Congratulations!
As overwhelming as you may feel in this moment, I promise you this is one of the best decisions you could make for your family.
I remember when I first started homeschooling and how completely lost I felt. I didn’t know where to begin. I was scared, unsure, and felt in over my head. If that’s where you are today, I want you to know—you are not alone.
In this post, I’m sharing three simple but important things I did when I first began homeschooling, in hopes that it encourages you and gives you a peaceful place to start.
1. I Learned My State’s Homeschool Laws
One of the very first—and most important—things I did was research my state’s homeschool laws.
Every state has different legal requirements for homeschooling. If those requirements aren’t followed, children can be reported as truant, which could even lead to court involvement. I don’t share this to scare you, but to lovingly remind you how important it is to understand the laws so you can confidently protect your family and your homeschool freedom.
The most helpful resource I’ve found is the Homeschool Legal Defense Association (HSLDA). Their website truly is a one-stop place for homeschool information, legal guidance, and helpful tools to get you started.
Once I understood what was required in my state, I felt an incredible sense of peace. Knowledge replaced fear—and that alone was worth the time spent researching.
“From the day you became a parent, you also became a teacher, and you are equipped to teach your child.”
— Anne Campbell
2. I Figured Out What to Teach (and Found a Guide I Loved)
After learning the legal side of homeschooling, my next big question was:
What in the world do I actually teach my kids?
I’ll be honest—I had no idea where to start. But after a lot of searching, I found an absolute gem of a book:
Home Learning Year by Year by Rebecca Rupp.
I loved this book because it gently walks you through:
- Subjects typically covered at each grade level
- Knowledge and skills children should gain year by year
- Thoughtful book and curriculum recommendations
- A clear, organized layout that’s easy to reference
Each year, I would tab my children’s grade levels and return to those pages throughout the school year. It became a trusted guide in our homeschool rhythm.
And one important reminder:
This book is meant to guide you—not control you. Homeschooling is beautifully flexible, and you have the freedom to shape learning around your unique children.
3. I Read Every Homeschool Blog I Could Find
The third thing I did was immerse myself in the homeschool community—mostly by reading blogs written by other moms.
(And maybe that’s exactly how you found your way here, too. 🤍)
I loved seeing homeschool rooms, book lists, schedules, and curriculum ideas. I soaked it all in like a sponge for hours at a time.
But I want to gently warn you about something I learned along the way:
Be careful of the comparison trap.
No two homeschool families are the same—and they were never meant to be.
Your gifts, your children, your home, and your calling are uniquely yours.
And because you know your children better than anyone, there is truly no one better equipped to teach them than you.
“The most important work you and I will ever do will be within the walls of our own homes.”
— Harold B. Lee
A Final Word of Encouragement
Those three simple steps—
learning the laws, finding a guide, and connecting with other homeschool moms—
gave me the confidence to begin homeschooling 15 years ago.
From there came curriculum choices, schedules, classroom spaces, yearly planning, and so much more… all things I look forward to sharing with you in future posts.
My prayer is that you’ll stay here with me as I share:
- what helped
- what didn’t
- and the beautiful lessons God taught me along the way
I’m so thankful you’re here. ❤️
If you’re new here, you can read more of my full homeschool journey here.
Affiliate Disclaimer
Some links in this post may be affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you choose to purchase through them—at no extra cost to you. I only share resources I truly love and have personally used. Thank you for supporting my homeschool journey in this small but meaningful way.
