Are you thinking of homeschooling, starting homeschooling, or in need of a reset to your homeschooling?
Today, more and more parents are choosing to begin a new educational journey by homeschooling.
Parents starting the homeschool journey are either excited to begin or nervous they may not do it right. I get it! These feelings are real.
Did you ever find yourself thinking, “Homeschooling? Never in my wildest dreams?” Then, all of the sudden you are here at the beginning of this new adventure.
You are certainly not alone! Many parents have shared that same sentiment. I remember feeling exactly that way when I unexpectedly found myself in need of educating my own children at home years ago.
I once was where you are now, wondering where to begin. I did not have homeschool veterans to talk to. I was on my own. I had the book store and library to guide me, the internet was not available, yet. I struggled at first, I made some mistakes, and even had a false start. Yes, I learned from the mistakes and false start. I observed, shifted, discovered resources, and found my rhythm. Eventually, I attended a conference. I met veteran homeschoolers and met other homeschoolers. I learned and grew. I spoke at conferences, ran a homeschool group, and helped other parents find their way.
Whether you’re just starting out, considering the shift, or hoping to refresh your current approach, you might be wondering: Where do I begin—and how do I make this fulfilling for my whole family? How do I help my family love learning and love home schooling? And how do I avoid burnout?
Before you try to secure curriculum, take time to pause! Learn more about homeschooling, find community, and adapt your home life. Life takes on a different rhythm when we’re together around the clock. So, take a pause. Some call this pause phase de-schooling, a reset, or detox. This is essential. I like to call it a new beginning.
In that spirit, here are six actionable steps to help you thrive on your homeschooling journey.
6 Ways to Love & Rock Your Home School
1. A Clear Vision: Document Your Motivations
Life is not all sunshine and rainbows. There will be challenges along the way. Clarity in your "why" can become your anchor on those hard days. Write down your thoughts and be specific—Why have you chosen to homeschool? What compells you to start this journey? You might want to include a video or a voice recording of your why. Revisiting your why can be strengthening. Hearing your own conviction, joy, and resolve about homeschooling, can be a real lift and inspire you forward.
I find reflection helpful in becoming clear on your why. Reflect through prayer and the lens of your faith. Seek scriptural guidance. Picture your family at the end of this journey. What transformation do you hope to see in your children and your home life? What is your big-picture vision?
2. Mom Culture - Self-care for Moms
Take time to nurture yourself. Build this time into your family rhythms!
Get inspired! There is nothing more inspiring to children than the example of an inspired parent. think about it, the teachers that most students were motivated by, were those who were inspired themselves.
Consider immersing yourself in learning about homeschooling. Read some articles and books. Listen to a few podcasts.
Mental clarity, emotional resilience, spiritual grounding, and physical stamina all matter. Prioritizing self-care isn’t selfish—it’s essential. If you're not well, the whole family feels it.
You can homeschool, cultivate a joyful home, and take care of yourself. In fact, your well-being is a cornerstone of success.
3. Lay a Strong Foundation
When we bring our children home to homeschool them, the home and family dynamics will change. We are no longer dropping our children off at school for someone else to teach all day, or being the homework monitor when the children get home.
Create a family life that supports homeschooling, you will be glad you did. This is not the time to focus on academics, yet. Typically, this new beginning, reset, detox, de-schooling, or transition, can take about one month for each year your children (and you) were formally educated, including academic preschool. Yes, it may take time to shift your mindset.
This is a space in time to strengthen core values and allegiance, deeply reconnect with our children, and foster a vibrant love of learning.
What daily habits, routines and activities will help your homeschool run smoothly?
- Family Devotion
- Shared Meal Time
- Read Aloud Time
- Steps Toward Independent Work:
- Discipline of Habit (0-99)
- Family Work (3 through adulthood)
- Dominion Training (8-14+)
- Dominion (14+ on)
- Consistent Bedtime Routines
- Quiet Time
- Leisure time for Learn
- Family Recital Time
- Family Fun
- Wild Days (Nature Walks)
- Crazy Days (Field trips)
- Cultural Refinement
These rhythms and more, can help shape the atmosphere of environment, of your your home, into a nurturing and productive environment.
4. Record-Keeping
Record keeping, even in this initial stage of homeschool is important. Keep it simple with a composition notebook. At the top of each page, write the date. Then include two sections:
- Family Learning: A place to jot down group activities and later, a place to jot down academics done as a family.
- One-on-One Time: this is a place to record about individual activities of each child. Encourage your children to tell you about what they've learned independently and include that as well. And later, this becomes a place to record individualized work with each child.
5. Check the Pulse (Assess)
Assessment is vital. However, parents are not really ready to assess their children until they have spent time shifting from the public school mindset and time observing their children.
Evaluate your current situation. Take a moment to assess not only your personal strengths, but also assess the family culture, and each member of the family. Identify areas that need growth—social, emotional, physical, intellectual, and spiritual.
This assessment is your starting place and helps you build a homeschool plan that truly fits your family.
6. Mapping Your Home Education Journey: Master Actualization Plan (M.A.P.)
With your why and vision in place, and after you have addressed Mom Culture, laid in place a solid foundation, began record keeping, and have assessed, you are ready to create your Master Actualization Plan (M.A.P.). Chart your course by creating a M.A.P.
Think through what resources and traditions you want in place to foster:
- Building Your Home Library
- Cultivating Family Culture
- Enhancing Preparedness
- Literacy and Education
- Career / Life Mission / Life Purpose
- Resourcefulness
- Provident Living
- Physical Health
- Social Development
- Emotional Health
- Spiritual Strength
- Incorporating Travel
- Creating a Collection of Unforgettable Events
Now that you have a "why", a vision, transitioned, assessed, and created a plan, you are ready to consider which resources to prioritize and purchase. If it is beyond your budget to begin with, consider how you and your children can work together, using your creativity and skills, to raise the funds. When children are involved working towards that goal, they are more likely to buy into using the resources. Also, you are more likely to select resources that will help you reach your vision, than just purchasing trending resources. Once the financial goal is reached, order the resources. It will be like Christmas as the boxes arrive.
What about Pre-schoolers?
Have little ones at home? Focus on developmentally appropriate learning and play.
Over the next six weeks, I’ll explore each of these steps in more detail. My hope is that you’ll grow more confident, feel less stressed, and most importantly—enjoy the journey!
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