Your First Year Homeschooling
There’s a lot more that goes with homeschooling than just teaching. I think that is one of the hardest lessons we learn at the beginning of our homeschooling journey. That we have to figure out how to fit it all in- homeschool, cooking, cleaning, laundry. field trips and outside play as well as a little time for ourselves into the day.
It’s a lot.
But homeschooling is a journey. When we first start homeschooling we aren’t going to know what type of curriculum our kids flourish in or how to efficiently structure our days to get our to-do list done, and that’s not only okay it’s totally normal!
My first year of homeschooling was basically a trial run. I didn’t know what curriculum we were going to use, what homeschool group we were going to be a part of, what grades my girls should be studying or even what type of homeschooling we were interested in. We just gave it a shot and tried some things to see what worked and what didn’t.
I found that we all loved read aloud time in the mornings.
I found that a curriculum that worked for my 8 year old twins at the time didn’t work for my 5 year old. She needed something different.
I learned I didn’t need a preschool curriculum for my youngest, that counting blocks and practicing letter sounds were more fun and effective!
I also found out that a printer was one of the best investments I ever made for our homeschool! ( Seriously, you can print anything off-coloring pages, music sheets, math practice, science lessons, word searches, writing prompts.. I could go on )
My point is give yourself the grace to take the time you need. As a new homeschooler you will be learning lots as well.
Homeschooling is a blessing… but it’s also a learning curve. and not a simple one.
But things that are hard are usually worth doing, right? So remember your WHY. Why did you choose to homeschool? Because this is my first tip for Homeschoolers In their first year…
Write Down Your “Why?”
Put it somewhere you will easily see often.. In your binder, by your desk, beside your bed, etc. Then when you have those days where you feel like you’re failing and you can’t possibly keep up.. Read It.
Because you are going to have those days, we all do. So when you do, read your why. Then make some tea or coffee and maybe instead of the math and writing you had planned for the day, find a cool coloring book and have a coloring contest! If you need some options I have listed a few below.
What Type Of Homeschooling Is Right For Your Family?
My next tip for homeschoolers in their first year is to look into different homeschooling styles. And don’t be afraid to take some time to try a few out.
An Unschooling ( Child led interest) type of learning is great for some families and worth trying if you’re interested!
Charlotte Mason Homeschooling is more of a delicate approach. It involves reading living books, studying nature and treating homeschool as discipline and way of life. The Charlotte Mason method of homeschooling is absolutely worth trying as well!
You won’t know which homeschooling style is the best fit for your family until you give each one you’re interested in a try!
For more information on the different types of homeschooling, check out our blog post on Homeschooling Styles.
Get Up Early
I think I have said this before, but waking up early will be a huge benefit for yourself as a homeschooling parent!
Set your alarm.
Wake up early.
Make some coffee or tea and enjoy some time FOR YOU before the day starts!
Read the bible or your novel, watch your show (guilty!), get your work out done, or just be.
In my experience this beats waking up to loud, excited and sometimes messy children. And It really helps set your mood for the day on your own terms.
Plus I love being awake to greet each one of my daughters as they come down the stairs in the morning.
Homeschooling Multiple Grades Isn’t Easy… Remember That.
If you’re a homeschooling parent of more than one child, you’ve got your hands full! And I know you probably hear that all of the time, because I do.
But it’s true. With more than one child, homeschooling becomes a tougher job.
Over the years I have learned some things that helped the day run a little smoother while homeschooling our four girls.
If you’re Interest In reading about what worked, take a peak at our Homeschooling Multiple Grades blog post for some tips!
Put A Load Of Laundry In.
Yep, you read that right. In my first year of homeschooling I learned that those morning hours were important for getting house work done.
Because before you know it , It’s lunch time and your homeschool crew has already dirtied more dished than you have cleaned.
So after you take that last sip of your morning coffee, put a load of laundry in.
Put A load of dishes in the dishwasher, or fill the sink up ready to be washed.
That way, if you don’t get to anymore house work in the day, at least you’ve already washed laundry and dishes!
But Remember… Your Kids Can Clean Too!
Which leads me to my next tip for parents in their first year of homeschooling.
Make chores a part of your kids homeschool.
After all it is, HOME school.
Learning life skills such as cooking dinner and cleaning laundry is a huge part of homeschooling!
And it takes a family to run a home.
The way I like to explain it to my daughters is that as a family we are all holding our home up together, and if one of us lets go, It could all fall.
The same goes for keeping our home running. If we don’t all help and do our share, the house could fall apart.
So give some of your daily chores to your kids, it’s good for them!
If your wondering If we pay our girls for their chores, check out my blog post on The Difference Between Chores and Jobs
Make Your Homeschool Week A Four Day Week!
When you have kids who aren’t in high school yet, there is enough time in a four day period to get everything done.
Right now, our Mondays are more focused on crafts, baking, cooking, reading and fun documentaries. And we don’t have school on Fridays yet.
We have bookwork on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. And for this season of life, it’s more than enough.
So give yourself permission to homeschool 4 days a week, you won’t regret it.
Most homeschoolers end up needing the 5th day when our kids get closer to high school.
We choose to homeschool because we want to keep our kids safe, not just from physical harm but also from what they are exposed to.
We want to watch them learn, grow and make sure they are spending their time with other people who teach and show them respect. Just like becoming a parent, homeschool isn’t always easy but its always worth it.
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I’m homeschooling my children for same reasons.
I absolutely love your page.
Some amazing thoughts and ideas that I’ll be sure to implement.
Homeschooling for the first time can be both exciting and challenging. This post offers practical tips and encouragement to help you navigate your journey and create a positive learning environment for your child.
This is really encouraging. It sounds like you’ve learned to go with the flow while still exposing your children to a good amount of material. Great post!
I am starting my kids homeschool journey (2 and 4 year old) this year and needed to hear some of these tips because I’ve been freaking out! Thank you!
That first year of homeschool teaching is absolutely more than teaching! Organization. 😊 once you get into the groove it’s all easier.
Thank you for sharing these great tips for homeschooling parents. These tips will give them an easy way out!
I am interested in homeschooling, but I don’t think I can do that. But your post is inspirational and motivational. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
Great tips and definitely what we leaned into for our first year of homeschooling! Still applicable 3 years later haha 🙂
I would like more information on pre school/kindergarten my little guy 4 first time mama
Thank you so much for this. It was honestly so inspiring to read and makes me excited for when my own girls are school age!
I just became a mama, and am so excited to homeschool! This post gave me some great ideas to consider implementing (4 day week, especially!), and I’ll be remembering your blog for future ideas!
Definitely what I needed to read! Starting homeschool with my oldest is a little daunting. I appreciate the advice and ideas. I love the idea of a 4 day week.