Homeschooling has gained popularity in the past few years, especially as families seek flexible education at home. It is amazing—honestly—when I was homeschooled, it was not a mainstream education choice. I would anxiously whisper that I was homeschooled, uncertain of the questioner’s response. Today, it’s not uncommon to see homeschooled kids in public during school hours. I’m so grateful for the change in mindset and the growing acceptance of home education.
Parents choose homeschooling for many reasons—whether it’s a desire for freedom over curriculum and educational choices, a traveling family lifestyle, or children who need more individualized attention and support. (Here are our reasons for homeschooling) There are both short-term homeschoolers and families committed to the long haul of homeschooling. No matter your reason or length of homeschooling you are thinking about or chosen, I’ve gathered my top homeschooling tips for beginners.
Some words that I have found that have helped on my homeschool journey are:
Community, Simplicity, Flexibility, and Confidence. These words are building blocks of beginning a strong and sustainable homeschooling lifestyle.
Disclosure: I participate in Joycat’s affiliate program and may earn a commission if you purchase through my links. As an Amazon Associate, I also earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. All opinions are my own, and I only recommend products I truly love. Thank you for supporting Gratefully Wild Home
1. Find Your Support System — You Can’t Homeschool Alone
If I had to give just one piece of advice to a new homeschool parent, it would be this: find your people. We’re part of a beautiful homeschooling group here in our county, and I am so grateful for the friendship my children, and my husband and I have formed. I truly can’t imagine homeschooling without the support, wisdom, and encouragement of other families walking the same path.
There’s a common misconception that homeschooled kids aren’t “socialized” — but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Homeschool communities are everywhere, and they provide networks. From co-ops and nature groups to field trips, park days, and church events, homeschoolers have a different kind of social life. Actually, homeschool kids have even more freedom as they are not bound by traditional school hours. Flexible school scheduling provides more opportunities for unstructured play and natural socialization.
But it’s not just about the kids. We parents need community too — a place to ask questions, share struggles, swap curriculum ideas, or just be reminded that there are many that are walking the same path with the same struggles and successes.
To find your network:
- Start by asking around — word of mouth is powerful.
- Check with local churches or community centers.
- Search Facebook or homeschool directories by county or interest.
Homeschooling is hard — but it’s a lot lighter when you build a strong community around you.
Join HSLDA for Homeschool Legal Support:
I’m putting this under the community category because while HSLDA (Home School Legal Defense Association) isn’t a personal support system, it is your homeschool legal support system. This is a trusted organization that provides legal protection for homeschooling families across the U.S. It’s also a great place to find state homeschool laws, learn about legal homeschooling requirements, and access valuable homeschool resources. I am a yearly member of HSLDA as it provides me peace with my homeschooling decision while keeping me informed and confident when it comes to homeschool laws.
2. Keep It Simple: Homeschooling Doesn’t Have to Be Complicated
Start with One Complete Homeschool Curriculum
We live in a time where homeschool curriculum options are endless — and honestly, that can feel completely overwhelming. Typing in “math curriculum” or “language arts for Kindergarten” can leave you lost in a sea of links. Instead, search by full curriculum packages, not by subject.
No matter your family’s style or beliefs, there’s a curriculum out there that can cover all the core subjects without starting from scratch. A new homeschool family will appreciate having a structured, all-in-one curriculum with built-in lesson plans.
A few popular homeschool curriculums include:
- Mother of Divine Grace
- Abeka
- The Good and the Beautiful
- Kolbe Academy
- Memoria Press
These just scratch the surface. Talk to local homeschoolers or attend a homeschool convention where you can flip through curriculum options in person. After a year or two, you’ll have a better idea of what works and what doesn’t — and can adjust for your child’s learning style.
To start browsing, a great website with excellent homeschool curriculum resources is Christianbook.com.
Simple Homeschool Room Organization
No, you don’t need a Pinterest-perfect homeschool room. It is so tempting to feel inspired by those beautiful perfectly laid out school rooms with maps, a table, and whiteboard— but it’s not necessary; in fact, it can bring on more pressure. I definitely made the mistake of trying to put a curated school room in a bedroom in our basement. It was a mistake because it was so far from the center of the house.
Instead, pick a dedicated spot in your home — that is central – it could be the kitchen table, a corner of the living room, or even a loft space. We have a loft area upstairs that I finally realized perfect for our homeschool set up. It gives us a space, but I can still be present at prime location in my home.
Once a spot is chosen, use a basket or shelf system for homeschool book organization. If you have multiple kids, give each child their own basket or shelf. We also use binders with zip-up pencil pouches for each child to keep homeschool supplies like pencils, erasers, and weekly checklists in one spot.
Helpful tools we use include:
- A small whiteboard and dry erase markers (for math or spelling practice)
- Hands-on math manipulatives- linking blocks and clocks with hands are a must!
- Magnetic Letters set – We use this JoyCat Magnetic Letter set because it stores easily and comes with a magnetic whiteboard, which I love for hands-on spelling and word practice.
The key is to start small and build slowly. As you go, make a list of tools or materials you wish you had — and add them as needed. A simplified homeschool space encourages calm and consistency.
Co-ops & Hybrid Homeschool Programs
With the rise of homeschooling, there are now more homeschool co-ops and hybrid models than ever before. These communities offer shared classes, group learning, or enrichment opportunities — but before jumping in, be cautious. It’s tempting to sign up for everything when you’re new, but overscheduling can lead to quick burnout.
If you’re considering a co-op, make sure it aligns with your family’s goals and that actual schoolwork is completed during the time away from home. Otherwise, overwhelm can easily kick in with juggling outside commitments, school work, and home life.
Instead, try to begin with something simple:
- A weekly co-op that meets once a week
- A local park day for homeschoolers
- A DIY science or art class with a few other families
Ask around at church or in local Facebook homeschool groups — or start your own! The social component is important, but you want to establish your homeschool rhythm first before adding too many outside obligations.
When I first began our homeschool journey, we enrolled in Mother of Divine Grace School, a classical curriculum rooted in Catholicism. They provide detailed syllabi, a consultant to support you, and a beautiful integrated curriculum that truly teaches a child how to think. The classical homeschool method was a natural fit for us.
We’re still enrolled with Mother of Divine Grace today, but like many families, we’ve adapted as we’ve grown. I’ve learned to adjust and supplement based on each child’s needs and learning style. Over time, we also joined a supportive hybrid homeschool tutorial, which has been a wonderful addition to homeschool lifestyle.
It’s been a journey — and one I’ll share more about in a future post — but if you’re just beginning, know that it’s okay to start with a boxed curriculum and adapt from there. Flexibility is key and a gift to homeschooling.
3. Flexibility Over Rigidity: Scheduling Your Homeschool Day
Traditional school schedules follow rigid blocks of time with children separated by age and grade— but that structure is not one compatible with home life. Create a flexible homeschool schedule that fits your unique family lifestyle.
I go deeper into this topic in my post: Creating a Flexible Homeschool Schedule.
4. You can homeschool!
If homeschooling is the path you’re being called to, trust that you can homeschool successfully. It takes time to adjust and figure out what kind of homeschooling parent you’ll be — and that’s completely normal! There’s no one-size-fits-all method, and that’s the beauty of homeschooling. As the homeschooling parent(s) in charge of your children’s education, you can choose what style fits your family. If you have already chosen that homeschooling is a path for your family, arm yourself with prayer, and the grace will be given in the homeschool vocation.
Follow your mama instincts, stay connected to other homeschooling families, and remember — you’ve got this. Stay confident!
📷 Love behind-the-scenes family life?
Come hang out on Instagram: @gratefullywildhome
📌 Pin-worthy content your family will love?
Follow Gratefully Wild Home on Pinterest for motherhood encouragement, printables, and real ideas that work.
👍 Want more posts like this one?
Follow Gratefully Wild Home on Facebook for our latest updates.
You May Also Like:
Gratefully Wild Home 
Leave a comment