Dos and Don’ts Your First Year Homeschooling

Starting homeschooling can feel exciting and overwhelming at the same time. Many new homeschool parents wonder if they’re choosing the right curriculum, following the best approach, or doing enough to help their children succeed. With so much information available, it’s easy to feel unsure of where to begin.

The good news is that homeschooling doesn’t have to be perfect from day one. Every family finds its own rhythm over time, and much of what works best comes through experience, flexibility, and a willingness to learn along the way.

If you’re just getting started, these simple do’s and don’ts can help you avoid some common pitfalls, ease those first-year jitters, and give you the confidence to enjoy the journey.

Enter for a chance to win a $200 homeschool curriculum gift card at the end of this post!

Do: Research different homeschool methods.

When I started out, I had no idea there were so many different approaches to homeschooling! It can be helpful to know what kinds of curriculum to use and how to schedule your year if you have a certain philosophy. Check out this quick guide to homeschool methods for a basic overview.

Don’t: Feel like you have to have your entire method figured out right now.

Unless they have a lot of background in homeschooling or education, many moms aren’t sure which method is best when they start. Most likely, you will develop your method as you figure out your family’s needs and learning style. I started out with more of a traditional approach (because that was my experience in public school), and now we are pretty firmly in the classical method.

Do: Connect with other homeschool families.

Being a part of a homeschool community has been a lifesaver for me! I’m on a local email list that exchanges tons of information including used curriculum for sale, co-ops, meet-ups, community events and more. I have made some great friends and we love to have playdates and swap ideas.

Don’t: Compete with other homeschool families.

The beauty of homeschooling is that each family is on its own unique journey. Do not fall into the trap of comparing your kids and your system to other families. Seek to learn from other families, but don’t make it a competition.

Do: Look into co-ops or meet-ups.

We didn’t find a co-op that we liked our first year homeschooling, and I felt a little lost. The second year, we joined a very organized co-op and we love it. It gives us the accountability, structure and community I felt like we were lacking.

Don’t: Feel like you have to meet with any particular group.

If you’re in a community with a lot of options, you might feel like you have to do it all or your kids will miss out. No. I recommend visiting a few groups and figuring out whether they will be a good fit. Maybe it will take some time to find the right one (it did for us!).

Do: Try out various curriculums.

It took me a while to figure out our style and which programs I wanted to use. Finding used curriculum at garage sales and through the local homeschool community’s email list was very helpful because then I didn’t feel as bad if I decided that it wasn’t for us. We could try it and, if we didn’t like it, we put it away. Just recently, in fact, I decluttered all of our books in the house—and it was okay to get rid of the homeschool books that just weren’t for us.

Don’t: Spend lots and lots of money on kindergarten curriculum.

Since I felt clueless about what I was doing, it was very tempting to want to buy a big box set and then just have everything I needed. Don’t get me wrong; for some families this is a great fit. But if you’re not sure, I suggest that you hold off. I actually ended up buying a used boxed set, and to my surprise we hated the rigidity of it—as well as the learning style. Good thing I didn’t drop hundreds of dollars on the new set, only to be locked into a program I didn’t like for a whole year! My advice, if you’re just starting out, is to relax, have fun and just remember: it’s kindergarten! They don’t need to be masters of much of anything yet.

Do: Establish a schedule that works for your family.

When I say “schedule” I use that term very loosely. But even if you lean towards “unschooling,” it’s still very helpful to have certain rhythms that your kids can expect throughout the day.

A simple homeschool planning system can make a huge difference, especially when you’re just getting started. Having a place to map out your goals, organize your curriculum, and keep track of your plans can help you stay focused without feeling like every minute of your day has to be scheduled. That’s exactly why I created my free Homeschool Planning Pages. They’re designed to give you the structure you need while leaving plenty of room for flexibility, so you can create a homeschool routine that works for your unique family instead of trying to fit into someone else’s.

Don’t: Overschedule.

It can be tempting to want to do all the things. The best advice about starting kindergarten I heard from a veteran homeschool mom was, “Stay at home, have fun and play!” Young kids really don’t need more than an hour or two of instruction a day. Enjoy this time while you can!

Do: Pray. Then pray some more.

I may be stating the obvious, but don’t forget this crucial step to a great homeschool year! Pray continually about your kids and you the direction of your family’s homeschool.

Don’t: Give up.

If you’re like us, you’ll have days when both you and the kids will look out the window and wonder if it would just be easier for them to hop onto that yellow school bus. That’s normal; don’t freak out! Stick with it, take a break, try something new. You’ve got this!

Aspiring homeschoolers: what other fears and questions do you have? Veteran homeschoolers, what other advice would you offer? Let’s share the wisdom. 🙂Save

GIVEAWAY TIME!

It’s almost time for another homeschool year, and that means many of us are making curriculum decisions, planning lessons, and preparing for everything a new school year brings.

Whether you’re homeschooling one child or several, curriculum costs can add up quickly. That’s why a group of homeschool bloggers has come together once again for our 13th Annual Back to Homeschool Giveaway!

This year, three homeschool families will each win a $200 gift card to the homeschool curriculum company of their choice. Whether your family uses The Good & the Beautiful, Gather Round, Notgrass, My Father’s World, Rainbow Resource, or another favorite publisher, you get to decide where to use your prize.

The giveaway runs July 15 through July 24, so be sure to enter before it closes.

Simply complete the entries in the SweepWidget form below. Every participating blogger has helped make this giveaway possible, and each completed entry gives you another opportunity to win.

We hope this giveaway is a blessing to your family and helps make your homeschool year a little more affordable.

Giveaway ends July 24, 2026, at 11:59 PM ET. Three winners will each receive a $200 gift card to the homeschool curriculum company of their choice. Winners will be selected and notified by email shortly after the giveaway ends and will have 48 hours to claim their prize.

By entering this giveaway, you agree to be added to the email lists of the participating homeschool bloggers. Please review the official Terms & Conditions before entering.

**Can’t see the form below? Find the form through THIS LINK!!**

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