Homeschooling Made Easy: 5 Steps Every New Mom Should Know
Are you wondering how to start homeschooling but feeling overwhelmed by all the information out there? You're not alone! Many parents, especially moms, are choosing to homeschool their children for the flexibility, personalized learning, and stronger family connections.
The good news is you can start homeschooling confidently and successfully by following these 5 simple steps:
Understand your state’s homeschool laws
Clarify your goals and your why
Choose the right homeschooling method
Find a curriculum that works for your family
Plan your homeschool year
Whether you're a complete beginner or just looking for a confidence boost, these tips will help you start strong and stay consistent.
This post may contain affiliate links
Step 1: Know Your State’s Homeschool Laws
Before you dive into lesson planning or curriculum shopping, research your state’s homeschool laws. Each state has different requirements for homeschooling families, such as notice of intent, record-keeping, and testing. Knowing the legal steps to start homeschooling ensures you’re compliant from day one.
You can find your state laws and regulations by going to HSLDA.org.
TIP: Even if it’s not a requirement, I strongly recommend creating a portfolio or scrapbook of your child’s school work. Not only can this be a fun activity, it’s also nice to see the progress they have made.
Here’s a great video from Katie from Life of the Mundane. This is where I got my inspiration to create ours.
Step 2: Define Your Homeschool Goals and Why
Starting with your “why” behind homeschooling will ground you through the highs and lows. Do you want a faith-based education? More time as a family? Customized learning for a special need? Write it down! When you have clarity on your goals, you’ll make more confident decisions about your homeschool approach.
Get your FREE guide “why” homeschooling maybe the best decision for your family.
Step 3: Choose the Right Homeschooling Method
There are five popular homeschooling styles: Charlotte Mason, Classical, Unit Studies, Unschooling, and Eclectic. Don’t get stuck in analysis paralysis! Here is a brief explanation of each style, their key features, and examples so you can choose the one that best fits your child’s learning style and your teaching strengths.
Charlotte Mason Method:
Developed by 19th-century educator Charlotte Mason, this method emphasizes living books, nature study, short lessons, and the formation of good habits. It encourages children to connect deeply with what they learn through narration and hands-on experiences.
Key Features:
Rich literature (living books, not textbooks)
Nature walks and journaling
Picture study, composer study
Short, focused lessons
Emphasis on character and habit training
Examples of Charlotte Mason Curriculum: Simply Charlotte Mason, Ambleside Online (free, literature-based schedule), A Gentle Feast
Classical Method
Rooted in ancient education, the Classical method is based on the Trivium: grammar, logic, and rhetoric stages of learning. It teaches children how to think critically and argue persuasively through memorization, analysis, and expression.
Key Features:
Structured and rigorous approach
Focus on Latin, logic, and classic literature
Memorization in early years, critical thinking in later years
Socratic discussion and debate
Examples of Classical Curriculum:
Classical Conversations (community-based)
Unit Studies Method
Unit studies integrate multiple subjects around one central theme or topic. For example, while studying oceans, you might read ocean-themed books (language arts), learn marine biology (science), and explore maps (geography).
Key Features:
Hands-on, project-based learning
Thematic, cross-subject integration
Great for teaching multiple ages at once
Ideal for creative, kinesthetic learners
Examples of Unit Study Curriculum: The Good and the Beautiful Unit Studies,
Earth Cake
This was one of my daughter’s favorite activities. When she was learning about the different landforms in the Earth Science Unit Study, we made this cake to enhance what she was learning.
More fun Earth Science Activities
Unschooling
Unschooling is a child-led, interest-driven approach where learning happens naturally through life experiences, curiosity, and play rather than structured lessons or curriculum.
Key Features:
No formal lessons or tests
Learning flows from the child’s interests
Encourages independence and self-direction
Often includes lots of real-world experiences
Examples of Unschooling in Action:
Learning math through cooking and budgeting
Reading based on a child’s favorite topic (e.g., dinosaurs)
Science through gardening or nature exploration
Eclectic Homeschooling
Eclectic homeschooling blends several styles and resources to create a customized learning experience based on a child’s needs and family preferences. It's one of the most flexible and popular approaches today.
Key Features:
Mix-and-match of curriculum styles
Tailored to each child's learning style
Freedom to adjust as needed
Often combines structure with creativity
Examples of Eclectic Use:
Using The Good and the Beautiful for language arts,
MasterBooks for science, and a Charlotte Mason nature journalIncorporating online learning platforms like Outschool or Khan Academy
TIP: We originally started with a strong focus on unit studies, which we absolutely loved. Especially since my daughter has a big interest in science and history. Over time, we felt drawn to the Charlotte Mason approach, and it’s been a wonderful fit for our family. So don’t be afraid to pivot or try something new if what you’re doing isn’t working. One of the greatest freedoms of homeschooling is being able to adjust to what works best for your child and your family.
Step 4: Pick a Curriculum That Works for You
Now that you have set your goals and the style of schooling, it’s time to choose a curriculum. Choosing a curriculum doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Start by identifying your child’s learning level and subjects. Many beginner homeschool curriculums are designed to guide new parents step-by-step. Don’t forget to factor in your budget, how hands-on you want to be, and whether you want a faith-based or secular program.
Our favorite Charlotte Mason curricula is: A Gentle Feast. We love this curriculum because it’s truly open-and-go. Yet still gives you the flexibility to customize your own schedule and book choices. Each cycle focuses on a specific time period, and your morning time, science, history, and language arts are all beautifully integrated to flow together.
Our favorite Unit Studies is: Gather Round Homeschool. We love Gather Round Homeschool because it’s perfect for families with multiple children of different ages. Everyone learns together through one main lesson, and then each child works through their own age-appropriate workbook that reinforces the topic. It keeps us connected as a family while meeting each child right where they are."
Tip: Try to be flexible. Don’t be married to your curriculum. It’s created to guide you and be a resource. If you start with it and you or your kids are struggling or not liking it, IT’S OKAY to try something else. Sometimes it takes a little trial and error to find what works or your family or each child.
No curricula needed!
You don’t need a formal curriculum to homeschool your child. All you need are books! Whether they’re from the library or your own shelves. Here’s a great resource to help you get started: Homeschool Your Child for Free.
Step 5: Planning Your Homeschool Year
Now that you’ve checked your state’s homeschool requirements and chosen your curriculum, it’s time to plan your school year! Here’s how I personally break it down to meet our state’s requirements and keep things simple. Our state requires 875 hours of instruction per year. We aim for 5 hours of school per day, which adds up to 175 school days annually. That breaks down to 35 weeks of school if you're doing a 5-day week.
Once you know how many weeks you need, you can plug in your start date, plan your holiday breaks, and pick your last day of school. This gives you a flexible but structured plan to confidently pace your year without feeling rushed or overwhelmed.
Now that you know how many weeks you'll be homeschooling, you can start breaking down your curriculum into manageable weekly lessons. Look at how many lessons or units are in each subject and divide them by the number of school weeks you’ve planned. This helps you create a realistic pace and ensures you finish your curriculum on time—without the end-of-year scramble!
You’re Ready to Start Homeschooling with Confidence
Homeschooling doesn’t have to be overwhelming, it just takes a little planning and a whole lot of heart. By understanding your state’s requirements, choosing a curriculum that fits your family, and mapping out your school year, you’ve laid a solid foundation for homeschool success. Whether you follow a Charlotte Mason approach, lean toward unit studies like Gather 'Round, or build your own eclectic blend, remember: you get to create an education that fits your family’s values, rhythm, and goals.
Take it one step at a time, give yourself grace, and know that confidence grows with consistency. You’ve got this, mama.
