100: 5 Things I Wish I Knew Before I Started Homeschooling

You’ll never feel 100% ready to start homeschooling.

The truth is, it’s a journey, and you don’t usually get the hang of it all at once.

The first time we started homeschooling was during COVID, and like so many families, we had to make quick decisions in a short amount of time. 

Then our second time around was different: it was planned, intentional, and we were excited about it.

In both situations, I did the best I could to prepare us for the transition. During COVID our time was limited and stressful, while the second time around, I thought I had every detail figured out since I had a longer runway.

But as I look back, there were lessons I had to learn the hard way. Even now, several years later, there are things I wish someone had told me from the very beginning. 

So I’m sharing my lessons learned with the hope that you’ll be able to begin your homeschool journey with confidence in yourself and clarity about your family’s path ahead.

Lesson 1: Think Big Picture First

When I started homeschooling, I was focused on the details: curriculum, schedules, activities.

But in reality, you can’t start with the details. You have to start with the big picture.

Ask yourself these types of questions (and discuss them with your partner if you have one!): 

• What do you want to accomplish through homeschooling? 
• What are your family’s priorities? 
• Is homeschooling a short-term solution or a long-term plan? 
• Maybe you’re taking a “wait and see” approach. If so, what factors will help you decide whether to continue or move in a different direction?
• And ultimately, what does success look like for your family? Not anyone else’s definition…yours.

Taking the time to get clear on the big picture has to come first. Once you’ve established your vision, the details don’t feel nearly as overwhelming because you already know what you’re working toward.

Lesson 2: The Rules Are Just a Guide

Every state has its own laws around homeschooling. Some have lots of rules, others not as many.

What I wish someone had told me is that, whether you live in a low-regulation state or one with a lot of oversight, your homeschool laws don’t have to be scary.

The key is to understand them from the very beginning. 

Once you know what you’re working with, the fear starts to fade. Clarity gives you peace of mind. And that’s when you can get creative and customize your child’s learning, because you understand the boundaries and how to make them work for your family.

Lesson 3: Curriculum Isn’t One-Size-Fits-All 

If you know about my $1,000 curriculum mistake, you already know how hard I struggled at the beginning. 

When we first started homeschooling, I picked a curriculum because it was popular and convenient. It had all the subjects bundled together, which felt like an easy choice. 

But it turned out to be a disaster. 

It wasn’t challenging enough for my kids, and it didn’t reflect our family’s values. By the very next semester, I had to scrap it and start over.

So here’s the lesson: the best resource is the one that fits your child’s learning style and your family’s priorities. 

Don’t get swayed by what’s popular or what another family is using because what works for them may not work for your kids. 

Instead, focus on what helps your children thrive, even if it doesn’t look like anyone else’s path.

Lesson 4: It’s About More Than Academics

When we first started homeschooling during COVID, academics were really all we could do because most everything else was shut down.

But the unexpected downtime surprised me because, suddenly, we weren’t rushing everywhere and bouncing from school to work to after-school activities. 

For the first time, we had space. And that space gave us time to explore more of what my girls enjoyed.

We did lots of art projects, we spent more time together as a family, and we even got into the Broadway show Hamilton, which opened the door to my girls falling in love with theater.

Then fast forward to our second homeschool journey, and I knew I wanted to hold on to that gift of time. Yes, academics matter, but I also wanted my girls to have the freedom to dive into the things that light them up.

So the lesson here is to set aside intentional time for your kids to explore their interests. 

They don’t have to do everything at once, but giving them opportunities to try things out helps them discover what excites them…and what doesn’t. 

And that exploration builds creativity, confidence, and helps your kids grow into well-rounded individuals.

Lesson 5: Find Community Without Burning Out

When we first started homeschooling, one of my biggest fears was that my girls wouldn’t have enough social outlets. They are very social, and I didn’t want them to feel bored or left out.

So I thought the answer was to fill every moment of the day with activities, just like in traditional school. 

And I overscheduled. HARD. 

We were in two co-ops, dance, volleyball, two kids’ clubs through our church, and I even considered adding Girl Scouts. Oh, and I was working full-time too. It was a lot.

But here’s what I learned: you don’t have to “overcompensate” by cramming your calendar full. Community will come, and you don’t need to overschedule to find it.

Instead, start with a handful of intentional places for connection (that your kids are into): maybe a co-op, a soccer team, or a drama club. That’s plenty. 

Then don’t forget this part: leave space for unstructured connection too. Some of the best moments happen when you meet up with co-op friends at the park or grab pizza with your child’s teammates after a game.

Community is essential, but you don’t need to burn yourself out to create it.

Bringing It All Together

Whether you’re a mom who has already started homeschooling and feels like you’re fumbling through, or you’re a mom who’s preparing to begin and wants to be intentional from the start, I hope these lessons bring you more confidence and clarity for your family’s journey.

And here’s the part I want you to really take with you: homeschooling doesn’t have to look perfect, and it doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s path. 

When you lead with your family’s vision, honor your child’s needs, and give yourself room to grow, you’re already on the right track!

If you want a step-by-step guide that takes these lessons even further, I created a free resource just for you. The START Homeschooling Workshop walks you through the first five steps to begin your homeschool journey with confidence and clarity.

You can grab it here. 👇🏾