Homeschool- Where Do I Start? Your 4 Steps to Getting Started

One of the biggest questions I had when my husband and I decided we were going to homeschool was where to even begin. I didn’t really know what or how to make it all happen. I was a little nervous about making the transition. And I definitely didn’t want to break any laws! Fortunately, I happened upon a Facebook group of homeschool moms, and I quickly figured out the first three steps I needed to take to make it all happen.

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Step One- Find out your state’s laws regarding homeschool

In order to prevent any questions from your local school district or unwanted visitors from the truancy officer, you have to follow the law. Homeschool laws vary from state to state, so it’s important to know exactly what your state requires. Some states don’t require anything; others require documents, tests, and other miscellaneous paperwork. It’s very important that you know what your state requires, and then simply comply with the requirements.

My family along with countless others follow Ohio law each year with no troubles. Nevertheless, every year there are countless people in homeschool groups losing their minds because they didn’t follow the law and have been contacted by their local school district. Save yourself a hassle, research your state’s laws regarding homeschool, and you’ll be on your way. You can find the laws for all 50 states here.

Step 2- Brainstorm and Plan

Ask yourself the following questions to help kick-start your homeschool journey. You can download a printable version of this list here :

• Thinking about your children’s education, what are your goals for your children?
• What educational philosophy or style of learning fits your family’s needs?
• When will you start homeschooling? Now? Next school year? Winter break?
• What schedule will you follow? How many days per week will you school? Will you school year-round or follow the 9-month calendar?
• Do you want to incorporate interest-based activities? Unit studies?
• Do you have a special needs child who will require you to move at a slower pace? Do you have a gifted child who wants to dive deeper into certain topics or move quickly?
• What type of curriculum do you want to use? Will you attend a homeschool convention in your area?
• Are there co-ops in your area? Will you join a co-op?
• Are you going to enroll in extracurricular classes?
• What is your budget for materials and activities?
• Where in your house will you complete school work?

Step 3- Adopt A Homeschool Mindset

Odds are good that even if you’re planning to homeschool your children today, you weren’t homeschooled growing up. Homeschooling was something weirdos and religious zealots did, not the neighbor across the street or that cool mom from the gym. If that’s the case, you (like me and so many others) have some pre-conceived notions about what school should be like.

You’ve likely got some ingrained ideas about what a school day should look like, what subjects should be taught, and how long it should take to complete your work for the day. For me, this has been a tricky area. Not only was I a public school student, but I was also a public school teacher. Because of these experiences, I had a very limited view regarding what school should be. The first year I was constantly trying to replicate my public school experiences at my home. Don’t do it.

Homeschool is not supposed to be school at home. I had to really let that sink in before I actually believed it. Here are some of the things I had to accept before I could enjoy homeschool:

• Learning takes place everywhere, not just within the walls of a school building.
• Pursuing our interests rather than the state-mandated curriculum was far more engaging and beneficial to my children.
• Nurturing my children as individual learners is far more important than finishing a workbook by a certain date.
• A standardized test doesn’t determine my child’s ability to invent creative solutions or their ability to show kindness to a stranger.

Part of being a homeschool family is letting go of the traditional idea of school as an institution. It’s something that takes time but is so important to your success. Letting go of “doing school at home” and embracing homeschooling is such a freeing, exciting pursuit. Your family will grow and learn in ways you never imagined nor would you have had the opportunity for if your children weren’t home with you.

Step 4- Get Connected

Plug into the homeschool community. Joining other families on Facebook, Pinterest, and blogs are a great source of ideas and inspiration for me. And don’t forget the books! Read, read, read! Consult your local homeschool groups for tips and encouragement. Check out a convention if you’re excited about it.

Getting connected and being part of a community is so important to families. There are plenty of places on the web and in real life that you can find to get connected with like-minded people. Look for them, because they’re out there!