I was asking this question 4 years ago, so I'm writing the post I wish I'd had. 🥰A little background: Our family began officially homeschooling when our oldest son was entering kindergarten. I wasn't homeschooled and only knew a few homeschooling families, so I had a lot of questions (and trepidation) about choosing a curriculum.Here's what I've learned along the way:+ An open-and-go, boxed curriculum can be very helpful for your first year. We used Sonlight (with no regrets!) and I have many friends who love My Father's World. You go to their website, select your child's grade level, and order the materials. All you need for the year - the instructor's guide, books, and supplies - arrives at your doorstep. You're ready to homeschool! This helped me feel confident that yes, I was doing enough, and had advisors ready to help me if I needed it.+ A trusted homeschool mama in your community is an invaluable resource. If there's a homeschooling mom in your church whom you admire, ask her all your questions. How did she get started? What curriculum would she choose (or stay away from) if she could do it all again?+ Start simple, as it will take a while to find your rhythm. For example, all that a kindergartener *really needs* is a reading/phonics program, a math program, and (for Christian families) a morning Bible/devotional time. If that's all you do for your child's kindergarten year, great! You can add history, handwriting, science, and other electives as you grow more confident.+ Remember that you may not land on your favorite curriculum or educational philosophy your first year. And that's ok! If you're interested in finding your homeschool style, I've linked a helpful quiz in my profile.+ After you've narrowed it down to a handful of curriculums you're interested in, I love Cathy Duffy's review site (cathyduffyreviews.com). Her reviews are straightforward and very helpful.

Unschooling ideas for the 2023-2024 school year: resources and collaborative plans for grades 8, 6, 4, 1 and Pre-K.

Check out this list of encouraging homeschool quotes to get you through your tough days. Keep this post handy and you will always have inspiration at your

Is homeschooling driving you crazy? Here are six ways you're making homeschooling harder than it needs to be.

Come take a tour of our homeschool room! Homeschool rooms should change ever so often, to meet the needs of the children. Our play/school room has changed quite a bit over the years, and today I'm sharing what our set up looks like now, as well as a few tips on how to create a […]

fun and simple ways to learn all about herbalism in your homeschool.

I made these homeschool rhythm cards just for you! Last year I made these homeschool rhythm cards for our boys so that they knew what to expect every day as we homeschooled. When I shared them in my Instagram stories, so many of you messaged me and asked if I could make them available on...

At first, the idea of adding life skills to your homeschool curriculum might seem like a silly idea. If you’re anything like me you’re thinking, “Well, it’s life. We do a lot of that here so…we’re good.” But, the truth is, my kids could use some more life skills and something more structured to focus …

Want to take your kid's knowledge to the next level in your homeschool? 16 old-fashioned or vintage skills to boost your homeschool experience.

Just over 3 years ago, I was 4-5 months pregnant with my very welcomed but highly surprising 4th child. At that time, my 3rd was still shy of his FIRST birthday, and I had a daughter going into junior high and one struggling greatly due to dyslexia and dyscalculia . As a new school year loomed lar

How to use the Julia Rothman books for science using our notebook companions for Nature Anatomy, Farm Anatomy, Food Anatomy, and Ocean Anatomy.

Strewing is an amazing way to inspire your child’s natural curiosity. Did you know you may already be doing this unschoolish habit? It’s a practice that can provide amazing learning opportunities regardless of your homeschool method. Plus, it’s easy! So, I’ve put together 100 strewing ideas for your homeschool! This post may contain affiliate links. […]

Many new homeschoolers are concerned if they are spending enough or too much time doing school in homeschool. How should we be scheduling homeschool?

Do you ever wake up and simply not want to homeschool? I know I do. I wake up and want to toss my lesson plans in the air. I want a change of pace. Yet I don’t want to neglect my children’s education. Instead I compromise and choose one of these ten educational days when I don’t want to homeschool.

We love Julia Rothman’s book series. Her anatomy books make a fantastic addition to your homeschool library as resources your children will love not only for their amazing illustrations, but also the detailed descriptions. If you’re not sure quite how to make these books work in your lessons, you’re going to be really excited about...

Welcome to our Montessori Homeschool Room Tour! See a homeschool setup for toddler, preschool & elementary - a Montessori prepared environment

Quick tips for homeschool scheduling, including a sample homeschool schedule and resources for those diving into homeschool in the wake of COVID-19.

Homeschool quotes are both funny and encouraging. These quotes about homeschool will make you think and (laugh) about homeschooling and homeschooling issues

Survival Skills are a great way to get kids off the couch and into nature. Learning basic survival skills builds confidence, fosters a love for nature, and encourages an adventurous spirit. Keep reading to learn how we plan to include Survival School in our homeschool this year! Interest-led curriculum Normally,…

connecting homeschoolers through social media

Of everything that has happened to me as a parent, perhaps nothing has surprised me more than the fact that we ended up relaxed homeschoolers. Homeschooling was always on my radar. Relaxed homeschooling was not. I have a teaching degree. I was in a specialized program that focused on creating effective learning curriculum. How is

Homeschooling families tell you what is unschooling and why it's the best way for children to learn.

"Every day, every hour, the parents are either passively or actively forming those habits in their children upon which, more than upon anything else, future character and conduct depend."-Charlotte MasonWelcome to my favorite little corner of our homeschool room! I am in love with every tiny detail of this spot. Shout out to Hobby Lobby for always having the cutest cork boards and wall decor! I always display the Letter of the Week and our Art of the Week here. It's also where I display our da

What makes successful homeschoolers? It all starts with habits and discovering what is best for you and your kids. These habits are...

I've made a list of 100 field trip ideas for homeschoolers to provide inspiration and help you plan your homeschooling. Don't miss the free printable at the end!

Quarantine homeschool is a new reality right now for us. Having a quarantine homeschool schedule, rules and printable pack is saving my sanity right now.

Lifestyle blog about motherhood, marriage, recipes, style and the beauty of everyday life sharing all about my homeschooling day

There are many reasons why I homeschool. After 18 years and 6 kids, some of the reasons to homeschool have changed--there are benefits I never imagined.

Check out this list of encouraging homeschool quotes to get you through your tough days. Keep this post handy and you will always have inspiration at your

HOMESCHOOL ROOM ESSENTIALS: HOW TO SET UP YOUR HOME SCHOOL LEARNING SPACE Whether this is your first year homeschooling or you need virtual school must haves, homeschool room essentials and homeschooling items can help set you up for school at home success!

Freedom Homeschooling lists free homeschool art curriculum for all grades. Art tutorials, art appreciation, and more!

Fantastic Kindergarten Homeschool Curriculum choices, tips and resources. Can you homeschool kindergarten without curriculum?

Hey fellow unschooling families! As we eagerly prepare for another enriching year of child-led learning, I can’t help but feel a rush of excitement and curiosity for the journey ahead. Unschooling …

History of Earth for Kids: The Montessori Second Great Lesson. Interdisciplinary. Story of Life, Clock of Eras, Earth, Water, Botany, & more.

Need a break from curriculum? Why not try some unit studies? We've complied over 170 unit study ideas to inspire the next adventure in your homeschool or classroom.

100 Activities to do with your kids - that are Free!

Having a bad day? View these funny, encouraging, inspirational, and positive homeschooling quotes for some much-needed reassurance and encouragement.

This literature based unit study goes along with the book The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by CS Lewis and includes everything you need to learn.

I hope you enjoy these free workshops! You can access my free printable products here. To make sure you don't miss future freebies be sure to sign up for my homeschool newsletter. To access a workshop click on the image below. Enjoy!

1. "There's No Place Like Home" (Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz) 2. Freedom(s): Freedom of Religion, Freedom of Class Schedule, Freedom of What's Taught and What's Not, etc. There are no due dates, there are no rigid tests, there are no pop quizzes; there is no sliding grade scale, there's no daily homework!

This Montessori Inspired Homeschool Plan for Preschool is a loosely formed outline of the lessons we hope to cover in 2016-2017.

Not sure where to start with planning field trips? I’ll walk you through prepping for field trips starting with step one: how to find some field trip ideas!