New Homeschooling Mom? Read This BEFORE You Start Homeschooling!
As a new homeschooling mom, you can easily get overwhelmed by the sheer amount of information out there. There are books, online and offline courses, checklists, downloads, Facebook groups, forums, and so much more.
You can easily find yourself being pulled in a hundred directions at once.
Disclosure: I may receive commissions for purchases made through links in this post.
It’s Normal To Feel Worried
When I decided to start homeschooling, I didn’t know many homeschooling moms. The ones I did know were almost finished with their journey.
I felt like I jumped into the deep end of the swimming pool with no clue how to swim. Flailing around trying to keep afloat.
Back then, the internet was far from what it is today.
I will admit that there will always be a moment or two of your journey that you look back at with regret. Things you wish you had done differently. Times you wish you had gone in a different direction. That is perfectly normal.
When learning about something new, you should do all you can to educate yourself about the subject, including homeschooling. Be sure to take note of the many ways homeschooling can look like.
My Personal Filter When It Comes To Homeschooling Information
I want to share some of my all-time favorite resources for new homeschoolers, but before I do that, I want to share my personal “filter” that I use for all the “advice” I come across.
I shared it here in this video:
Did you notice? You need to use your kids, your family, and your life as your filter.
When you get advice that you know won’t work for you just say, “Thanks” and then do what you need to do. ♥
Can I ask you to do this with all the advice you are given?
Because the truth is no one knows what you need better than you.
Getting advice from others is GREAT. Reading books is awesome. Taking courses is another wonderful way to learn, BUT not everything you read, watch and learn will apply to you.
Try it out, but if it doesn’t work, let it go!
Step 1: Deschooling
Deschooling is essential because homeschooling isn’t school at home. It’s so much MORE than that.
But if you’re stuck in a school mindset, you’ll never achieve the full benefits of homeschooling.
Don’t limit yourself to school at home.
Lay the foundation for your crazily successful, productive, and effective homeschool with this mini-course, Deschooling Essentials.
You’ll learn how to deschool with lots of deschooling ideas and tips and build a strong foundation for your homeschool. This course mini-course has 9 parts, including a workbook, activities, and videos.
Click here to check out Deschooling Essentials
Please do yourself a favor and deschool first. Find out what that looks like for a working mom here: Hope & Help for Successful Deschooling as a Working Mom
Step 2: Educating The Homeschool Mom Courses
After deschooling, the next step is educating yourself. Here are a few of my favorite resources for new homeschoolers.
Homeschool Styles
Trying to figure out the best homeschool style for your own family can be rough!
I highly recommend checking out this FREE Homeschool Styles Masterclass.
Kelly covers the main points of the 8 most popular homeschooling styles.
And discusses what an eclectic home education looks like – How you can use multiple styles to create an interesting, varied, and effective education for your child!
Step 3: Educate Yourself With Homeschooling Books
Confession: I am not a big “homeschool book” reader.
I love books. I love to sink into a good story with a cup of coffee and just get lost in the world of words. However, there are very few if any, books about homeschooling that made me want to keep turning the pages and pull an all-nighter.
But there are a few.
Before I share those with you, I wanted to share with you 4 great ways to save money on books.
4 Ways To Save Money On Books:
- Use Ebates to get cash back when shopping online (Read my step-by-step Ebates set it and forget it guide)
- Look for used copies on BetterWorldBooks.com
- Don’t forget you can use Amazon com Free Kindle App (Amazon ca Free Kindle App) to read your Kindle book even if you don’t have a Kindle.
The Well-Trained Mind: A Guide to Classical Education at Home
This is one of the first “Homeschooling Books” I ever bought.
I love it because it makes it easy to find out what is available to see if I am on the right track and covers from pre-school to high school.
When I started homeschooling, I had a lot of questions. What was I going to teach? How was I going to teach it? What did I need?
What I really wanted was a list that was easy to read and understand that said, “do this, step by step”.
Now I know better, although I am sure those books and lists exist, they won’t always work.
Why? Because each child, homeschool, and each situation is unique. Your “why” is your own. What works for me may not work for you.
However, this book is my absolute favorite. I found it using the internet, borrowed it from my library and then bought it! I wish I owned it from the beginning.
I bought this one, but there is now a newer version available which has been extensively updated and revised, as you can see here:
My Kitchen, My Classroom: An Introduction to Homeschool by Jennifer Bly
I love Jennifer’s planner I use it all the time. I was thrilled while browsing her store to find a book that is perfect for new homeschoolers.
This book, entitled My Kitchen, My Classroom: An Introduction to Homeschool, is designed to help new homeschoolers to overcome fears, doubts, or questions we might have about the process.
I love that Jennifer wrote this book to fill a need she had when she started homeschooling.
My favorite part is when she breaks down Homeschool Styles and Methods (chapter 3, page 19) because I jumped into doing school at home and wish I hadn’t.
If you don’t do anything else, check out that chapter so you can see there really is a style for everyone.
You can get the ebook from Jennifer’s store itself right here. Remember her prices are in Canadian Dollars.
Or Amazon in both Kindle and Paperback.
As I mentioned I love and use her paper planner all the time. You can read about that here: Why I Love This Paper Planner.
The Homeschool Highway: How to Navigate Your Way Without Getting Carsick by Amy Dingmann
Have you ever read a book and felt the author just “got you”? I don’t mean you are reading and nodding your head, but you really got all of you.
I love this book so much I wrote a complete review and video, you can check it out here.
The thing is, sometimes we need a reminder that different is okay.
This book is written by a fellow homeschool mom. If you ever felt alone or unsure in this homeschool adventure this book is for you.
One of my favorite chapters is Chapter 8, Riding Shotgun: How Homeschooling Affects Your Other Half.
I really loved it all, but this chapter is one I refer moms to all the time because many are pretty much alone in making the decision for homeschool, teaching, and choosing curriculum, and we forget to consider how dad might be feeling.
Oh, and did I mention she shares what other dads have to say about homeschooling? Yes, be sure to check that out.
You can get it here on Amazon.
There you have my personal list of resources I have read and used for new homeschoolers.
Resources For New Homeschooling Moms From Homeschooling Moms ♥
As I said, I am not into reading a ton of “How to homeschool” type books. Therefore, I asked other homeschoolers what their favorite resources for new homeschoolers were so you would have a more complete list of choices. All of these books are highly recommended. Be sure to add them to your wish list.
10 Homeschool Books For New Homeschooling Moms
1. Charlotte Mason Homeschooling in 18 Easy Lessons
I shared Charlotte Mason Homeschooling in 18 Easy Lessons by Cindy West in my group.
A few moms mentioned it is the ONE book they love for brand new homeschoolers because it leads them step-by-step through implementing Charlotte Mason’s methods in your home, homeschool and life. Check it out here!
2. Homeschool Solutions with Pam Barnhill
3. Educating the Wholehearted Child
Educating the WholeHearted childhood goes beyond the what of homeschooling and tells you how to do it. From how to approach your children from a parent and educator perspective and how to make your home a place where learning is just what happens naturally.
4. A Charlotte Mason Education
This book comes highly recommended. In A Charlotte Mason Education, Catherine Levison has collected the key points of Charlotte Mason’s methods and presents them in a simple, straightforward way. Includes weekly schedules, a challenging and diverse curriculum will be inspire and educate your child.
5. Teaching from Rest: A Homeschooler’s Guide to Unshakable Peace by Sarah Mackenzie
In this practical, faith-based, and inspirational book, Sarah Mackenzie addresses the stress, worry, and anxiety of new homeschooling moms.
6. For the Children’s Sake: Foundations of Education for Home and School By Susan Schaeffer Macaulay
Designed to help parents use learning experiences in all aspects of life.
“For the Children’s Sake is a book about what education can be, based on a Christian understanding of what it means to be human-to be a child, a parent, a teacher-and on the Christian meaning of life.”-Amazon
7. The Read-Aloud Family: Making Meaningful and Lasting Connections with Your Kids Sarah Mackenzie
Moms love this book. So many have said it has changed their homeschool for the better!
As parents, we know how hard it can be to connect with our kids. This book includes age-appropriate book lists you need to start a read-aloud movement in your own home, along with detailed practical strategies to make reading aloud meaningful to your family.
8. Homeschooling 31 Day Boot Camp for New Homeschoolers: When You Don’t Know Where to Begin
When you don’t know where to begin Homeschooling 31 Day Boot Camp for New Homeschoolers equips you to successfully homeschool your children.
Written by a friend of mine, she shares over her years of personal experience plus the years of mentoring others.
Reading each chapter’s highlights will give you encouragement, knowledge, guidance, and peace of mind to homeschool with confidence. The best part is that you’ll be educating the person who loves your kids the most in this world–YOU!
9. Busy Homeschool Mom’s Guide to Daylight Managing Your Days Through the Homeschool Years
Written by Heidi St John. Working moms love her book and podcast for encouragement.
” Juggling homeschooling and homemaking can be challenging-or so we’ve heard! Whether you’re struggling with managing your day, or simply looking for encouragement and fresh ideas for tackling your list of things to do, you will enjoy hearing from the heart of busy homeschool mom of seven, wife and author, Heidi St. John. ” – Amazon
Available in Kindle and paperback.
10. The Brave Learner: Finding Everyday Magic in Homeschool, Learning, and Life
Released in 2019 this book has quickly become a favorite among homeschooling moms.
Written by Julie Bogart as she helps parents ” how to make room for surprise, mystery, risk, and adventure in their family’s routine, so they can create an environment that naturally moves learning forward.” – Amazon
Available on both audiobook, kindle, and paperback.
As you can see, there are resources for every mom and much to consider. Use the filter above to make sure it fits your family and lifestyle- and GO! ♥
Which of the above is your favorite? I’d love to know!
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Hi, I’m Jen. I help working moms juggle their career and homeschool their kids by providing support, systems and tools. You are warmly invited to Join the Online Community Here!
