14 Oct 10 Things to Know Before You Start Homeschooling

Years ago, when I decided to start homeschooling my children, I didn’t have many friends or acquaintances who homeschooled. I couldn’t pick the brains of other homeschooling moms, and I never had the opportunity to sit down with a cup of coffee to drill them with my endless list of questions. Despite this, we have somehow managed to navigate the elementary, and now pre-teen years of homeschooling with any massive regrets. Homeschooling has been an incredible blessing to our family. That being said, however, it hasn’t always been easy. I’ve made many mistakes along the way and there are a few things I wish I would have known before I started this journey. If you’re thinking about homeschooling, or are in the early stages of homeschooling, here are 10 things to know before you start:

1. Homeschool is Not Public School

When it comes to homeschooling, it’s important to remember that it is not remotely the same as attending public school. Homeschooling offers us the unique opportunity to step out of the traditional school structure. Our children do not need to be confined to a traditional classroom setting, traditional curriculum, or even traditional classroom set-up. We do not need desks and chairs, whiteboards, textbooks, assignments, or even grades. Not one of these things makes a good student, or creates a person who loves learning. They do, however, limit a homeschooler’s potential for experiential learning, and put unnecessary pressure on families to conform to an institution that they have chosen to opt out of.

Homeschool is not public school, and it should not look like it, feel like it, or even smell like it. If you are trying to mimic the structure of public school, you are missing out on some of the greatest benefits of homeschooling! It’s important to take advantage of homeschooling’s freedom and flexibility. You get to customize your child’s education! This may mean more hands-on activities, or allowing for more time outdoors. It can mean your child has the opportunity to pursue their passions. It means you move at your own pace, embracing the fact that each child will learn different subjects at a different rate or in a different order. This ability to tailor our children’s education cannot be matched by the public education system.

Ultimately, homeschooling should focus on finding alternative ways for children to acquire knowledge and skills, rather than attempting to replicate the experience of public school at home. Trust in your children’s curiosity and allow them to lead the way – even if it’s scary at first! Don’t be afraid to think outside the box! Embrace your new-found freedom – after all, this is what makes homeschooling so special!

2. Find Your Tribe

If you are a homeschooler, it can be easy to feel isolated and alone. Finding your tribe – whether it be a local homeschool group, a play group, a book club, or a homeschool co-op, is an important step in the homeschooling journey. Not only will you develop a network of friends (for yourself and your children), but you will have the opportunity to learn from experienced homeschooling parents. You will learn about, and gain access to resources and support that you never knew about. These groups also often offer specialized classes and extracurricular activities that can supplement what you are teaching at home, providing a well-rounded education.

For many years, I did not have a tribe. We tried co-op after co-op, trying to find the best fit. When we finally found our tribe it was pure delight. It’s refreshing and life-giving to spend an afternoon or evening with others who understand the unique challenges that come with homeschooling. So take the opportunity early on in your journey, and connect with other homeschoolers in your area. It is so worth it!

3. Choose a Curriculum That Allows for Peace in the Home

It’s not easy to choose a curriculum or homeschool philosophy – especially in the beginning. There were so many sparkly choices! I clearly remember that dreadful feeling of overwhelm And that feeling didn’t get better once I had made my choice. I spent far too long frantically trying to get everything done in the time allotted. It wasn’t until I read the book, Teaching from Rest: A Homeschooler’s Guide to Unshakable Peace by Sarah Mackenzie, that I recognized the stress I was creating. This book was a game-changer for me. It taught me the importance of cutting out excess material until I felt at peace. By simplifying our homeschooling journey, we have been able to focus on our children’s individual needs and cultivate a peaceful learning environment. True learning will never be accomplished in a stressful environment.

The truth is, this lesson applies to not just homeschooling, but every aspect of our lives, where we are burdened with excessive work and unrealistic expectations. Sometimes simplifying and cutting back can do wonders for our home and our family.

4. You Are The Best Teacher for Your Students

As a homeschool parent, you may feel underqualified and maybe intimidated to teach your children. Believe me, it’s normal to feel this way – and it’s probably a feeling that you will revisit often. You may not have formal credentials or qualifications, or any experience teaching. But believe it or not, there is no doubt that you are the perfect teacher for your child. You know you child better than anyone – their strengths and weaknesses, their interests and passions. And you have the unique opportunity to tailor the material and teaching style to their specific needs.

(By the way, here’s a big secret that you will learn as you go: You don’t actually teach your children anything. Your job is to put your children in the way of things worth learning, and if they choose to learn them, they will. Our goal as homeschool parents is to stay out of the way of their learning, and allow it to take place. This sets them up for a love of learning for the rest of their lives.)

You and your child share a love and a bond that can never be duplicated at school. Combined with parental guidance and support, homeschooling can provide an education far superior to any other. So don’t underestimate yourself as a homeschool teacher – take pride in the fact that you are perfectly equipped to provide your child with a personalized education that will set them up for success.

5. Your Homeschool Will Not (And Should Not) Look Like Anyone Else’s

We’ve mentioned that your homeschool should not look like public school – we should also mention that it should not look like your friend’s homeschool either. Each family has their own unique dynamic, individual strengths and weaknesses, and specific educational goals. So don’t be afraid if your homeschool looks totally different from your friends’ or even from what you imagined it would be – as long as it’s working for your family, that’s all that matters. Embrace the freedom and creativity that comes with homeschooling and trust in your ability to provide your children with a high quality education that is personalized to them.

6. Embrace Flexibility and Forget Perfection

As homeschooling parents, you probably have a plan in place for your children’s education. I’m not here to discourage you in that, but I want to send a gentle reminder that it’s so important to remember that being flexible and letting go of perfection can be key to maintaining sanity and finding success. This applies to so many aspects of homeschooling. Your chosen curriculum may not be working. Don’t be afraid to let it go, even if you’ve spent too much money on it. Your schedule may be too full and may be causing stress. You may need to evaluate whether it is your servant or your master. There will be unexpected events, bad days, sickness, or impromptu field trips. Each situation will require you to pivot and be flexible.

Instead of striving for perfection, the important thing is to prioritize the needs of your family. Don’t let yourself get too caught up in achieving perfection – being flexible can lead to great memories, and a more enjoyable and successful learning experience in the long run.

7. Look After Yourself

It’s pretty easy, as a homeschool mom, to get so focused on the needs of our family, as well as the daily grind of homeschooling that we forget to give ourselves a break. Even if you are enjoying every minute with your children, if you are not intentional about setting aside some downtime for yourself, there will come a time that you will burn out. It took me several years – we were loving homeschooling so much that we didn’t even want to stop for the summers. We truly loved it! But it eventually caught up with us, and I was forced to acknowledge the need to stop for a break.

As the saying goes, you cannot pour from an empty cup. You must take care of yourself, by looking after your health, getting enough sleep, and avoiding stress and overwhelm. Take breaks throughout the day, if needed. Sprinkle relaxing subjects between the more active or intellectually challenging subjects. Schedule some downtime in the middle of the day for everyone. Take a month off if needed. Only then will you have the balance and resources to give your children the energy and attention that they – and you deserve.

8. You Do Not Have to Consider Uninvited Opinions

You may find it surprising how many people want to share uninvited opinions about your homeschooling decision. It’s not just family and friends, it’s the grocery store clerk, your pediatrician, your dentist, your child’s swimming instructor – almost everyone you come in contact with. But here’s the truth – no one knows your family and your situation like you do. You are the one who has put in the time researching, studying, praying, and struggling to decide what is right for you. Don’t ever let someone who has not done these things influence your decision. You don’t need to explain yourself. Trust your choice and your intuition, knowing that you are creating the best future for your children.

9. There is No Behind

One of my biggest fears, as a new homeschooler, was that my children would fall behind. I have always worked full-time, and was concerned that my work hours would interfere with my ability to homeschool. Over time, I have realized that comparing our homeschool to public school does us all a great disservice. We do not follow the public school curriculum, and so we are not actually able to compare ourselves. What public school students are doing at my children’s age, truly has nothing to do with what we are doing. The incredible benefit of our constant one-on-one instruction, and our ability to personalize instruction, is a reassuring guarantee that our children are getting a top-notch education, even when we take vacations and extended breaks.

10. This is Your Chance to Make Memories With Your Family

As a homeschooler, you have more flexibility when it comes to scheduling and planning. This means that you have the unique opportunity to create lasting memories with your family by doing things like taking trips, going on vacation, or visiting museums and local events together. These experiences are wonderful opportunities for learning in real-world settings. Homeschooling allows for more time spent with your family, allowing for strong bonds to form through shared experiences and adventures. So take advantage of this opportunity – homeschooling gives you the chance to make even more unforgettable memories with your loved ones!

Homeschooling is an amazing journey that comes with its own set of unique challenges. If you’re thinking about homeschooling or are in the early stages of homeschooling, I hope these 10 points can help you with these challenges. The more you know before you start, the better prepared you will be for your homeschooling journey.