074. Homeschooling 101: The First 10 Steps
074. Homeschooling 101: The First 10 Steps

Thinking about homeschooling your kids but not sure where to start? Or maybe you’ve already decided, but you’re feeling a bit overwhelmed? You’re not alone! We’ve walked this path, and we’re here to help you every step of the way.
In this episode, we’re sharing a step-by-step guide to help you confidently launch your homeschooling journey. It’s packed with tips, insights, and real-life advice to make homeschooling not only doable, but enjoyable for your whole family. Don’t forget to download your FREE Quick Start Homeschool Guide!
Episode 074:
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Are you just starting your homeschooling journey? We’re here to help! Begin with our Get Started in Homeschooling page and Homeschooling FAQ to make the transition smoother. If you’re guiding a young child, explore our How to Homeschool Kindergarten. to make those first steps special. For middle schoolers, don’t miss our Middle School page packed with tips and advice. And if you’re heading into the high school years, our Essential Steps to Homeschool High School will guide you every step of the way!
Show Notes
Have you been considering homeschooling your kids? Maybe you already made the decision and you’re ready to get started but maybe still feeling a bit uncertain or overwhelmed by the idea? You are definitely not alone. We know that more and more families are finding themselves at this crossroads, especially now, with growing concerns about the dismantling of the Department of Education and the looming threat that school vouchers pose to our public school system.
We’ve been where you are and have successfully homeschooled five children between our two families. Our goal is to empower other families by giving back to the homeschool community that has helped us over the years. And today we are going to help you get started in homeschooling with practical steps and plenty of resources.
Click here to discover why Maria and Nicole chose homeschooling. Hear their journey, meet their families, and learn how homeschooling was the right chose for their families:
And just a reminder: through our podcast episodes, blog, social media (Facebook and Instagram), and tons of free printable tools we’ve created, our mission is simple: we want to equip you with everything you need to make homeschooling not only doable, but enjoyable for your entire family. For this episode, we’ve created two powerful resources to help you get started: our free Get Started in Homeschooling Quick Reference Sheet, and our brand-new Homeschooling for Beginners eBook—a step-by-step guide designed to keep you encouraged and help you build the homeschool experience your family deserves.
Homeschooling is a big decision, but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. You have options when it comes to your child’s education, and homeschooling is one of the most flexible, empowering ones out there. And if you haven’t already, be sure to check out our episode, 10 Things I Wish I Knew BEFORE Homeschooling. It’s packed with insights from our own journey that might just help you feel a little more at ease.

And a lot of people want to know about high school and college even if they are just starting out. Homeschooling through high school is not only doable, your teenagers can thrive. In fact, creating a personalized high school experience for each of our kids has been one of the coolest and rewarding parts of this journey. It’s not just about preparing them for college or the workforce—it’s about helping them discover who they are and what they love.
In our free High School Series, we help you map out a solid foundation that gives them the skills and confidence to succeed — in high school and beyond., whether they’re heading to a university, starting a career, or starting a business.
So many homeschoolers are entrepreneurs. I own my own business and we even created a teen entrepreneur episode in the high school series with a free business start up packet you can download for them. Homeschooling takes a fraction of the time as traditional school, and it leaves your kids so much time and opportunity to pursue their passions and learn who they are.
10 steps to get started:
Step 1: Know Your State Laws
Homeschooling is legal in all 50 states but each state has its own rules about how, what, and when to teach. It’s important to stay in compliance with your state’s regulations. Look Up Your State Law.
When learning your state law, just be sure you understand your state’s specific requirements. And remember: it’s okay to meet your child where they are. If they’ve struggled with certain concepts, go back and revisit them. Homeschooling gives you that flexibility.
Step 2: Withdraw from Your Current School
If your child is already enrolled in public or private school, you’ll need to formally withdraw them. This usually involves a withdrawal letter sent to the school administration. Sample Withdrawal Letter 1 and Sample Withdrawal Letter 2
Step 3: De-School
This one is big. After leaving a traditional school setting, be sure to give yourselves this time to decompress. This adjustment period is called Deschooling and it’s essential for a smooth transition. Use this time to reconnect with them and reset. Don’t skip it! We go into specific details about how to do this and provide you with guidance in our deschooling episode. So if you’re at this stage, be sure to check it out and download your free deschooling resources to make the time you spend deschooling successful.
Step 4: Don’t Rush into Curriculum
This is one of the most common missteps. Don’t feel like you need to buy a full curriculum right away. First, take time to figure out your Homeschool Philosophy. This means learning about how your child learns best, and how you enjoy teaching. Homeschooling doesn’t have to look like school at home.
Step 5: Start Learning (as the Parent!)
This is a learning journey for you, too. We’ve got a great list of the Top 10 Books Every Homeschooler Should Read. They’re full of insight and guidance. You’ll explore different homeschool styles like Charlotte Mason, Classical, Unschooling, Montessori, and others. This is going to help you to define what kind of Homeschool you’re going to create and discover how your kids learn best. You’ll start to see what resonates with your family.

Step 6: Connect with Your Community
Find your people. Whether it’s a local homeschool co-op, field trip group, or an online support circle, connecting with other homeschoolers is so important. And let’s just say it: the myth about homeschoolers not being socialized? Not true. In fact, we were often too social, and sometimes had to scale back just to get things done at home! Check out our Episode 047: Socialization Myths in Homeschooling for more on that.
Step 7: Gather Your Resources
Now’s the time to start looking into curriculum, supplies, field trip ideas, online classes, and tools that fit your family. Whether your child has learning differences or just wasn’t thriving in their school environment, or maybe you have a brand new preschooler and you’re just getting started. You totally can do this successfully! Take a look at our Top 25 Homeschool Essentials page. We’ve even shared a peek inside our homeschool rooms over the years!

To help you stay organized, we created the BTDT Homeschool Lesson Planner and Ultimate Organizer homeschool planning book to keep you on track. I created a video walk-through so you can see exactly how it’s laid out to ensure it works for you and your family. I like everything to stay organized in my book, but you don’t have to buy that, we also have free planner templates you can download on the 25 essentials page. Using tools like these will help you lay out your weeks and help you stay organized.
Step 8: Create a Schedule and Rhythm
Every family’s schedule looks different. Build a routine that fits your lifestyle and priorities. Having a consistent rhythm helps bring peace and structure to your days. And remember, it’s okay to change things up as needed. Episode 009: Schedules, Routines, & Rhythms
Step 9: Homeschooling is a Family Affair
This impacts your whole household. Consider everyone’s needs. Especially if you have multiple ages at home. You’ll also want to find balance for yourself so you don’t burn out. We talk more about this in our Episode 046: 12 Ways to Balance Your Home and Homeschool. As a single mom, it is definitely one of my biggest challenges which is why I really wanted to do that episode. Getting your kids involved and helping has been a big part of my sanity, but also their growth. You can download our free chore charts and free meal planners to help keep your home running smoothly.
Step 10: Grow and Learn Together
Homeschooling is a lifestyle, not just a schooling method. You’ll all be learning, growing, and evolving as you go. Keep an open mind. Pay attention to what works and what doesn’t. Be patient, give yourself grace, and enjoy the freedom that comes with adjusting your approach when needed. There’s no one right way to homeschool and that’s one of the best parts! Episode 018. What is a Homeschool Lifestyle?
Homeschooling can be a wonderful journey for your entire family. Embrace it. While the future of education might feel uncertain right now, you are NOT powerless. You have the love, the commitment, and the support to create something amazing for each one of your children. We’re here cheering you on every step of the way!

This Week’s Free Resources
