12 Steps on How to Start Homeschooling Today
Table of Contents
If you’ve been thinking about how to start homeschooling, you’re not alone. A whole lot of us made that jump during the pandemic, and for more reasons than one.
For me, it started just like that.
Schools were reopening, and I couldn’t stomach the idea of my daughter sitting six feet apart from her classmates, wearing a mask all day, and pretending that was “normal.” I also went down a serious rabbit hole learning about the founding fathers of the U.S. education system—and let’s just say, I was not on board with their philosophy.
I didn’t want her in a classroom eight hours a day, barely socializing, being told what to think instead of how to think. Add in bullying, rushed lunches, and the heartbreaking rise of school shootings…and I was done. Ain’t no way I was sending my child somewhere she’s supposed to be safe when that’s exactly where so many tragedies happen.
So I made the choice: we were going to start homeschooling. And when I had two more kids after that, I knew for a fact they were never setting foot in a public school.
If you’ve been feeling that same tug: wanting your kids safe, seen, and actually excited to learn – this post is for you. Let’s talk about how to start homeschooling the right way: with confidence, grace, and a whole lot of real talk.
Step 1: Know Why You’re Doing This
Before you start printing worksheets or shopping for supplies, get crystal clear on your “why.”
Because here’s the thing: homeschooling takes effort, but when you know why you’re doing it, you’ll have the drive to keep going on those rough days.
For me, the “why” was layered:
- I wanted my daughter safe—emotionally and physically.
- I wanted her to learn through curiosity, not compliance.
- I wanted her to love learning, not dread it.
And that’s what drives every decision I make as a homeschooling mom.
When you figure out your reason—safety, flexibility, faith, family time, whatever it is—it’ll guide everything else.
Step 2: Learn Your State’s Homeschool Laws
When you’re figuring out how to start homeschooling, the not-so-fun part is learning your state’s laws. Every state has its own rules, and trust me, they can be wildly different.
We started homeschooling back in New York, where the laws were no joke. I had to send in a Letter of Intent, an Individualized Home Instruction Plan (IHIP), quarterly reports, and even an annual assessment to prove progress. It was a lot.
But when we moved to Michigan, I almost couldn’t believe it – none of that is required here. No letters, no reports, no testing. Just the freedom to teach my kids how and when I want to.
That’s why it’s so important to check the laws in your state before getting started. You don’t want to miss a step or stress over something that’s not even required.
The easiest way to find out exactly what your state expects is by visiting HSLDA.org. They have an updated list of homeschool laws for every state, so you can start homeschooling legally and confidently.
Step 3: Find Your Homeschool Style
When you start researching how to start homeschooling, you’ll see terms like “Charlotte Mason,” “unschooling,” “unit studies,” “classical,” and “eclectic.”
Don’t panic. You don’t have to choose one right away. Think of these as different teaching flavors. You can try them out until you find your family’s favorite recipe.
Here’s the quick breakdown:
- Traditional: Structured lessons, textbooks, and schedules just like public school at home.
- Unit Studies: You pick a theme (say, the water cycle or community helpers) and build all subjects around it.
- Charlotte Mason: Focuses on living books, nature, and character development.
- Unschooling: Totally child-led learning based on curiosity and real-life experiences.
- Eclectic: A mix of everything that works best for your family.
We lean toward unit studies and eclectic learning. My oldest learns best when we dive deep into one topic at a time. One week it’s weather, another it’s money. We read, experiment, write, and even draw around that theme. It keeps things fun, flexible, and zero pressure.
Step 4: Don’t Rush the Curriculum
Here’s the truth that no one told me when I was figuring out how to start homeschooling: you don’t need a fancy boxed curriculum to begin.
You just need curiosity and a solid Wi-Fi connection.
Start with free printables, books from the library, and open-ended resources online. You’ll quickly learn your child’s learning style (visual, hands-on, or auditory) and what kind of materials work best for them.
I still use three of my favorite websites all the time:
These are goldmines for worksheets, lesson ideas, and unit studies that don’t cost a dime.
Once you figure out what works, you can buy resources that actually fit your family’s style instead of wasting money on a big curriculum that collects dust.
Step 5: Build a Routine That Actually Fits Your Life
Here’s where we keep it real: your homeschool day does not have to start at 8 AM.
Our lessons start around 1 PM after lunch, after chores, and after the morning chaos. We usually finish around 4 PM. That’s our sweet spot.
It works because everyone’s awake, calm, and ready to learn. No one’s cranky or rushing through lessons just to get them done.
If mornings are your best time, do mornings. If afternoons work, do afternoons. There are no rules here.
The beauty of homeschooling is flexibility—you get to design a rhythm that supports your family, not drains it.
Step 6: Set Up a Functional Learning Space
You don’t need a Pinterest-perfect homeschool room to start. Ours is right by the front door. I’ve got a computer desk, a whiteboard, and just the basics we use every day. That’s it.
Keep your space organized enough to function but not so overdone that it stresses you out.
Here’s what helps us stay on track:
- A small bin or shelf for workbooks and printables
- A whiteboard for writing, doodling, and explaining concepts
- A desk for computer lessons and quiet work
- A simple system for storing completed work
Homeschooling doesn’t require a classroom. Just a space that says, “This is where we learn together.”
Step 7: Find a Homeschool Community (Even if It’s Virtual)
Now here’s the honest truth: we haven’t joined a homeschool co-op yet here in Michigan.
We moved, and we only have one car right now. My husband uses it for work, so getting out to group activities hasn’t been possible yet, but he’s working on that.
So, for now, our community looks a little different. We connect online, share resources, and watch homeschool YouTube channels together for inspiration.
If you do have the flexibility, definitely check out local co-ops, library meetups, and Facebook groups. The support, the field trips, the friendships are all worth it.
But if you can’t right now, that’s okay. You’re still doing amazing.
Step 8: Don’t Do Everything at Once
When you first start homeschooling, it’s easy to fall into the trap of trying to do all the things.
Morning baskets, art lessons, STEM kits, foreign languages, and ten subjects a day? Yeah… no.
Start small.
Focus on the core subjects like reading, writing, and math. Add science or history once you’ve got your groove.
Don’t make it complicated. It just has to be consistent.
Step 9: Keep Track of What You’re Doing (Lightly)
You don’t need to turn your homeschool into a record-keeping nightmare. But jotting down what you do each week can be surprisingly encouraging.
I use a simple Homeschool Planner to record:
- What subjects we covered
- Books we read
- Projects or experiments we did
- New skills learned
At the end of each month, I can look back and think, “Wow, we really are learning so much.”
Step 10: Give Yourself (and Your Kids) Grace
You’re not going to nail this on day one. Nobody does.
There will be messy days. There will be days when you second-guess everything. But there will also be days when your child connects the dots, asks big questions, or proudly reads something out loud—and it hits you: this is worth it.
It’s all about progress. It’s about creating a safe, loving space where your kids can grow at their own pace.
Step 11: Build Your Homeschool Toolkit
If you’re wondering where to get good resources without draining your wallet, here’s what I recommend:
- Free websites: 123Homeschool4Me, The Homeschool Daily, Twinkl.com (still my top 3)
- Libraries: Free books, audiobooks, and even science kits
- YouTube: Perfect for visual learners and hands-on experiments
- Affordable Printables: You can grab tons of free ones on my site—from alphabet tracing to unit studies to creative writing prompts
Start small. Build slowly. You don’t need to have everything ready on day one.
Step 12: You Don’t Need to Be a Teacher—You Just Need to Be Present
This might sound cliché, but you don’t have to be a certified teacher to start homeschooling your kids. You just have to care—and you already do.
You know your kids better than anyone. You know when they’re tired, overwhelmed, or curious. That’s your biggest superpower as a homeschooling parent.
You can always fill in gaps with videos, books, and community resources. But your kids can’t replace the safety and connection they feel learning beside you.
Final Thoughts: You Can Start Homeschooling Today
If you’re wondering how to start homeschooling, the answer is simple: just start.
Print one worksheet. Read one book. Watch one educational video together. It doesn’t have to be perfect or planned out.
Your kids won’t remember if you followed the “perfect” curriculum. They’ll remember that you chose them. That you made their education personal, meaningful, fun and safe.
And if you ever need help along the way—I’ve got you. I’m building a whole library of free homeschool printables and easy unit studies made just for moms like us.
Listen, if I can do this as a SAHM who also homeschools three kids, so can you.
