5 Tips for Starting the New Homeschool Year Successfully

Homeschooling initially seemed very intimidating to me. For a brief moment, the thought of taking full responsibility for my children’s education felt overwhelming. If you’re in a similar situation, I hope this article helps ease your anxiety and gives you a practical roadmap to success. Here are five tips I use to start a new homeschool year successfully:

1. Talk to Your Children About Their Interests

A great way to kick off the homeschool year is by engaging your children in a conversation about what they’re curious about. Ask them questions like, “What would you like to learn this year?” or “Are there any hobbies or topics you’re really excited about?” Understanding their interests will not only help you create a more engaging curriculum but also foster a sense of ownership in their learning journey.

2. Incorporate a Theme into Your Lessons

Once you’ve identified your children’s interests, consider building a theme around those topics. For instance, if your kids are fascinated by space, you can integrate that into subjects like reading, math, and science. I like to use themes for a quarter (about 9 weeks) to keep things fresh and exciting. Switching up the theme periodically ensures my children stay engaged and eager to learn.

3. Utilize Free and Creative Resources

You don’t have to break the bank to provide a rich educational experience. There are plenty of free and low-cost resources available, such as:

• Worksheets and Printables: Websites like Pinterest and Teachers Pay Teachers offer a variety of ready-made resources.

• Outdoor Activities: Nature walks and scavenger hunts can double as lessons in science and observation skills.

• Family Outings: Museums, zoos, and historical sites are excellent for hands-on learning.

• TV and Documentaries: Educational shows and documentaries can supplement your lessons and provide a visual learning experience. These resources add variety to your routine and keep learning enjoyable for your children.

4. Track Progress with a Planner or Notebook

Keeping track of your children’s progress is crucial for staying organized and identifying areas of improvement. I use a planner or a simple notebook to:

• Annotate daily activities and lessons.

• Record milestones and achievements.

• Note areas where my children might need additional support. This practice not only keeps me organized but also provides a record I can refer back to throughout the year.

5. Set Realistic and Attainable Goals

Setting goals for your children is essential, but it’s important to ensure they are realistic and aligned with where your child is academically. My focus is on challenging my children without causing excessive stress. Overloading them with expectations can make learning feel like a chore and risk damaging their enthusiasm. Instead, I aim to build trust and maintain the joy of learning by:

• Encouraging steady progress.

• Celebrating small victories.

• Adjusting goals based on their evolving needs and capabilities.

Final Thoughts

Homeschooling doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By starting with these five tips, you can set a positive tone for the school year and create an environment where your children can thrive. If you’re looking for more guidance, check out my recent YouTube video on creating a simple and effective homeschool routine. I’ve linked it below for more insights.

Remember, every homeschool journey is unique. Take it one step at a time, and don’t be afraid to adjust your approach as you learn what works best for your family. Here’s to a successful homeschool year!

Imposter Syndrome in Homeschooling: Trusting Yourself as a Teacher

I’m not sure if I’m delusional or just very self-aware, but I haven’t experienced imposter syndrome since deciding to become a homeschooling mother. If you’re someone who struggles with this, I hope you find this post helpful.

What Is Imposter Syndrome?

Imposter syndrome is defined as “a psychological experience where someone has an ongoing fear of being exposed as incompetent or a fraud, despite evidence to the contrary.” Let’s be real—every parent, myself included, has faced some form of self-doubt.

I remember feeling overwhelmed when it came time to teach my 5-year-old to read. I found myself deep-diving into endless internet searches, trying to make sense of it all. Eventually, I spoke with an older woman who had successfully taught three children with learning disabilities to read—even when doctors said they wouldn’t be functional. Her encouragement made me reevaluate my own situation. After that conversation, I felt confident in my ability to teach my child to read.

You’re Already a Teacher

Think about all the things you’ve already taught your child: walking, potty training, talking—sometimes even in multiple languages! If you’re reading this, congratulations—you’re already a teacher. Just reflect on the milestones you’ve helped your child reach since birth.

Now, let’s get practical. If you know math isn’t your strongest subject, recognize that early. Identifying areas where you need support is the first step. A quick Google search can lead you to countless resources, from subscription services to online lessons or even hiring a tutor. The key is finding a solution that works for you and your family.

Tailored Learning: You’re Already Doing It

As parents, we know our children better than anyone else. We understand what they like, what they dislike, and how they communicate. This gives you a head start in creating a learning system tailored specifically to your child’s needs—you’ve been doing this since they were born!

Create a Plan and Celebrate Small Wins

Without a solid plan, it’s easy to get off track or make avoidable mistakes. Start by setting small, achievable goals. Research how others have taught similar concepts, then adapt those strategies to your child’s learning style. Once you have a plan, execute it, and don’t forget to celebrate the wins along the way.

Perfection isn’t the goal here. What works for one family may not work for yours. For example, if your child is a hands-on learner, reading all day may not be effective. Similarly, an auditory learner might not thrive in an environment filled with constant physical activities. The key is to create a fun and loving learning environment. It doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated—sometimes, simple moments on the couch or around the dinner table are the most impactful.

Build Confidence in Yourself and Your Kids

To feel confident as a homeschooling parent, find rituals that help you stay grounded. Whether it’s daily affirmations, wearing a nice outfit, sipping your favorite tea, or even doing a little dance, do what works for you. Cultivating confidence will help you trust yourself on this journey.

For me, confidence comes from planning and getting excited about the subjects my kids are interested in. If things don’t go as planned, I know I can give them a hug, recite affirmations, and encourage them to try again.

Homeschooling: A Journey of Growth for Both of You

Homeschooling isn’t just about teaching your kids—it’s also about personal growth. Stepping into unfamiliar or uncomfortable situations will challenge you, and your child will learn from your resilience. Embrace your unique qualities and share them with your little ones.

Homeschooling is a shared journey of discovery, and every step you take together strengthens your bond.

Balancing Homeschooling with Family Life

Being a mother and my children’s teacher can be a lot to manage. After a year and a half of homeschooling, I realized I needed to find balance to maintain my sanity and nurture the relationship I want with my kids. The truth is, I had to let go of perfectionism and control. Once I did that, I could truly prioritize my children’s education and manage family life more effectively.

Yes, sometimes the kids’ rooms are messy, and there’s a mountain of laundry, but my kids also need physical activity—so we go for a walk. At first, it was hard to accept, but releasing control allowed me to create systems that help me balance time with my kids while still tackling tasks to keep our home functional. Time management, using a planner, and jotting down notes have been crucial. Planning our homeschool days and subjects in advance gives me time to prepare and leaves room to handle other responsibilities once school is done.

One game-changer was creating a weekly meal plan. Every weekend, I spend about 30 minutes choosing recipes my family will enjoy and making a grocery list. This simple habit saves time during the week and reduces stress around meals. I can focus on providing nutrient-dense meals without scrambling for ideas at the last minute.

Let’s be real—dealing with mountains of kids’ clothes and constant tidying is exhausting. It feels like as soon as you sit down, you’re getting right back up. So, I researched age-appropriate tasks my kids could help with. One of the biggest successes was teaching them to fold their clothes. I used a cardboard box from Lowe’s, cut into three sections, to simplify the process for them. They now fold and put away their clothes independently.

We also use a Melissa and Doug wooden broom and mop set. My oldest sweeps up crumbs, while my youngest helps by putting plates on the counter. Occasionally, we cook together, and my oldest takes his small bathroom trash to the larger kitchen bin. It gives me peace of mind knowing my kids are helping rather than making more mess while I try to clean.

Another major adjustment was setting boundaries. As a low-to-no screen-time family, my kids love listening to audiobooks or having me read to them. But this can get overwhelming—especially when I’m mid-bathroom break, and they come in with a stack of books asking for story time! To create balance, I’ve set clear rules. I announce when school starts and ends and allow each child to pick one book daily for me to read during our downtime.

It’s important to remember that your kids love you and value the experience of learning with you. These moments help them find common ground with you and spark conversations. As homeschooling parents, we should remind ourselves that it’s the little things that count. Learning doesn’t stop—it’s a lifelong journey, even for us as adults.

Top Resources for Homeschooling in Texas

Homeschooling isn’t about perfection for me. It’s about providing my children with the highest level of education possible. Whether that means paying for subscriptions, using free resources at the public library, or even hiring a tutor, I’m committed to meeting their needs.

Every state has different homeschooling requirements. In this post, I’ll share some specifics about homeschooling in Texas and highlight resources that apply across North America.

Know Your State’s Legal Requirements

The best way to avoid legal troubles is to understand your state’s homeschooling laws. My go-to resource for this is HSLDA (Home School Legal Defense Association). This site provides an overview of homeschooling regulations across North America, including specifics about your state. It outlines whether you need to submit a letter of intent (a formal notice of your plan to homeschool) and the age range for mandatory schooling.

In Texas, children aged 6-18 must be enrolled in school, but a letter of intent isn’t required unless your child is already enrolled in a public or private school. In that case, a withdrawal process is necessary. Texas also doesn’t require parents to have teacher qualifications. The state mandates teaching these subjects: Math, Reading, Spelling and Grammar, and a course in Good Citizenship. You must also use a “bona fide” curriculum.

If you’re interested in learning more, check out these links:
HSLDA Texas Overview
How to Comply with Texas Homeschool Law

Helpful Homeschooling Resources

Here are some tools and platforms I’ve found helpful:

• IXL Learning: This online platform provides resources for Pre-K through 12th grade. It offers a detailed list of state-specific learning standards and a subscription service for access to online lessons, textbook recommendations, and more.
  IXL Learning

• The Good & The Beautiful: A faith-based curriculum popular in the homeschooling community. I’ve used it for science, though I wasn’t particularly impressed.

• Stephanie Hathaway Designs: An author of nature-based curricula. We’re currently using her insect guide, which has been a great fit for our studies.

Apps and Other Tools

• Khan Academy Kids: A free app with activities designed to meet state learning requirements. I use this app to help my 5-year-old improve letter recognition, phonics, and reading foundations. It also covers math and more.

• Studycat: A language-learning app we use to teach Spanish. It offers other languages like French, Chinese, German, and English.

• Pinterest and Etsy: Great for finding arts and crafts ideas and purchasing unique, nature-based curricula.

Socialization and Co-ops

Because we’re in a transitional living phase, we haven’t joined any co-ops yet. However, once we settle on our homestead, I plan to explore co-op programs for traveling families. Some parents worry about socialization, but that’s not a primary concern for us. My children are naturally outgoing and engage with people of all ages when we’re out and about.

Final Thoughts

There are countless resources available for homeschooling families, from YouTube and Etsy to paid apps and website subscriptions. Ultimately, it’s up to each parent to create an environment that works best for their child while meeting state requirements.

Creating a Flexible Homeschool Schedule That Works for Your Family

What’s important to you may not be the same for me, but flexibility in my children’s education was a big factor in choosing this form of “alternative education.” At first, I wasn’t sure how to handle the legal aspects or my role as an inexperienced parent, but like most new things in life, I knew I could learn. One of my favorite things about homeschooling is being able to learn alongside my children. It helps me brush up on skills from my childhood while teaching them these concepts for the first time. It truly is a bonding experience.

Every family’s homeschooling goals are different. For my family, I realized that trying to do schoolwork every day just wasn’t realistic for our lifestyle. It also started to affect my children’s relationship with learning. So, I decided to adjust our schedule to meet their needs. We now aim for school four days a week, with three days dedicated to reviewing what we’ve learned that week or month and connecting it to our current reality. I also decided to make our homeschooling season last 12 months, meaning no traditional summer vacation. However, we can take 2-3 weeks off throughout the year whenever needed to avoid burnout and maintain flexibility. One of my main goals is consistency, not perfection. It’s important to me that my children grasp specific concepts, rather than rushing through material just to stick to a calendar.

I’ve noticed that my kids are very energetic and need time to run around and play. So, after breakfast or lunch, we sit down as a family when they’re more likely to focus, usually for no more than 1-2 hours at a time. During learning time, we take breaks whenever the kids need them—for the restroom or just to process the new information they’ve been introduced to or are reviewing.

Since we only have “structured” school time Monday through Thursday, two days of that schedule follow a similar flow. For example, we may focus on math, writing, and art on Mondays and Wednesdays, and reading, science, and physical activity on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

I like the flexibility of this schedule because it makes 2-hour learning blocks more realistic for my family. It gives my children enough time to process the information without feeling overwhelmed and allows them a day in between to review what they’ve learned. It keeps things fresh and exciting.

This is where flexibility plays a big role. Being able to take advantage of spontaneity is key. As long as you know your child is learning and have a plan, everything will be okay—even if something unexpected comes up.

I’ve noticed that my children’s approach to learning is more free-flowing. They enjoy learning and crave it more and more, without me having to force it. Whatever form of schooling you choose—whether traditional school or homeschooling—things will come up. The upside to homeschooling is the flexibility it offers, allowing you to adjust without sacrificing your child’s education for those unexpected breaks.