How to Start Homeschooling Your Kids
Links included may be affiliate links. My family may receive a small commission if you make a purchase. Thank you for your support! For more information, see our terms, privacy policy, and disclaimer. Campfire Curriculums sent us this curriculum for free for our family to review. All opinions are my own.
How to Start Homeschooling Your Kids
I get asked by many friends and family members about how to start homeschooling your kids. In fact, it’s probably one of the main reasons why people contact me these days. With the recent rise in school shootings, violence, and agenda-pushing in public schools, it’s no wonder why parents are alarmed. Many are asking themselves if they can do a better job. I usually respond with a loud, resounding YES!
Childhood seems to go by so fast, doesn’t it? One minute they are babies, and they next they are teenagers. We recently finished our 6th year of homeschool, and nothing has surprised me more than how fast it’s gone by. Homeschooling has allowed me to be with my kids for all those moments I would have missed. The first book they read, watching their eyes light up when they understand long division, the poignant conversations about war, my husband and I have been there through all of it. In fact, I didn’t realize how much I was missing until I pulled my oldest out of school. He was in 3rd grade at the time. He’s not going into 10th grade, and he has never been happier. But, how did we get here?
Another homeschooling year has passed, and my kids are growing into teens. We wrapped up our 6th year of homeschool May 31st!
Need help with homeschooling? Not sure where to start? Click the button below for guided help from a former teacher and homeschool mom.
How to Begin Homeschooling - Basics
If you look online, you’ll no doubt be slammed with article after article and video after video on the topic of how to begin homeschooling. Here’s some basic information that will be helpful to you as you start this journey.
Homeschooling my high schooler! I can’t believe he’s 15 already.
Each state in the US has their own laws for homeschooling. Some states are easier than others, but it’s legal to homeschool in every state in the US. The first thing you need to do is research your specific state laws and find out all the legal information. Don’t let this part scare you, even in the states where more paperwork is needed, it’s still pretty simple. A good place to find information is your state department of education website and the Homeschool Legal Defense Association (or HSLDA). I also recommend getting an HSLDA membership. My husband and I are both members and it’s only $10/mo.
Curriculum doesn’t need to be overwhelming or expensive. This is what trips many parents up. As a former teacher, I’m pretty familiar with curriculum. The books can look large and intimidating, but try to familiarize yourself with the books before the school year starts. There are free curriculum programs out there (like Ambleside Online) and there are even accredited academies like A Beka Academy. Your child’s education is not going to be determined by how much you spend on books.
Co-ops and socialization. Co-ops are groups of homeschoolers in the community that get together and do/teach a certain subject so many times a month. Usually the class is taught by one or more parents in the group. They go on field trips and do activities together. Do you need to do a co-op? Nope. I have never had my kids in one, and they are plenty socialized. Some kids love it, some kids don’t. Don’t pressure yourself into thinking you have to join if you or your kids don’t want to. There are plenty of other ways to get together with friends.
Homeschoolers have many of the same opportunities as their public-school peers. They can join sports, electives, and even dual enrollment just like public school kids. Each place will be different, so there may be exceptions to this rule, but generally, most places allow this. I have the option where I live to send my kids to the local high school for driver’s ed if I want. There are still lots of opportunities available to you as a homeschool family.
Highly recommend that you start following a few homeschool mom YouTube channels. I have my personal one that you can follow for all kinds of first year and beyond tips and tricks. I also specialize in reviewing curriculum and doing flip-throughs so you can see what you’re buying. My channel is The Handmade Homeschooler and I upload twice a week on Monday and Wednesday. Make sure to subscribe and hit the “bell” icon to get notifications for my new videos.
Groups! Groups are a HUGE help, and I’ve created one to help you. Join my free Christian homeschool mom facebook group. There are thousands of homeschool moms that will drop everything and help you when you have a question. I learned so much from these online friends my first year. Not only is it super helpful, but this group is by far the nicest, most polite group of women in the homeschooling world. You won’t find a better support system than that group right there.
Homeschooling space. When we started homeschooling, it was at our kitchen table. You do NOT need a homeschool room or classroom set up. You just need a place like your kitchen table. Many kids do school in the kitchen, the couch, or even on their bed. Don’t think you need to recreate a classroom in your house. If you want to, and have the space, perfect! But it’s not needed or necessary.
Homeschool Supplies. Kids still need some supplies like paper, pens, art supplies, etc. I’ve got a list of my favorite cheap brands to keep costs down on Amazon. Check out the list here. No breaking the bank required.
School hours. You do not need to have set hours or have to follow what the school does in your county. YOU make your own schedule. If you can only school at night because you work during the day, that’s fine. Many parents do this! I work from home and we keep odd hours sometimes, too! As long as you are within the requirements of the state, you’re fine.
Kids can still graduate, get a diploma, go to college, and join the military! Yes, I promise. Colleges accept homeschoolers. Very few, and I mean VERY few, do not.
Homeschooling How-To, Step by Step
I wanted to create a resource just for new homeschooling parents. As a former teacher, I know the struggle many parents are facing. I know how the school system works. I know how homeschooling works. I know it’s super intimidating. I was scared to death to take the leap!
But you don’t have to be. I made a video resource course for you on how to do this. Don’t let the word “course” scare you. It’s a group of organized videos that explain how to dis-enroll your child from public school, how to set up your homeschool, how to choose and buy curriculum, how to TEACH the curriculum, and even teaching groups of students of different ages.
Helpful Videos for Beginning Homeschool
All videos taken from my Homeschool Youtube channel, The Handmade Homeschooler.
5 Steps to Homeschool Your Kids
How to dis-enroll your child from public school
My favorite homeschool curriculum brands
Scared to Homeschool? This is for you.
Why Parents Quit Homeschooling
Advice for New Homeschooling Parents
Homeschooling is Worth it
There’s so many things I could write here, but the most important point is this; your kids are worth it.
I could go into the statistics about homeschoolers and show you how much better they preform than public schoolers in college. I could show you the numbers comparing the test scores of public school kids vs homeschoolers to prove it. But in the end, that’s not the point.
The point is that homeschooling is worth it. Your kids are worth it. You have these kids for 18 years, what will you do with that time? I’m choosing to educate my kids, saturate them in the Word of God, and spend as much time as the Lord allows me to with them. In the end, I don’t care what score they get on the SAT’s or what grade their professor gives them in Economics. I care about who they become as adults. I care about their walk with God. That is supreme to my husband and I. Nothing else matters in the grand scheme. Yes, we want them to do well in math (and yes, we teach them math, for those of you wanting to pounce), but will their times tables matter when they are standing before a righteous and holy God at the end of their life? Not a chance.
Homeschooling our children allows us to walk with them in faith. We are “training up our children”, as the Word says. Their souls are worth this, every bit of this, and more.
As a Christian child, I was public schooled. The schools taught me everything against God’s Word. It was only by the mercy of God that I remained a Christian. Today, the numbers prove that most children who claim to be Christian in the public school system, leave the faith by their first year of college. I didn’t want my children being part of that statistic. As a Christian kid in public school, my faith was laughed at, mocked, and ridiculed all through school and college. I felt really lonely at times. Church once a week wasn’t enough to counter the attacks I had daily on my faith, from 8am-3pm. It confused my faith, and I didn’t come to real understanding or growth in Christ until I was an adult.
We wanted to give our kids more, and we are. We can give them Christian education and a Biblical worldview that helps them understand how God made the world, and them.
So is it a sacrifice? Maybe. We don’t look at it like that. Homeschooling is an INVESTMENT in your children and their future. It’s one I’m willing to make everyday.
Until next time,
Soli Deo Gloria,
Mandy
