5 Easy Steps to Begin Homeschooling
Are you considering keeping your children home this upcoming school year? You have been probably thinking about it for a while (with good reason!) and you aren’t alone. More families than ever before are taking the leap to homeschooling and will most likely never look back. But right now, there are probably many questions running through your head:
Where do you begin?
What are your options?
What steps do you need to take?
Can you begin homeschooling in middle school or high school?
What qualifications do you need to homeschool?
But, what about socialization?
It’s all easier than you think. My newest book, Homeschool Happily: Yes, You Can! answers all of these questions in depth (and so much more) but let’s give you a head start!
Begin by reviewing the homeschool laws for your home state. They are all different and you want to make sure you get off on the right foot! In Georgia, for example, all you need to do is file a simple “intent to homeschool” which is easily found online.
Speak to your children about the homeschooling alternative and make sure they are on board. If they seem hesitant, give them the option of it being a trial run. Your kids can always go back to public school, but chances are they won’t want to.
Research different curriculum choices appropriate for the learning style of your child, their interests, and your sensibility. There are many different online courses and resources that will guide you in your homeschooling adventure.
Start to connect with some homeschooling groups on social media. You will get lots of useful information from people who are currently homeschooling and everyone is more than happy to help newbies!
Decide on your homeschooling philosophy or method. There are a few options to choose from. (I use the eclectic method which is a little bit of everything). Consider what days you will want to homeschool, what hours, in what location in your house, and if you have to juggle work in with it all. (I am a work-from-home mom so although we have “set” homeschooling hours, my kids know that they have to be flexible around my work responsibilities.)
Start the process today and by August you will be ready to roll! Make sure to check out Homeschool Happily: Yes, You Can! - it will guide you every step of the way (and help you sort through curriculum options too!). This modern day guide to homeschooling will give you the confidence you need to take the leap! You got this!
My new book, Homeschool Happily: Yes, You Can! is available on the SHOP page
