4 Simple Steps to Get Started Homeschooling

Are you new to homeschooling? It’s one of the most exciting journeys, but it comes with no road map. How do you start homeschooling? Let these 4 steps help!

So you’re going to homeschool. Yay! This is such an exciting journey. You are going to be amazed at what God will teach everyone in your family through this blessing of homeschooling. It’s wonderful, life-changing, and probably a little scary, right?

One of my favorite parts of working with new homeschooling families is helping them find peace and hope in the uncertain waters of homeschooling. It’s so easy to get caught up in all the questions, insecurities, and inconsistencies when it comes to getting started homeschooling. Everyone has a different way of doing things. Curriculum choices are as vast as the grains of sand on the shore. And expectations are high.

It’s no wonder new homeschoolers are confused. (In fact, many veteran homeschoolers are still trying to keep their heads above water in a sea of information overload.) Which leaves us with the first homeschool struggle that families face…

How do I get started homeschooling?

If you look around the internet, you’ll see lots of advice on how to get started homeschooling. You’re probably going to want to ignore most of it. Not because people are necessarily wrong, but because this process can be incredibly overwhelming, and often people give advice without thinking about that fact.

Homeschooling is SIMPLE. It’s not easy, but it’s a very simple process. As you get started, focus on simple. You can always expand from there.

1. Pray and trust God

I know this seems like an oversimplified step, but it’s the MOST important. You must stop and ask God to help you. Friends, family, and even veteran homeschoolers cannot help you make the big decisions you need to make. Only God knows your particular circumstances, needs, and direction. Trust Him to guide you as you begin this process.

2. Find out your state laws—yourself

Step two is to find out what the requirements are in your state. DO NOT, I repeat DO NOT listen to your friends. Go read the laws and rules for yourself. The HSLDA website has guidelines listed for each state. Take the time to read them.

I once had a friend who was convinced that our state required her to school her children for a certain number of hours per day. She was nearly killing herself trying to accomplish this with four children at home. Lesson learned. Find out exactly what the requirements are for yourself. Most states don’t require much, so you will find this process very freeing. Remember, we homeschool in order to meet the specific needs of our family. Whatever your friends are doing might not be a good fit!

3. Read valuable resources

The next step is to find some trusted resources to guide you through the process. Consider looking at what others do, remembering to keep an open mind about it. Our resource page, how to homeschool, shares curriculum ideas, organizational tips, and much more.

4. Attend a homeschool convention

The final step I strongly recommend is to attend a homeschool convention. You can read just about anything you want to know on the internet these days, but a convention will help you put all of the pieces together, while encouraging your heart through real people just like you.

I have shared how to pick the best convention for you in this post. I also have a free printable convention notebook to help you organize your time at the convention.

I’m praying for you as you embark on this awesome journey. It’s not going to be easy all the time, but you will never regret it!

Need Help with Homeschool Planning?

Planning your homeschool year can feel overwhelming. So if you need some inspiration and encouragement in your homeschool planning journey, you may want to check out my FREE Homeschool Planning Boot Camp!

In just 5 DAYS, you will be ready for your best homeschool year EVER!