Have you ever met another homeschool mom and wondered how they seemed so confident? Were they homeschooled as a child? Were they one of the few that were “born to homeschool”? Why does it seem so easy for some? Did they have to google “How to Homeschool” like we did? For most of these parents, time and experience are what make them so confident. With each year, you gain confidence in your ability to educate your children. As you reach goal after goal, milestone after milestone, you will find your homeschool power.
But maybe you’re just starting out on your homeschooling journey and you’re wondering, “what can I do in the meantime to feel confident?”
Here are 5 steps to help you get started today!
1. Deschooling
Deschooling is the period of adjustment and mental shift that both parents and students go through when they move away from the conventional system of education. It involves unlearning preconceptions and challenging some of your current and former beliefs surrounding what an education looks like. You can learn more about Deschooling in our blog, “Deschooling: What Does it Mean and Who is it For?” Deschooling is, without a doubt, the #1 step to becoming a Confident Homeschooler. We must shed old ideals that are no longer serving us in order to see education through a different lens. Once we stop holding ourselves back by trying to imitate a traditional school atmosphere in our homes, we will find our groove and soar!
2. Learn Your Local Homeschool Laws
When you aren’t sure of the homeschool regulations in our state, it’s easy to feel feel stressed and worried you’ll “do something wrong”. We sure don’t want CPS showing up at our house because we didn’t register our children as homeschoolers with the state (an extreme example of course). Knowing the laws/ regulations in your area and how to abide by them will definitely give you confidence. The “Homeschool Legal Defense Association” also known as “HSLDA” has a wonderful website full of resources and the homeschool laws by state. Be sure to visit HSLDA.org to learn more!
3. Learn the Homeschool Methods
Spending time and energy reviewing the various methods will definitely help you gain confidence. It can be overwhelming when you aren’t aware of terms such as “Charlotte Mason”, “Classical”, and “Unschooling”. What does it mean for a curriculum to be “Waldorf Inspired”? Be sure to download our FREE “Ultimate Guide to Homeschooling” where we break down and help you understand the difference between the various methods. This will help you to choose curriculum, choose the right co-ops, and maybe even find a method that your family aligns with.
4. Find Community
Finding your homeschool village will definitely help you gain confidence. Meeting other parents, learning what works for them, and having them as resources will help tremendously. It is so important to find homeschool community as soon as possible, whether it’s a park group, a co-op, a tutorial, a nature group, a book club, or another option. It’s great for your children to meet friends and especially for YOU to meet friends. Homeschooling can be a lonely journey without a friend or two to go through it with. Having this support system around will boost your belief in your ability to homeschool your child!
5. Create a Homeschool Vision
It’s hard to have focus and confidence when you don’t know where you are going. When we don’t have vision, we often flounder around, getting frustrated at all of the things that don’t seem to be working how we planned. When you have a vision for your homeschool, every other decision becomes so much easier. If your vision for the school year is to pursue child-led learning, then you will incorporate more opportunities for your children to learn about their interests. If your vision for your homeschool is to embrace the arts and spend time in nature, then you will prioritize these things and maybe say “no thanks” to other activities that don’t align. It’s especially helpful to create this vision WITH your children once they’re old enough. They will be more invested if they’re part of the process. You could even create “Homeschool Vision Boards” with your family one day. Be sure to have fun with it and spend intentional time creating a vision for your homeschool/ school year.
Once you have a good foundation on these 5 Steps, you will feel so much more confident in your ability to homeschool your child at home!
For more homeschooling tips, download our FREE guide, “The Ultimate Guide to Homeschooling“
Happy Homeschooling!!
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