What I Wish I Knew Before We Started Homeschooling
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When we made the decision to homeschool, I was equal parts excited and overwhelmed. I had visions of cozy mornings with read-alouds, nature walks in the sunshine, and deep conversations with curious little minds. But I also had questions—a lot of them.
Could I really teach my children everything they needed to know?
What if I failed them?
Would they fall behind?
Would they miss out socially?
Now, with a few years of homeschooling under my belt, I’ve learned so much—about my children, about education, and about myself. There have been mistakes and missteps, but there has also been so much growth.
If you’re just getting started or even just thinking about homeschooling, this post is for you. I want to share what I wish I knew before we started, so you can step into this journey with confidence, grace, and maybe even a head start.
And don’t forget to grab your FREE Homeschool Starter To-Do List—a simple, encouraging guide to help you take those first steps without the overwhelm. 💛
👉 Join the mailing list here to get your free copy!
1. You Don’t Need to Have It All Figured Out
I thought I had to know everything before we started—curriculum picked, schedule planned, perfect homeschool space set up. But here’s the truth: you learn as you go.
Homeschooling is a journey that unfolds over time. You’ll grow into it. You’ll adjust as your children grow and as your confidence builds. It’s okay to start small and figure it out along the way.
🌿 Start simple. Start with love. The rest can be figured out as you go.
2. Your Homeschool Will Not Look Like School—And That’s a Good Thing
One of the most freeing realizations I had was that homeschooling is not about replicating school at home. You don’t need desks in rows, 8-hour days, or even strict hourly schedules.
Homeschooling allows for flexibility, creativity, and deep learning. You can slow down when something’s not clicking, and dive deep when your child finds something they love.
Some days will look like workbooks and writing. Other days will be nature walks, baking, or building with blocks. It all counts.
💌 Need help figuring out your homeschool rhythm? My free Homeschool Starter To-Do List includes tips for finding a flow that fits your family. And if you want to dive deeper, check out my blog post "How to Find Your Homeschool Style".
3. You Don’t Need a Teaching Degree to Do This
You don’t need formal training to teach your child. You do need love, patience, a willingness to learn, and the desire to guide your children.
You already teach them every day—how to speak, how to tie their shoes, how to say please and thank you. Homeschooling is just an extension of that.
And the good news? There are so many resources out there to support you—curriculum guides, homeschool communities, podcasts, books, blogs (like this one!).
✨ You were your child’s first teacher. You are still the best person to lead their learning. For more on this, head over and read "Why You Are The Perfect Person To Teach Your Child".
4. Your Homeschool Will Evolve—and That’s Okay
What works for one season may not work for the next. That’s not failure. That’s life. Children grow, circumstances change, and your homeschool can (and should) shift to meet your family’s needs.
At first, I was so worried about “changing plans” or “getting off track.” Now I know that flexibility is a strength. Pivoting isn’t quitting. It’s adjusting with wisdom.
🌈 Embrace the fluid nature of homeschooling. Give yourself permission to evolve.
5. You Don’t Have to Do All the Subjects Every Day
This one was a game-changer. You do not have to cover every subject, every single day. Homeschooling is not about cramming in as much as possible—it’s about meaningful, consistent learning.
You can loop subjects, do block scheduling, or set aside special days for science experiments or field trips. Weekly rhythms often work better than rigid daily checklists.
📝 In my starter list freebie, I include tips for scheduling subjects in a realistic and life-giving way.
6. Curriculum is a Tool, Not a Master
It’s easy to get overwhelmed by curriculum choices. And it’s easy to think, “If I just find the perfect curriculum, everything will fall into place.”
But curriculum is just a tool. It’s not your boss. It should serve you and your child, not the other way around.
Don’t be afraid to adjust, skip lessons, or switch programs if something isn’t working. You are not failing—you are customizing your homeschool to your child’s unique needs.
💡 You are the expert on your child. Trust that.
7. Learning Happens Outside of “School Time”
One of the best parts of homeschooling is that learning becomes a lifestyle. It’s in the kitchen while baking cookies and measuring ingredients. It’s in the garden while planting seeds. It’s at the store, in conversations, in books read aloud before bed.
You’ll start to see learning everywhere. And that’s the beauty of this path—it’s not confined to a classroom. It’s woven into the rhythm of your life.
🍃 Don’t underestimate the value of everyday moments. They’re building your child’s foundation.
8. It’s Okay to Have Hard Days
There will be tears. There will be messes. There will be days you wonder if you’re cut out for this.
That doesn’t mean you’re failing. That means you’re human.
Some days you’ll question everything. But most days, you’ll see your child’s growth and know it’s worth it. Give yourself grace. Rest when needed. Seek support. Take breaks.
💬 Hard doesn’t mean wrong. It means you’re doing something real and meaningful.
9. Socialization Happens—Beautifully
One of the most common questions homeschoolers face is, “What about socialization?” And it’s one I worried about too.
What I’ve learned? Homeschoolers socialize just fine. In fact, they often interact with a wider range of people—adults, younger kids, older peers, and community members.
Through co-ops, church groups, playdates, field trips, sports, and everyday interactions, your child will learn how to connect in real-world ways.
📘 I talk more about this in my eBook, "Navigating Socialization," but trust me—your kids will be just fine.
10. You Will Grow Just As Much As Your Child
Homeschooling isn’t just an education for your kids—it’s a stretching, sanctifying journey for you too.
You’ll grow in patience, humility, organization, and faith. You’ll uncover areas in yourself that need healing. You’ll rediscover the joy of learning, alongside your child.
You’ll also develop a bond with your children that is rich and layered—built through time, shared experiences, and mutual respect.
💛 Homeschooling changes your child, but it also changes you. And that’s a gift.
11. Comparison is the Thief of Joy
You will see beautiful homeschool photos on Instagram. You will meet moms who seem to have it all together. You will read posts about kids reading chapter books at 5.
And you will be tempted to wonder if you’re doing enough.
Stop. Right. There.
Your homeschool doesn’t need to look like anyone else’s. What matters most is that your child is loved, growing, and learning at their pace. Lean into your own rhythm.
📌 Your homeschool journey is not behind—it’s right on time.
12. You Don’t Need to Say “Yes” to Everything
In the beginning, I wanted to do all the things. Co-ops, extracurriculars, library groups, STEM days, field trips, nature hikes, music lessons…
It was too much.
Homeschooling offers freedom—but you have to protect it. It’s okay to say no to good things so you can say yes to the best things for your family in this season.
🕊️ Guard your peace. Simplicity is your superpower.
13. You’ll Build a Life You Don’t Want to Escape From
There’s something incredibly grounding about living a life of intentional slowness. About being present for the little things. About knowing that what you’re doing matters deeply, even if the world doesn’t always recognize it.
Homeschooling gives you the gift of time. Of memories made. Of childhood preserved.
Yes, it’s work. But it’s good work. Kingdom work. Soul-shaping work.
🌷 You’re not just educating. You’re nurturing a life.
Ready to Start?
If you’ve made it this far, your heart is probably tugging at the idea of homeschooling. Maybe you’re already in it and just needed encouragement. Or maybe you’re standing on the edge, unsure where to begin.
Either way—you’re not alone.
To help you get started, I created a FREE Homeschool Starter To-Do List just for you. It’s a gentle, step-by-step guide to help you begin your homeschool journey with confidence and peace.
✨ Join the mailing list to get your free guide: [Insert Sign-Up Link Here]
You’ll also receive weekly encouragement, blog updates, and resources to support you every step of the way.
In Closing: You’ve Got This, Mama.
Homeschooling is not always easy. But it is good. It is meaningful. And it is deeply worth it.
You are enough. You are capable. You are not alone.
What I wish I knew before we started homeschooling is this:
There is no perfect way—but there is your way.
And it will be just right for your family.
Cheering for you always,
Jennifer
Our Homespun Happiness