Homeschooling.

Whether you’re here as a brand new homeschooler looking for how to get started or you’re a more seasoned homeschooling looking for inspiration or solutions – I’ve got something for you.

Homeschooling is very close to my heart for many reasons. I don’t consider myself anti-public school. But I am anti-our public school system as it is right now.

I don’t think it’s the right fit for any child and that every single child out there would thrive in a better system.

But I can’t tackle the world right now. So my hope is to be able to help those who have chosen to homeschool and help them make homeschooling the best for their family.

On the fence about homeschooling – here’s why I think it’s a great idea.

How to Start Homeschooling

If you are brand new to homeschooling I want to just give you a big hug right now. I know you’re stepping into unknown territory and it may be terrifying and exhilarating all at once.

Take a deep breath because you’ve got this.

I don’t know how much time and energy you’ve put into homeschooling, obviously. Some people research for years before taking the plunge. And others are faced with a decision and pull their kids out of school on the same day.

So wherever you are, I hope the best for you. If you have any questions, I hope these posts can help:

What is Secular Homesschooling?
The Value Behind Deschooling
How to Have the Patience of a Saint

What to do when you’re stuck in your homeschool

Maybe you’ve been homeschooling for a while already and you’re just feeling stuck.

I get it. I’ve been there many times.

First, I want to say – it’s okay to be a hot mess homeschooler. So if you’re feeling stuck, make sure it’s you feeling stuck and not society telling you you’re doing it wrong.

If you really are stuck though and it’s not just society, let’s see if we can find a solution.

The most common reason I feel stuck is when my kids are just not doing what they need to be doing. Maybe they’re whining about the work I’ve given, they’re not progressing, or they straight up refuse to do the work. Doesn’t matter. I always go back to sitting down with them and finding the problem.

Once we’ve identified what is wrong, it’s easy to move on and find a solution. Here are my tips for involving your kids in the homeschool decisions.

Sometimes a simple change is all we need. Which is why I created a ‘create your own homeschool schedule’ printable. Basically you choose the subjects, they choose the order. This is especially good for younger kids who crave a sense of control and older kids who have to get through a specific set of material in a given day.

My next step is to reevaluate our homeschool mornings. A good homeschool morning routine can alter the entire day just like a bad one can throw the entire day off track. It doesn’t take much to derail us. So here are my 7 tips for a better homeschool morning routine.

How to be a Healthy Homeschool Mom

The one biggest downside I see to homeschooling is that many parents lose themselves in the process. I may say mom a lot, because I’m a mom, but this applies to any homeschooling parent.

What does it mean to you to be a healthy homeschool mom?

To me it means that you have a sense of purpose, you feel generally positive about your everyday life, and you still have your own sense of self.

That description was intentionally vague. Because being a healthy person will look different to everyone. Some people think of dieting and exercise, others think of self-care, etc.

First, I think it’s important for everyone to have a support network. You don’t need millions of friends but everyone should have some type of support. Hint – it’s okay if it’s online.

Are you an introvert? Don’t feel guilty about staying home and recharging. Introverts homeschool, too.

Make time for yourself. I know that’s easier said than done. But it is important. Make yourself a priority and take time for yourself.

If you really don’t have time for yourself, here’s some quick self-care ideas.

Homeschool Room Ideas

Let’s get this out of the way right from the start – you do not need a school room. In fact, we’ve homeschooled in many houses with no specific homeschool room.

We are movers. By that, I mean that we move often. So here are a few of the set ups we have had in our homeschool journey.

Our homeschool space when the boys were young (Baloo was in Kindergarten).

When we didn’t have a separate room for homeschooling – here’s where we homeschooled.

Here’s our space when we got lucky with a huge extra living room.

Now that I’ve shared a few of the spaces we’ve had – here are my tips for finding the space in your house to make your homeschool space work for you.