This post is for the new homeschooling mom who feels like this: “I have always wanted to homeschool my children. With all that is going on in the schools, I really think I would like to do this! But I have absolutely no idea how to start!”
You are not alone!
Back in the 80s and 90s, new homeschooling moms felt the same way. I remember going to my first homeschool support group meeting with moms who had been homeschooling for a couple of years. They were talking about books and curriculum, while I had no idea where to even buy books for homeschooling!
Things have certainly changed since then. Today there are a plethora of options! But that still leaves a newbie with the most basic of questions: How do I start?
Books To Start Your Journey!
Again, this is for moms who have it on their hearts to homeschool their children. Response to the pandemic, social issues, and even school shootings are just an excuse to actually do it!
In the beginning, when you get ready to actually homeschool it doesn’t hurt to have some good resources to strengthen your resolve and help you find your own style and way of running your homeschool. Here are some of my favorite books that have helped me on the journey.
The Booklist!
“100 Top Picks For Homeschool Curriculum: Choosing the Right Educational Philosophy for Your Child’s Learning Style” ISBN-10: 0805431381
ISBN-13: 978-0805431384
This one by Cathy Duffy is a good place to start. As a new homeschooling mom, you might not even know you have a teaching style! This book just helps you to see your preferences and strengths and funnel that into the way you educate your children at home.
Mary Pride has been around a long time and she was the first place I went to when I started back in the 90s. This is still a great place to start just to get a feel for what home education really is.
The Big Book of Home Learning : Getting Started: Introduces All Major Home School Methods & Answers Your Most Frequently Asked Questions
ISBN-10: 0740300067 ISBN-13: 978-07403
Anything by the late great Dr. Raymond Moore and his wife Dorothy is helpful. I particularly got a lot of encouragement and insight out of this one. I think the term “Stress-Free” is what sold me.
This one was also very helpful to me because I had sons and two of them developed much later, especially when it came to reading. I found this very reassuring.
A recent new favorite is The Brave Learner by Julie Bogart. She really turns school at home on its head in just the first few pages! If you are leaning towards delight in homeschool, this is the book for you!
And maybe most importantly, you have to bring order to your home and family first and foremost before anything else! This book helped me to figure out what my priorities are and keep that in mind as I homeschooled our children.
Holly Pierot
“A Mother’s Rule of Life: How to Bring Order to Your Home and Peace to Your Soul”
ISBN-10: 1928832415 ISBN-13: 978-1928832416
This book is out of print, but you find it once in a while on Amazon or Ebay. Luckily, Elizabeth keeps a blog and you can read many of her philosophies and find her resources there. This Homeschool Mom even did a podcast about it.
Elizabeth Foss
“Real Learning: Education in the Heart of the Home”
ISBN-10: 0971889511 ISBN-13: 978-0971889514
Many moms coming to homeschooling because of the pandemic had a taste of doing school at home. That was not really a good example of what Homeschooling truly is and can be. This book really explains how to take care of yourself while homescooling your children.
That should be enough to get you started! Just remember to enjoy this journey. You’ll be learning a lot about yourself as a teacher and that’s a skill you will be able to use the rest of your life!
First published, July 20, 2020
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