I have been homeschooling since 2012. Fourteen years. Two very different kids. Plenty of good days, plenty of hard ones. A while back, some homeschool mom friends and I sat down to do something a little scary: each of us wrote a letter to the mom we were in our very first year of homeschooling.
I sat down, got to thinking about what I would say to myself back then — and it all just poured out. I'm sharing my letter here because I know there are so many parents starting out right now who feel exactly like I did. If that's you, this letter is for you too.
Dear Becky,
I know this is your first year of homeschooling. Bailey is entering kindergarten, and you feel stressed. Worried. Overwhelmed. Scared you can't do it — scared you will fail.
But breathe. You are his mother, and you know what is best for him.
You made the right choice with the curriculum. It will be rocky at first, but do not give up. Use that support system you found in the homeschool group — that group is not just for Bailey, it is for moms too. Ask questions. There are no dumb questions. Learn what has worked for them, and what has not worked for them.
But know that your homeschool may not look like theirs. Never compare yourself, or your child, or your homeschool to theirs. What works for them may not work for you. Find what works for you and go with that. Every child is different. Every child learns differently.
Make sure to have fun. I know you think it has to look like school did when you went — but it doesn't. As long as Bailey is learning the core subjects, he will be just fine.
Make sure to take breaks when you need them. If you both get frustrated, he will not learn anything. Never forget: you know what is best for your child. You've got this, and you will do great.
Always remember to be flexible, consistent, and encouraging. Breathe. Relax. And always put your family first.
Oh — and a few practical notes from the future: stay with the curriculum you picked, because it's awesome. Add that grammar program you'll hear about. And that spelling program everyone raves about? It doesn't work well for us — skip it, and don't feel one bit guilty.
I know you like schedules, but they do not work well for you. You will find a routine that works best, so do not stress about starting and stopping at a specific time. Remember: you are a mom, and you've got this.
Days will not always run smoothly, and that's okay. There will always be good days and bad days. Just go with the flow — and it all works out.
Love,
Becky — fourteen years down the road
If you're a first-year homeschool parent
I hope this letter helps you the way writing it helped me. Know that there are going to be bumpy days, great days, and amazing days — and once you find what works for your family, you will go with the flow and you will get it done. So don't give up. I know you're overwhelmed. I know you're stressed. But it does get better. Just keep going. Find what works, find your rhythm, and you will succeed.
The reason I started my YouTube channel and this blog is because I wanted every homeschool mom to know that they have support and encouragement. I don't want you to feel overwhelmed or stressed — but as a mom, I know that's like telling you not to breathe. You're going to be stressed. You're going to be overwhelmed. But it gets better, and you can do this. Don't let anyone ever tell you that you can't. It is legal to homeschool in all 50 states — just make sure you follow your state's laws.
If you're just getting started, these will help: the complete guide to starting homeschooling, my stress-free tips for new homeschool moms, and the homeschool style quiz to find how your family learns best. And if you have a homeschool question, ask it on the contact page — if I don't know the answer, I will find a homeschool mom who does. You are never homeschooling alone.
What would you tell your first-year self? As always — remember to be kind, be careful, be considerate, and have a great day.