Where to Start When You Think You Want to Homeschool

There are approximately 1,564,342 questions and concerns that come up when you decide to homeschool. As a mom who was fully engrained in the public school system, I can tell you that the number is a bit higher when you start in a “system” and switch to the freedom of homeschooling.

We pulled our two kids out of the public school system in 2020 out of necessity because we didn’t believe kids should have to wear masks. We felt a deep conviction that mask wearing could cause a number of problems. Up until then though, we didn’t have many complaints with our public elementary school. We loved the principal and I intentionally worked to have good relationships with my kids’ teachers. I can recall two complaints I had in the 5 years that we attended.

When you decide to pull your kids from a “system” school (public, private or charter) it’s overwhelming to say the least. I have gotten quite a few phone calls over the years from people asking where they start and expressing their fear and overwhelm.

The first thing, and the most important in my eyes to remember is this: God gave you these specific children for a reason. He is also going to equip you with everything you need to teach them! Followed by: The good news is you’re completely in charge and the bad news is you’re completely in charge! Then I laugh to try and lighten the mood.

It’s very much like when you have your first baby. We had two homebirths but I imagine the experience would be similar to any birth situation. When the “professionals” are gone and you are left alone with your baby, you think, “Do they realize I’ve never done this before? How can they trust me with this tiny human being?”. It’s absolutely overwhelming.

Yes, you read all the books and listened intently to all the advice given, but oh my goodness, it’s a whole different ballgame when you are holding a tiny human who is completely relying on you for their survival. That’s indeed a lot of pressure.

Deciding to homeschool after being in public school is very similar! Suddenly, you left the “professionals” and you’re alone, with the responsibility of teaching your kids-everything! It’s terrifying. OR, or, just hear me out, incredibly liberating and exciting!

Shortly after we started homeschooling I realized how exciting this was going to be to learn beside my children. There have been so many things that I learned as a child and just plain forgot! We now have the opportunity and true gift to learn beside each other.

So, here’s where you start after you realize that God is going to provide everything you need:

1. Find out what your homeschooling laws are in your state. The HSLDA (Homeschool Legal Defense Association) is a great place to start! Your state may also have a homeschool organization with helpful information. In Wyoming we have Homeschool Wyoming.

   
   

2. What format or educational philosophy do you want to explore? Honestly, I didn’t know this was a thing when I first started researching. I probably Googled something like, “I’m new to homeschooling, where do I start?". There are so many different options: Classical, Unit Studies, Unschooling, Montessori and Eclectic to name a few. Here are some websites to learn about the different types of education:

   
   

   • https://www.wanderschool.com/2015/08/06/10-educational-approaches-and-philosophies-to-homeschooling/

   • https://simplehomeschool.net/educational-philosophies-defined-part-i/

   • https://homeschoolcompass.com/homeschooling-philosophies-and-methods/

An important thing to keep in mind when choosing an education philosophy is that your decision doesn’t have to be forever. If you choose unschooling for example, and you realize that you need more structure or guidance, then you try something new! As long as you’re following your state’s laws and putting thought into what works best for your child and family, then everything will be fine! Over the five years that we’ve been homeschooling, I’ve changed approaches a few different times because I learned that my choice didn’t fit or wasn’t working. This is part of the magic of homeschooling is that you are free to change and adapt and pivot to your child and life!

3. Choose your curriculum: After I got rid of my first-year jitters, this is truthfully one of my favorite parts of homeschooling! It might be because I love shopping, or it might be because I learn something new each year and I choose curriculum based on what worked and what didn’t. There are hundreds, if not thousands of choices. After a couple of “fails” with newer companies, I tend to stick to the companies that have been around a long time. Since there’s been a steep rise in homeschooling in the last five years, it makes sense that there are many many new curriculum companies popping up. I’m not saying they’re all bad; however, I am saying that homeschooling has been around for a lot longer than five years and I more trust the in the established companies. I found it helpful to create a spreadsheet when researching curriculum. In the columns I put the criteria that I’m looking for (e.g. all-in-one, automatic grading, price) and in the rows I type the specific curriculum name. This helps keep everything organized so I can be sure I’m getting what I want and need.

   
   

4. Don’t forget to set a budget! With the multitude of choices, it’s extremely easy to get carried away and you must know that you do not have to spend a fortune on your child’s education. Cathy Duffy is a reputable site and has wonderful reviews and also lists of free resources! It’s also a great idea to check other places for what you want. Your community might have used curriculum sales or trading sites and I’ve even found eBay helpful to find cheaper options on curriculum and books that I want to buy.

   
   

5. Talk to the experts (other homeschool moms). Find your local homeschool groups on social media and ask questions! Go to homeschool activities and get to know other moms. We really do get together and talk about curriculum, successes, failures and philosophies! I’m sure you have a wealth of knowledge in your community; tap into it!

   
   

6. Attend a homeschool convention. Attending my local homeschool convention was pivotal in our homeschool journey. I gained an immense amount of inspiration and confidence and vision during my first convention, which of course led to my second convention where I was reinvigorated to continue. I look forward to the next Wyoming convention to do the same thing; I want to be inspired, learn and grow so I can give my children everything they need.

   
   

7. Be okay with being different. If you’re leaving the public school system, chances are, your circle is public school families. This is okay, but they will ask you questions and question your choices. Even our family members questioned us for the first few years! Israel Wayne wrote a book entitled, Answers for Homeschooling which has answers for the top 25 questions about homeschooling.

   
   

8. Pray! The bible calls us to teach our children. Like I said in the beginning, God will give you everything you need to homeschool your children, but you do need to pray and listen and be intentional about letting the Lord guide you in this process.

   
   
   
   

In conclusion, the journey into homeschooling, while initially daunting, is a path filled with immense potential for connection, personalized learning, and the joy of discovering the world alongside your children. By taking these initial steps – understanding your state's laws, exploring educational philosophies, researching curriculum, setting a budget, connecting with other homeschoolers, considering a convention, embracing your unique path, and above all, seeking guidance – you'll build a solid foundation for a rewarding and successful homeschooling experience. Take a deep breath, trust your instincts, and enjoy the adventure!