Now that you know why you’re going to homeschool, the next step is to figure out how. Before you do anything else, you need to learn the requirements for your state. The 10th amendment to the Constitution of the United States makes education a function of the state, and not the federal government. Which means every state will have it’s own specific requirements. (If you’re not in the US, the same advice applies; research your own local laws and regulations on homeschooling.) Homeschooling is legal in all 50 states, but some states have more requirements than others. HSLDA (Home School Legal Defense Association) is a great resource for finding out your state’s requirements; however, I also recommend finding the actual law and reading it word for word so you know exactly what it says, and not someone else’s interpretation.
At this point, things become significantly more specific to your state and personal circumstances. For advice on your particular situation, I highly recommend joining a Facebook group dedicated to homeschooling in your state. Here you will find parents that have already experienced all of the first steps you’re walking through now. They can help answer any uncertainties regarding the legal language and requirements, and give great advice on co-ops or other organizations that you may find helpful in your area.
When transitioning your child from public school to homeschooling, it’s crucial to formally notify their school through a certified letter. This step is vital to prevent truancy concerns. Ensure you don’t overlook this process and opt for certified mail to guarantee proof of receipt by the school.
Now on to the fun stuff. There are a million different curriculum options to choose from and, for the brand new homeschooling parent, the choices can quickly become very overwhelming. To help narrow your focus when choosing curriculum it helps to answer a couple of questions first. The first question I would ask is do you want to use a secular or religious curriculum? There are great options on both sides and many reasons to choose either. The next question is actually a combination of two questions: what is my teaching style and what is my child’s learning style? There are many different teaching/learning styles, but many curriculums are based on a few major types. Answering these questions and finding the right approach that suits both you and your child can significantly guide your selection of the most suitable curriculum.
There are countless blog articles available regarding homeschool styles so I won’t waste time here trying to explain them all. But before you venture out into the google machine to find some answers, let me give a small piece of advice. Take what you learn regarding homeshool styles with a grain of salt. They’re interesting, and can be helpful, but don’t feel like you have to shove yourself or your child into a box to fit whatever the “Traditional” homeschooler looks like or to call yourself a “Charlotte Mason” homeschool family. Learning styles change, lifestyles (especially for the single parent family) change, so we don’t need to fit nicely into any one “style” box. I’m giving you permission to overflow into several learning style boxes or to not fit in any box at all. Chances are, discovering the best style for your family might require exploring various options before finding the perfect fit. So don’t worry too much on this. Just pick one that seems like a reasonable fit and doesn’t break the bank.
Which leads me to the next step; figure out your homeschool budget. I will admit, I am terrible at this step. I never stick to my budget and that’s if I’ve managed to create one at all. But trust me, better to “do as I say and not as I do” on this one. With an overwhelming array of curriculum choices, overspending becomes all too easy. As single parents, we mustn’t splurge on curriculum without a plan. If you’re undecided, consider starting with a free option like Easy Peasy All-in-One Homeschool (an excellent free Christian homeschool curriculum) while you take your time to discover the right ‘paid’ curriculum. Rushing into an ill-fitting curriculum can strain both your finances and your family’s learning environment.
Utilizing free or low-cost resources when first starting out is possibly the most important piece of advice you will receive. Your local library is an absolute must. If you don’t have a library card, I strongly suggest you go sign up for one immediately. Even if you don’t set foot inside of your library building again, the digital library resources that most libraries provide are invaluable. The cost of books for homeschoolers can add up very quickly, but with free borrows from the library you can save so much money, and many books are available in digital format so you never need to leave your house.
Another low-cost option is to not be afraid to buy used. Websites like Thriftbooks.com and Abebooks.com have helped me to fill my home library without spending my entire paycheck to do it. Garage sales, secondhand stores, Facebook Marketplace, and talking to friends and family that are looking to declutter their own books can all be great resources to fill your home library. Amazon even has an option to ‘buy used’ on most books. The few dollars saved for each book can really add up over time.
So many ‘Instagram’ homeschoolers tend to show-off a screen-free homeschool environment. While we of course want to make sure we have a healthy balance and are limiting and monitoring our children’s screen time, technology can be an invaluable resource to the single homeschooling parent (or any homeschooling parent, for that matter). We are blessed to live in a time when the entirety of human knowledge is right in our pocket and just a few clicks away. There are tons of really great education apps and websites that can keep our kids engaged and learning long past what they might’ve gotten from a pencil and workbook.
Now of course every parent is going to have different requirements and concerns regarding what their child is exposed to. Online safety should always be our number one priority when allowing our children on any device. There are several websites and Facebook groups dedicated to providing transparency and reassurance for parents regarding websites, apps, books, movies, tv shows, and everything in between. A great place to start would be checking out the website, Protect Young Eyes. Here you will find blog articles and reviews with information about social media, trends, apps and more. While safety is the priority, we shouldn’t be afraid of letting our kids use technology. In today’s digital era, integrating technology into our children’s education can enhance their future opportunities and skill development.
Finally, we need to talk about self-care. Until you’ve been home with your kids 24/7 with limited adult interaction, no help with the kids, and very little opportunity for quiet time, you may not realize just how much you need to decompress. But trust me, it will be better for all family members involved if you’re not feeling constantly stressed and overwhelmed. Whatever methods work best for you to destress; whether it’s prayer, meditation, exercise, grocery shopping without kids, or whatever, just make sure you make time for you. If you have to schedule a babysitter once a month to take a few hours for yourself, then do it. Or asking a family member to take the kids for an afternoon so you can blast your music while cleaning the house might be just the thing you need to reset and fill your patience meter back up to tackle the next month of battles over algebra.
As we conclude, it’s important to acknowledge that this post aims to provide broad and foundational guidance to those venturing into homeschooling. Yet, each family faces unique challenges that are specific to their own family. Teaching high schoolers is going to look a lot different than guiding kindergarteners, just as the schedule of a full-time, in-person working parent contrasts with that of a more flexible one. While I can’t cover every unique circumstance, my intention is to offer valuable insights to support and guide you on your homeschooling journey.
Disclaimer: The resources and websites mentioned in this post are recommended based on personal experience and research. I am not affiliated with any of these entities, and the recommendations are made purely for the benefit of the readers.
As always, remember to embrace the chaos and pardon the mess,
Holly