Homeschooling: Where to Start and How to Transition 

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I totally get it – that “where do I even start?” feeling is so overwhelming!

When you’re first looking into homeschooling, it can feel like you’re standing at the bottom of a huge mountain, but I promise it’s much more manageable once you take those first few steps. And that’s the key – just begin with one step at a time and before you know it, you’ll have a plan of action and be on your way 🙂

The very first thing you’ll want to do – and this is the boring, but important part – is to get a handle on your local laws. Every country or state handles things a bit differently. 

You may need to send a letter of intent to your local board of education to let them know your child will be learning at home. In other countries, there is a more formal application process to follow.

It’s worth checking in with them to see exactly what age you need to start doing that (it’s usually around beginning of school age) and what kind of record-keeping they require.

Some places want a portfolio of work, while others ask for standardized testing. It sounds intimidating, but once you know the rules, that weight off your shoulders is huge!

Once the legal stuff is out of the way, take a deep breath and think about what you actually want your days to look like. It helps to write down your goals. Are you more focused on high academics, or is critical thinking and character development for their future the big thing for you? 

Also, think about your family’s vibe. Are you guys ‘schedule everything down to the minute’ people, or do you prefer to see where the day takes you? Knowing this now will save you a lot of money and stress when you start looking at all the different methods out there.

Speaking of stress…let’s talk about curriculum. This is where most of us lose our minds! My best advice? Don’t run out and buy a massive, expensive all-in-one box right away. Start small. If your kids are little, you can teach math with beans, rice and coins then practice letters in shaving cream or flour. 

Think about how your child learns – do they need to see it, hear it, or touch it? Whether they love classic stories or need a traditional structure, there’s something out there for them. And honestly? If you pick something and it’s a total flop, you can just change it. That’s the beauty of this!

While you’re figuring out the books, try to carve out a little school spot in your house. It doesn’t have to be a Pinterest-perfect classroom; the kitchen table or a cozy corner chair works just fine. Having a dedicated place and a rough start time just helps everyone get into the right mindset and focus a bit better.

One thing that will absolutely save your sanity is finding your people. Try to talk to a few different homeschooling families. Everyone does it differently, and seeing those various styles is so eye-opening.

Look for local co-ops, join some online groups, or subscribe to a few newsletters. Having a support group to go on field trips with (or just to vent to when you have a rough Tuesday) makes all the difference. It reminds you that you aren’t doing this alone.

Lastly, just remember that you’re going to be learning right alongside your kids. You don’t have to have all the answers on day one. As your kids grow, your style will probably change, and that’s okay. Just keep reading, keep staying curious, and enjoy the ride.

You’ve totally got this, and you’re going to be so glad you made this choice for your family!

Are You Transitioning from Public School to Homeschooling?

If your child is struggling in public school, for whatever reason, and is getting more discouraged as the year progresses, choosing to homeschool might be a valid option to consider. 

However, be prepared for a transition period after taking your child out of public school before jumping into homeschooling.

If your child is currently in public school, before you withdraw them, you need to determine your country or state’s homeschooling laws – just the same as if you were starting from scratch.  Make sure you meet all of the requirements before taking further action.  

After you’ve met each of the laws of your country/state, contact your child’s school and formally withdraw your child.  Failing to formally withdraw your child may lead to truancy issues in the future. Also, be prepared for them to ask questions. 

The manner in which you withdraw your child will probably vary depending on where you live, possibly writing a letter to the principal or superintendent of your child’s school system. Explain to them that you have chosen to homeschool and are formally withdrawing your child.

Provide proof that you are following the laws and are legally allowed to withdraw your child from school.  If you can quote part of the law in your letter, it will show that you understand the law and your rights as a homeschooling family.

When you have your child at home, be prepared to take some time off actual school work. This will give your child a chance to learn a new lifestyle. After all, your child has been used to the school’s way of doing things. They’ll need to adjust from the rules and regulations they’ve come to know.

I’m still talking learning opportunities, just in a different way to what they’re used to! Think field trips, reading about their favourite topics, helping with cooking and home duties, earning some pocket money and budgeting for something they want to buy, etc.

Take some time to get to know one another again too. You may think you know your child, but it’s quite possible that you don’t know them as well as you thought. There may be parts of your child’s personality that you never knew existed. They might learn some new things about you, as well.

Don’t be surprised if your child continues to do the things that they’ve become accustomed to doing. Some new homeschoolers will raise their hand if they have a question or when they need to use the restroom. It may take some time to do, but those habits will no longer be needed.

Keep some of the better habits they’ve gained. If your child has been used to having spelling tests on a particular day of the week, continue to keep that schedule. If you allow them to stop doing everything they did in public school, you may have a situation that is worse than they left.

Keeping some consistency will help regulate their day and know what is expected of them in their new learning environment.

Take the time to enjoy the process with your child. Choosing to homeschool, while primarily for the student, should also be enjoyable for you as well. Cut loose and have fun – sometimes easier said than done, I know!

Don’t take yourselves too seriously, and remember that you are a parent first. Most of all, remember why you chose to homeschool…to enjoy the flexibility and freedom homeschooling offers.

So, are you completely opposed to trading that overwhelmed feeling for a bit of clarity right now? You could keep researching until your head spins, or you could grab my Etsy Homeschooling Starter checklist and finally begin the fun part. You’ll feel a huge weight off your shoulders once you actually start!