Starting to homeschool isn’t as complicated as you may think. If you’re a parent who is considering homeschooling, here are the basics of what it will take to get started. It’s not a complete list of what to do (there’s no talk of choosing curriculum – gasp!), but, in my opinion, it includes the most important and actionable steps that must be done before you begin the practical side of homeschooling.

Know your “why”

Write it down. Why do you want to homeschool? Being clear on why you want to homeschool is the most important thing you can do for your future self. You’ll fall back on your reasons when things get hard, and they will get hard!

Find out your state’s homeschool laws 

You can find a link to the laws for all 50 States here.

Learn the in’s and out’s of homeschooling 

Start gaining theoretical and practical knowledge of not only homeschooling, but also child development and relationship building. Diving deeply into each of these topics helped me build a solid foundation for our first years homeschooling. You can see some of the books I read and recommend here. Our Youtube channel will also help you see what the homeschooling lifestyle looks like for us to give you an idea of what it could look like for you, too.

Deschool

If your child(ren) have been in a school-setting for any length of time, I suggest deschooling. The process will look different for every family, and it doesn’t just include the children. You can learn more about deschooling here.

Connect with other homeschoolers

Whether it’s online or in-person, developing relationships with other homeschoolers is essential when you begin homeschooling, even before you begin preferably. Joining Facebook groups, following other homeschooling families on social media, and locating local groups is the best way to get connected with the homeschool community, both online and locally. You can find local homeschool groups by state here. 

I’ve written this post for finding Facebook groups in Michigan as well as this one for finding Black Facebook homeschool groups that may help get you started. 

Get a mentor

Seeking the guidance of a homeschool mentor to work with you one-on-one right from the start is one of the best ways to begin homeschooling. Being able to ask questions, receive recommendations, and overall support from a homeschool mom who will take you under her wing is invaluable.

If you’re interested in learning more how personalized mentoring services can benefit you, click here.

Making the choice to homeschool is one of the biggest decisions that you’ll make for your family. Getting off to a solid start makes all the difference in how those first few years go, and I hope that these six steps help you do just that.