8 Beginner Homeschooling Tips to Help You Homeschool with Confidence

_{Are you struggling with homeschool? These 8 homeschooling tips will give you the confidence to start and succeed in your homeschool journey.}

I almost gave up homeschooling halfway through my first year. I was miserable, my kids were miserable. Even my husband was miserable, and he worked most of the time!

As we headed into our Christmas break, I knew something had to change. I was seriously considering putting my kids in school.

I struggled daily. Were they learning? Was it supposed to be this hard? When is the fun supposed to start?

Thankfully, I had a very wise friend and a veteran homeschooling mama who gave me some advice. It turned my homeschool around and helped put me on the right track.

What Should I Know Before Homeschooling?

If you’re like me and have no experience with homeschooling, you probably have a lot of questions.

• How long should I homeschool in a day?
• What is the best curriculum?
• What is the easiest way to homeschool?
• Is it difficult to homeschool?
• Will I become one of those crazy homeschool moms who’s always talking about homeschooling?

The answer to all of these questions varies depending on your specific family and your homeschooling goals. (Except that last one. The answer to that is “Absolutely.”)

Your homeschool days will be shorter or longer depending on the ages or curriculum you choose. And there is no “best” one. Each homeschooling family gets to choose what’s best for their situation.

Homeschool doesn’t have to be difficult–but sometimes it is. It’s not all magic and rainbows–but there are days that are more fun than others.

Most of it depends on you. Your attitude, approach, and what “successful homeschool” means to you.

5 Homeschool Tips for a Successful Homeschool

Don’t get overwhelmed at the thought of beginning homeschool. It’s a lot to take in, but it’s totally doable!

Use these homeschooling tips and tricks to start homeschooling with confidence instead of stress.

Tip #1: Cover Your Homeschool With Prayer.

When I first talked to my friend in my first year of homeschool this was the advice she gave me. Although I pray every day for my children, praying for our actual homeschool had never entered my mind.

She told me to sit down and think about my homeschool struggles and write them down if I needed to. Then, I should take each one individually to the Lord and seek His guidance.

Prayer is powerful, and it should be the foundation of your homeschooling journey.

Before you make any decisions about homeschooling, pray about it. Ask God to guide your steps and give you wisdom as you plan your homeschool year.

Ask Him to help you choose the best curriculum, make the right decisions, and be successful in homeschooling.

Pray for patience on days when things are tough and for excitement on days when lessons are fun. (You will have both kinds of days!)

Prayer will give you the strength to homeschool on days when you feel like giving up. Ask God to bless your homeschool and He will!

Tip #2: Give Yourself Plenty of Grace.

This may seem like an overused cliche, but it’s especially true in homeschooling.

You’re going to make mistakes. We all do. It’s okay! Don’t expect perfection from yourself or your kids.

I always heard homeschooling moms talk about not liking their curriculum and trying to find a new one. I couldn’t understand because I thought I already knew the best curriculum.

You can imagine my surprise when I realized that particular curriculum didn’t work for our family at all. While I finished it out that year, I knew something had to change for the next year.

That’s part of the homeschooling journey. You’ll make mistakes, but you’ll learn from them too.

Give yourself grace when things don’t go as planned and remember that it’s all part of the learning process–for both you and your kids!

Related: 18 Encouraging Bible Verses for Moms (+free printable Scripture cards)

Tip #3: Set Realistic Expectations.

This goes along with giving yourself grace. You’re not going to get everything done that you want to in a day, a week, or even a year. It’s okay to just accept it, and move on.

Don’t get discouraged when things don’t go as planned. You’re not homeschooling to check things off of a list. You’re homeschooling to provide an education for your children.

That looks different for every family. Some days you’ll be able to accomplish a lot and other days you may not get much done at all. And that’s the goal of homeschooling: to provide an education for your children that is flexible and adaptable to the changing needs of your family.

Tip #4: Ask for Advice.

One of the best things about homeschooling is the community. There are so many people who have been homeschooling for years and are more than happy to give you advice.

There are also a lot of resources available online and in local homeschool groups. Use them!

If you’re feeling lost or confused, reach out to a homeschool mom you know–or find a support group on Facebook.

Trust me, homeschool moms love to talk about homeschooling tips! A mama who’s been there is more than happy to help you figure out how to homeschool.

Tips #5: Don’t Take Everyone’s Advice.

Does that sound the opposite of what I just said? It’s not.

It’s a good idea to listen to what successful homeschoolers do. It’s even good to read homeschooling guides for parents.

But what works for one person or family, won’t necessarily work for you. Sometimes a mom will share homeschool tips with you that keep her homeschool running smoothly.

You may even try it. Or, you may realize right away that it just isn’t for you.

Then, another mom may share her tips for a successful homeschool and a lightbulb will go off for you. You’ll realize that’s just the homeschooling how-to that you need.

Be selective, and give yourself time (and grace!) to figure out what works for you.

Tip #6: Get Organized.

One of the best things you can do for your homeschool is to get organized. This will look different for every family, but there are some basics that are essential for a smooth-running homeschool.

You’ll need a place to keep all of your homeschool materials–books, curriculum, worksheets, etc. A lot of families use a filing cabinet or shelves in a closet.

You’ll also need a place to keep track of your homeschool schedule, assignments, and deadlines. A simple whiteboard or planner can work wonders in keeping you on track.

Finally, you’ll need a way to keep track of your kids’ progress. This can be as simple as a notebook where you jot down notes about what your kids are learning, or you can use a more formal tracking system.

Make sure you know your state’s guidelines for keeping records and attendance. Then, find a way to make a system to keep your records organized.

Whatever you do, make sure it works for you and your family. The goal is to make homeschooling as stress-free as possible, and being organized will help you do just that

Tip #7: Have a Routine.

Routines are important for both kids and adults. They help us know what to expect and give us a sense of stability.

Homeschooling is no different. Having a homeschool routine will help your kids (and you!) know what to expect each day.

Your homeschool routine doesn’t have to be rigid or inflexible. In fact, it should be the opposite! Your homeschool routine should be flexible enough to adapt to the changing needs of your family.

But it should also provide a sense of structure and stability for your kids.

A typical homeschool day might look something like this:

• Wake up and eat breakfast
• Do morning chores
• Do school work for a few hours
• Eat lunch
• Go outside or do a fun activity
• Do more school work for a few hours
• Make dinner
• Spend time as a family

Of course, your homeschool routine will look different depending on the ages and needs of your kids.

But the important thing is to find a routine that works for you and your family.

Tip #8: Find a Balance.

One of the benefits of homeschooling is being able to work ahead, take days off, and do fun things together as a family.

But you have to find the balance between having a routine and having fun. Don’t be the mom who’s at the park trying to get your kids to fill in a worksheet so you can count this as an in-session day!

On the flip side, don’t let your schedule get so slack your kids are still doing schoolwork in July. That’s not fun for you or them.

Homeschooling should be a balance of work and play. Find what works for your family and stick to it!

How Can You Be Successful at Homeschooling?

Homeschooling can be a great option for families. But it’s not without its challenges.

If you’re struggling with homeschooling or feeling overwhelmed, or like you’re not sure how to homeschool your child, these tips will help you get started on the right foot!

Start by getting organized, finding a routine that works for your family, and striking a balance between work and play.

And don’t forget to give yourself grace! Homeschooling is a learning process for everyone involved.

The most important thing is to find what works for you and your family. With a little trial and error, you’ll be homeschooling like a pro in no time!

I hope these beginner homeschooling tips help you feel more confident in your homeschooling journey!

Remember, you’re not alone. There are so many resources and people available to help you succeed. Take advantage of them, and enjoy the ride! Homeschooling is a great adventure!

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