So many families are either starting homeschool this year or transitioning over from online schools since the great pandemic. I’ve read many of their comments and questions online and I think when you distill it all down what new homeschool moms really want to know is, what do I do first?
Make it Legal!
First please know that homeschooling is legal in all 50 states. However, each state has different requirements. The first thing practical thing you have to do to legally homeschool in your state is to find out what those requirements are and meet them. You can see an overview here. I wrote specifically about Ohio regulations here.
It’s also a good idea to join the Homeschool Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) as well. Even after 20 years of homeschooling, there are still administrators and principals who don’t really know the regs in their states. When they overstep, HSLDA is a great resource to have on your side.
Knowing your state’s regulations and meeting them is the first part of homeschooling and probably the most serious. But if you met your regs and are ready to homeschool then what?
School at Home is not the same as school at school!
School at home is NOT the same as school at school. Nor should it be. You have freedom at home and your kids have more opportunities. I have always fought against being shackled to any one curriculum or way of doing things. Catholics are kind of notorious for sticking with one of the prominent Catholic Curriculum providers and staying there. And while I have from time to time used Seton, Kolbe, or Mother of Divine Grace materials, I never signed on to be exclusive with one. There are a lot of good providers of homeschool materials and I wanted to be able to choose whatever I wanted. Cathy Duffy’s site of curriculum reviews is a good place to start while you’re learning what works for your child and your family.
Give Yourself Time!
Remember when you learned a new skill like driving, playing an instrument, or even how to get along with your spouse during your first year of marriage? It took time to learn the ins and outs of doing something new for the first time. It will be like that for homeschooling too – probably for a year or so.
Other homeschooling friends can be a good resource, but remember that their families are not your family. Their 8-year-old little girl who loves to lock herself away in her room with piles of books to read is not your 6-year-old boy who only wants to be outside. It’s up to you as the home educator, to mold the curriculum around your child and not the child around the curriculum.
Be Flexible!
For example, my granddaughter does not want to just sit and do schoolwork all morning. I added her to the lunch-making schedule for the week and she got very excited about it. She does a good job on her math and reading in the morning and then for lunch she can make one of the things she can make by herself. Granted, right now that consists of scrambled eggs, grilled cheese, or Raman noodles, but she is getting very proficient in those things. Having the independence to cook for the rest of the family at lunch inspires her to do her schoolwork well. You will learn what works for your own child as time goes on. Be creative. Be inspired, and don’t be shackled to your expectations of what home education is.
Get Inspired!
Some good reading to get you started, without stressing you out!
Home Grown Kids – Dr. Raymond Moore
Holly Pierot
A Mother’s Rule of Life: How to Bring Order to Your Home and Peace to Your Soul
How Children Learn – John Holt
