New to homeschooling?
Take a deep breath. You can do this.
If you're thinking about homeschooling — or you've already decided and have no idea what's next — this page is your friendly roadmap. We'll walk through it one simple step at a time, the same way I wish someone had walked me through it.
Your 7 first steps
1. First, know this: homeschooling is normal
Homeschooling is legal in all 50 states, and millions of families do it — from every background, faith, and walk of life. If part of you feels like you're doing something strange or rebellious, let that go. You are giving your child a personalized, loving education. That's a beautiful, ordinary thing.
You also do not need to be a certified teacher, have a perfect schoolroom, or know all the answers. You need to care about your child (you do) and be willing to learn alongside them (you can). That's genuinely most of it.
The biggest myth to drop right now
You don't have to recreate a classroom at home. Home is not school-shaped, and that's its greatest strength. A morning of reading on the couch, a science lesson in the backyard, and math at the kitchen table absolutely "counts."
2. Check your state's homeschool laws
Every state sets its own rules, and they range from very relaxed to fairly structured. Before anything else, find out what yours requires. Most states fall into a few simple categories:
- Notification: Some states ask you to file a simple letter of intent to homeschool.
- Record-keeping: A few ask you to keep attendance, a portfolio of work, or test results.
- Subjects: Some specify subjects to cover (reading, math, etc.).
The fastest way to get accurate, current information is to search "[your state] homeschool laws" and read your state department of education page, plus a trusted homeschool legal organization. Do this first so you can relax knowing you're on solid ground.
3. Give yourself permission to "deschool"
If your child is coming out of a traditional classroom, resist the urge to jump straight into six subjects on day one. Many veteran homeschoolers recommend a season of deschooling — a gentle decompression where you read together, bake, take walks, visit the library, and rediscover that learning is everywhere. A common rule of thumb is about one month of deschooling for every year your child was in traditional school.
This isn't falling behind. It's resetting your child's relationship with learning so curiosity can come back.
4. Find your "why"
On hard days — and there will be a few — your reason for homeschooling is what carries you. Write it down somewhere you'll see it. Maybe it's flexibility, faith, a child who needs a different pace, more time together as a family, or simply wanting a calmer, warmer childhood for your kids.
You will never regret the mornings you spent teaching your children to read, cook, pray, and wonder. Keep your "why" close.
5. Choose a gentle first curriculum
This is where most new moms feel paralyzed, because there are so many options. Here's the secret: your first curriculum doesn't have to be your forever curriculum. Pick something open-and-go that doesn't require hours of prep, and give yourself full permission to change it later.
A few approaches families love when starting out:
- All-in-one / "open and go" boxed curriculum — everything planned for you. Lowest stress for week one.
- Charlotte Mason style — living books, nature study, short lessons. Gentle and beautiful.
- Reading first — if you only nail one thing early, make it reading. A solid phonics-based reading program is worth its weight in gold.
For specific picks our family trusts (including the reading program we use), see my homeschool resources page.
6. Build a loose daily rhythm (not a rigid schedule)
Young children rarely need more than 1–3 hours of focused "school" a day. The rest is play, chores, reading aloud, and real life — all of which teach. Instead of a minute-by-minute schedule, build a rhythm: a predictable flow to the day your kids can count on.
A simple starter rhythm might look like: breakfast and a little tidy-up, a "morning time" together (a read-aloud, a song, a Bible verse or poem), then the basics — reading, writing, math — followed by lunch, quiet time, and an afternoon of play, projects, or an outing. Adjust freely. The goal is connection and consistency, not perfection.
7. Find your people
This might be the most important step of all. Homeschooling is so much warmer — and so much more sustainable — when you're not doing it alone. Look for a local co-op, a park-day group, an online community, or even one other homeschool mom to text on the wobbly days.
I wrote a whole post on exactly how to do this: How Homeschool Moms Find Support: Co-ops, Community & Encouragement.
Your next reads
When you're ready, these will help you keep going:
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