check out my girlfriend Erica on Instagram @hygge.school.house. She is absolutely amazing! She does “just one thing” where she picks a topic, and connects all their learning for that month to that topic. She has done rainbows, Dolly Parton, space, legos, and more. Seriously, give her a follow you wont regret it!
Don’t Overthink Curriculum
The internet is overflowing with curriculum options, and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by choice. Start simple and make adjustments as you go. Don’t stress about finding the “perfect” curriculum right away. You’ll figure out what works best through trial and error. And what might work one year, may not work the next. What may work for one child, may not work for another.
- Test out different options: You don’t have to commit to one curriculum right away. Experiment with a few and see what fits your child’s learning needs. I always try and watch reviews on Youtube that other homeschool moms have done, so I can see the inside of the pages and hear what they like/don’t like about it.
- Combine resources: You can mix and match from different curricula or use free resources like Khan Academy, YouTube, TeachersPayTeachers, etc.
- Follow your child’s learning style: Does your child learn better by reading, watching videos, or doing hands-on activities? Choose resources that suit their style to keep them engaged.
Some days will be tough, and that’s okay. Focus on the big picture!
Starting homeschooling can feel overwhelming, but remember—you don’t have to get everything perfect right away. Take small steps, have grace for yourself and your kids, and enjoy the freedom homeschooling gives your family. Every homeschool journey is unique, and as you settle into your routine, you’ll find that sweet spot that works for your family.
You’ve got this, Homeschool Mama! 🌻
