The Calling

At least a few times a month I get a message from at least a couple of people saying something like this “ I want to homeschool, but I don’t know where to start.”  “I want to homeschool but, I am so nervous” “I am not happy with our school experience but, I’m just not sure I can homeschool.” I am here to tell you, that you can do it!  Yes, it seems so overwhelming at first.  Our first year I spent hours and hours asking questions, researching curriculums, and hoping and praying I was doing enough.  We are in year four & while I would say I am far from a pro I have an unwavering love and belief in homeschooling.  Mama, you can do it & you are more than qualified.  

So, you’ve decided to look into homeschooling. Here are the first steps I would recommend taking. 

Are you and your spouse on the same page- this is important.  Thankfully my husband and I were on the same page when we decided to keep our son home for Kindergarten - he had always been home with me and we just weren’t okay with the idea of him leaving for the day so young.  We planned on homeschooling for the year and then reevaluating,

Check your state's homeschool laws.  We have homeschooled in both Maryland and Florida.  Both have pretty easy homeschool laws. It is important that you understand these laws & follow them.  www.hslda.org is a fantastic website for this. 

Find a local homeschool group on Facebook,  this is a great way to see what is available in your area and meet other families on this homeschool journey.

Find your homeschool “style” This will likely change as you start homeschooling and figure out what works best for your family.  I was so worried about doing “enough” that I tried to replicate the classroom in our home.  It did not work for us and now I just giggle at the thought of that.  Now we are wild + free - Charlotte Mason-type homeschoolers - the polar opposite of what we see in the standard classrooms.

Figure out your “why” you will be asked a million times why you homeschool.  This “why” isn’t for other people, this why is for you.  Some days will be hard, boring, exhausting, annoying, and frustrating & you’ll question yourself and this decision more than once in this journey.  This is where your why comes in.  You will need the reminder that you chose this for a reason and this; even if it's just for right now is what is best for your family. 

Books that I HIGHLY recommend 

The Call of the Wild+Free by Ainsley Arment - this book is gold, it is wise, encouraging, smart, true, and Beautiful.  There is also a podcast by the same name

Awaking Wonder by Sally Clarkson.  If you know me at all, you know I LOVE Sally.  Her words have changed our lives forever.  Every book she writes is beautiful but, this one is geared towards homeschooling and it is wonderful

Plan your Year by Pam Barnhill.  This book is great for learning about the different styles and methods of homeschooling.  She does a great job helping the reader figure out what works best for them.  She also has a podcast that is wonderful.

Podcasts that I highly recommend 

Life with Sally by Sally Clarkson- again I am her number one fan.  The podcast is not specifically for homeschooling but does touch on it and is a fabulous podcast for any Bible-believing mama out there. 

Wild + Free

1000 hours outside (I love this podcast so much)

The Modern Miss Mason - great for mamas that lean towards or want to learn more about the education methods of Charlotte Mason