You’ve decided to homeschool! Here are some encouraging and practical tips for transitioning from public school to homeschool.
There really isn’t a magic formula. I just really wanted to share how you have the freedom to tailor your homeschool days to your schedule. You are making memories together every day! Most importantly, the Lord will guide you every step of the way.
Making The Decision To Homeschool
It is a very big step to make the decision to homeschool in the first place. All the what ifs come up in your mind. There is schedule change. There is a different structure and focus to your days. And that, in fact, is one of huge joys of homeschooling. The many freedoms you have. And the TIME you get with your children.
You may be wondering, should I homeschool my child? Where do I even start? How do I make the decision to homeschool? Well, each and every family is unique. That is exactly why homeschooling may be the answer for you. Because you have a family like no one else, you have the freedom to design a learning experience specific to learning styles and on your own schedule. Should I homeschool my child? Help for Getting Started.
How to Get Started Homeschooling: 10 Steps to Success – Kim offers encouragement from prayer and establishing routines to joining a homeschool group and checking your state’s requirements.
The Transition To Homeschooling From Public School
The reality is that it IS different and it’s OK to take time to make the change gradually with lots of grace. Here is some encouragement for the transition to homeschooling from public school.
“So, when are you going to enroll her in mother’s morning out?” That’s the question I heard most often when our eldest was just a little more than a year old. It’s also the question the Lord used to work on my heart about homeschooling. It was then that I realized that my child was already learning at home and that homeschooling was definitely something we could do.
Cait Curley of My Little Poppies says, “I tell people that one of the best things about homeschooling is time. You get to spend this time with your children and teens. I worried so much that first year! Often I worried about time. Would there be enough time to cover everything? Would we be spending too much time together? How would I find time for myself? Would the days feel endless? Would he miss his time in public school?” Read more from Cait in Loss of the Big Yellow Bus.
Another veteran homeschooling mom, Shawna from Different by Design Learning shares, “Making a change like this is significant, for everyone. It takes time, patience and lots of grace for everyone in my experience. That being said, as much as I worried in the beginning, looking back, I can see it was the very best decision for my family.” Read more from Shawna in 4 Things I wish I Knew My First Year Homeschooling.
If you are worried about your qualifications, please know that God will fill in the gaps. He has designed each of your children with specific gifts and talents. Each unique. And He says, “I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for” in Jeremiah 29:11. When troubled, take a look at the awesome homeschoolers of history (e.g., Abraham Lincoln). The Pioneer Woman shared a wonderful list of Famous Homeschoolers.
Answers for the Homeschool Critics – here are some answers for those that wonder about socialization, your qualifications as a teacher and more.
Act Like Homeschoolers! Here is how to act like homeschoolers with an example of an upside down day with evening homeschool, a field trip, movies for history, plenty of outside time and more!
Top Tips To Help Your Child Transition To Learning At Home
Here is a list of practical ideas that will help your transition and your homeschool day.
Have a Back to Homeschool Planning Date – this is a GREAT way to have one on one time and focus on the upcoming year together.
Everything You Need to Know About Choosing Homeschool Curriculum – Keep it simple the first year. You and your children, and even your spouse, will be adjusting to the new normal.
The Ultimate Guide to Homeschooling: Everything You Need to Know for Grades K-12 – excellent encouragement for curriculum choices and more.
Everything You Need to Create the Perfect Homeschool Schedule for Your Family – You may be wondering how you will be able to teach your school age children the three “r’s,” fit in all the other subjects, and still have time for other things? Will you be able to get to the household chores and appointments AND pay attention to your younger children? Let me assure you that it is possible to homeschool and do all these other things. I’ve compiled a list of everything you need to create the perfect homeschool schedule for your family. But first… why a schedule?
How to Homeschool Preschoolers – this is a big list filled with great ideas for your littlest ones.
These homeschool activities will help make learning fun!
Homeschool Resources To Help Mom Transition Too!
Be encouraged fellow mama! Here are some resources to encourage your heart.
Good Books for Homeschool Moms to Shape Your Heart for Homeschooling – These good books for homeschool moms are the ones I read that helped shape and encourage my homeschooling heart. Don’t miss the suggestions from fellow homeschool families at the end of this post as well.
The Best Planners for Homeschool Moms – Find the best planners for homeschool moms plus some restful, simple steps you can take to plan your homeschool year.
The Homeschool Mom’s Easy Ideas for Keeping Home – because sometimes the dishes and everything else might be the biggest distractions.
10 Tips for Working Homeschool Moms: Balancing Work and Home – Homeschooling working moms have many rewards as well as challenges. Here are my top ten strategies for balancing work and home.
Brain Hacks for Homeschool Moms – These brain hacks for homeschool moms are just in time for back to school! From a mind-mapping tool to powerful questions, we can all learn from Maureen Spell!
Lean long into the many benefits of homeschooling!
You can’t change what you have or haven’t done over the past year. Just start where you are, ask the Lord to make you a “joyful mother of children,” pray for grace and wisdom (and strength and patience), and move forward. ~ Vicki Bentley, HSLDA and Everyday Homemaking
Leave a Reply