I Want to Homeschool. . .Now What?!

1. Understand Homeschooling Laws in Your State

Before you dive into lesson plans, it’s crucial to know the homeschooling laws where you live. Each state has its own regulations, and they can range from simple reporting to more detailed requirements like submitting a letter of intent, tracking progress, or even meeting specific testing standards. If you’re withdrawing your child from public school, each state has its own process that you should follow.

A great place to start for understanding homeschool laws is the Home School Legal Defense Association. They have a simple explanation of the laws in each state laid out in an easy-to-follow series.

2. Homeschooling as a Lifestyle

Homeschooling allows learning to extend beyond textbooks and the classroom. Going on a walk isn’t just for exercise (physical education!), it is also an opportunity for a science lesson about the life cycle of trees from seed to sapling to mature tree to fruit and back again. Making muffins in the kitchen isn’t just about producing a yummy treat, it’s a math lesson about fractions as you measure a half cup of flour, and it’s a home economics experiment. Even your family vacation can become a field trip with opportunities to learn about geography and history!

Homeschooling as a lifestyle embraces learning as part of everyday living. It’s about creating a family culture that encourages curiosity, growth, and the pursuit of knowledge—both in and out of the “classroom.” For more about this, check out our post on homeschool preschool!

3. Set a Homeschool Schedule

One of the greatest advantages of homeschooling is its flexibility. Remember that you aren’t tied to the traditional 8-to-3 school day! Design a schedule that works for your family. There are many different options to consider as you decide what you want a homeschool schedule to look like for your family.

• Set School Hours: You may decide that your family functions best on a tight schedule. If you want to always eat breakfast at 8am, start school at 9am, and eat lunch at 12pm, go for it!
• Block Scheduling: Maybe you want to focus on fewer subjects each day. So, Monday/Wednesday/Friday become math, science, and P..E. days, while Tuesday/Thursday are focused on history, language arts, and home economics.
• Year-Round Homeschooling: Take a more relaxed approach, spreading learning throughout the year with frequent breaks. Some friends of ours do this and love it, doing school for six weeks and then taking a full week off throughout the year rather than having a traditional summer break.

And remember, the flexibility of homeschooling means you can adapt as you go. You don’t have to get everything perfect from the start! Experiment with different schedules until you find the one that fits your family’s needs.

4. Create a Learning Environment

Your homeschool space doesn’t need to look like a traditional classroom, but having a dedicated learning area can help create focus. Whether it’s your kitchen table, a corner of your living room, or a dedicated school room, setting up a comfortable, organized space will set the tone for learning.

Tips for creating a homeschool learning environment:

• Use shelves, bins, and baskets to organize supplies.
• Make the space inviting with comfy seating, plants, or posters.
• Keep everything you need for daily lessons easily accessible.
• Decorate with educational posters for an added learning flair!

A well-organized learning environment will help both you and your child feel more productive and focused. However, don’t be afraid to change it up when the kids (or you) are struggling—some of my most memorable school times are on the couch or on a picnic blanket in the backyard!

5. Connect with the Homeschool Community

Homeschooling doesn’t mean you have to go it alone. There are countless homeschool communities that offer support, guidance, and socialization opportunities for your children.

How to connect with homeschoolers:

• Local homeschool co-ops provide opportunities for group learning, field trips, and social activities.
• Homeschool conventions are amazing places to meet like-minded families, browse resources and curriculum options, and be inspired by speakers.
• Online homeschool groups and forums are great places to share tips, curriculum ideas, encouragement, and meet other homeschool families.

By building a network, you’ll gain valuable resources and feel more confident about your homeschooling journey.

6. Prepare for the Transition

The switch to homeschooling isn’t always seamless, and it’s normal for both you and your child to need time to adjust. The key is to be patient and flexible, allowing time to find a routine that works.

Remember, you don’t have to do everything at once. Start slow by gradually introducing subjects! Be open to changing your schedule or curriculum as needed. And give yourself and your children grace—homeschooling is a learning curve for everyone.

It’s okay to have a few rocky days (or weeks!). Over time, you’ll find your groove, and homeschooling may just become the opportunity and blessing you never knew you needed.

You’ve Got This!

Starting your homeschooling journey may feel overwhelming, but it is an incredibly rewarding experience. Homeschooling is about finding what works best for your child and family, so don’t be afraid to experiment, adapt, and grow along the way. You’ve got this!

Are you new to homeschooling or have tips to share? Drop your thoughts in the comments below, and let’s support each other on this homeschooling journey!