Thinking About Homeschooling? 3 Steps To Get Started

Have you been thinking about homeschooling but don’t know where to start? Here are 3 simple steps to help you. I’ve been homeschooling for over 20 years and I’ve seen all kinds of children and parents over the years.

Some families are very organized. Some families are very disorganized. Some use a curriculum and some don’t. Some are structured and some aren’t.

Since you’re thinking about homeschooling, there must be something that is drawing you to it. Are you disatisified with your child’s current school situation? Are you thinking that there might be a better way to educate your children than what is currently available to you? Hopefully these steps will help you weigh your options and make the best decision for your children.

Steps to take when thinking about homeschooling

1. Find your calling – Since you are reading this article there must be something that is drawing you to homeschooling. Are you feeling called to homeschool? Is there a pull in your soul that is saying that this is what you were made to do – even if it’s just for a year? It’s important to assess where your child is in their learning and whether you need to have a bigger role in that this year. If you are a praying person, I encourage you to pray daily (even hourly) about whether homeschooling is where you are being called. God didn’t bring you this far in life to leave you hanging now. He is willing to guide you along this path if you are willing to follow.
2. Study your children – When thinking about whether you want to start homeschooling you need to take your children into consideration. Do they want to be homeschooled? Will they have a choice in the matter or will you need to make an executive decision for your child in this instance for their own good? Watch your children and study what they are interested in and where their heart is. This will help you decide what type of materials you will use for them if you decide to homeschool them. If they are young, lots of hands on materials, games, picture books and snuggle time will be on the agenda. If your children are older, do they love to read? Hate to read? Do they love to get their hands on an engine or care for animals? Your observations of them will help you decide what course of action to take for them.
3. Know your resources – Homeschooling has come a long way over the years and there are oceans of resources available to parents now. The resources CAN be overwhelming but they don’t have to be. If you have done step 2 well, you will know your children and have a better understanding of what you are looking for to help them grown and develop in their learning. Don’t be afraid to find a seasoned homeschooler who can come alongside you and help you. If you don’t have anyone local, you can always look online or use my coaching program.

I have over 300 pages of information on my homeschool website that I have written myself. Please take advantage of these resources and let me know if you need any help along the way. Here are a few pages on how to start homeschool and my favorite resources.