How to Start Homeschooling When you are Overwhelmed
If you are a parent, you are probably grappling with the decision about what to do with your kids this year. You may be sending them back to public school. Great. You may be one of the thousands of parents who find themselves considering homeschooling as an option for the first time ever. If you’ve made the decision to homeschool, take a deep breath. You’ve got this. It’s totally possible to start homeschooling even when you are overwhelmed.
I never planned on homeschooling but after a series of life events left us moving to another state, knowing we’d have a second move in the near future, homeschooling felt like the best option.
I ended up loving it (much to my surprise) and we homeschooled for 8 years before sending my kids back to public school.
It can be overwhelming to start homeschooling, especially if it was not in your plans. There are some great resources out there to help you homeschool (check out our favorite free homeschooling resources here).
How to Start Homeschooling
First, look over your options. You DO have options, I promise you.
Homeschool on your own. To homeschool on your own, simply research the homeschool laws in your state and follow the steps you need to take. Once you register your kids as homeschooled you can choose your own curriculum options. In my state, I simply need to fill out a homeschool affidavit at the school district office but every state is a bit different. If you have any questions about your rights, check out the Homeschool Legal Defense Association (HSLDA).
Homeschool through a virtual charter school. There are some amazing virtual charter schools out there that provide full homeschool curriculum. We’ve used K12.com several times in the past and had really good experiences with them.
A few full-service options are:
Homeschooling through a homeschool partner program. There are a variety of programs (you’ll have to find one specific to your state) that offer funds to pay for homeschool curriculum of your choice. This is what we have chosen to do and it has been fabulous in the past.
You are typically given a set budget per subject or per student. Curriculum and supplies must be secular and on the list of approved items. Your child will still be registered as a public school student and the partner program will maintain their records. I’m only familiar with the options in Utah and CA. In Utah you can look into MyTechHigh and Harmony Ed.
Where to Find Homeschooling Support
Homeschooling for the first time can be overwhelming but, I promise, it is way easier than you think it is. There are resources out there that do a lot of the work for you. I never plan my own curriculum because there are so many awesome options out there.
Look for Local Homeschooling Facebook Groups. Most areas have fairly active homeschool groups where you can find other families with kids the same age as yours, find local clubs and activities, and more. We typically find more activities than we are able to fit into our schedules.
Create a co-op – If your kids learn best in a small group setting (and you want to schedule some break-time for yourself) a co-op may be a great way to go. Team up with some like-minded homeschoolers and rotate houses on a weekly or monthly basis. Each mom can teach a set subject or just take over lesson plans for the day. It’s a great way to make some friends and fine a supportive group to bounce ideas off of.
Create a Basic Schedule
The nice thing about homeschooling is you do not have to always stick to a strict schedule, but it does help to have a schedule as a jumping off point.
Download our weekly homeschool printable schedule to plan your week and post it somewhere visible. Be willing to stay flexible in case a fun activity or project takes priority, but I find that having a basic schedule helps to keep us on task.
Homeschooling does not have to be completely overwhelming. There are LOTS of resources and programs out there to help you if you decide that homeschooling is right for your family.
Good luck!
