Dear First Year Homeschool Mom

The journey into homeschooling was overwhelming. My first year as a homeschool mother I was so unsure of myself. I purposed to take note of what worked and what didn't so that I could share it with other mothers. At the end of my first year, I compiled the list below. They are the words of advice I would have shared with myself. Today, as we are completing our second year, these words still ring true.

- Find a homeschooling mother whose parenting practices you admire and pick her brain.
Find out what her routine is and what works for her homeschooling family. Perhaps even curriculum ideas and especially good read aloud books.

- Think only about the grade you'll be teaching and the one directly after that.
For me it was kindergarten and first grade. Anything beyond that and I was quickly overwhelmed. But it was also helpful to know what to expect we would be covering in first grade so that I didn't try to do too much in kindergarten.

- Spend as much time creating activities for younger siblings as you do on choosing curriculum for students.
Keeping my babies occupied while doing school with Marin was a learning curve, but busy bag activities were so helpful.

- Homeschooling is like any other new stage of parenting.
It's just a matter of finding the groove.

- Read "A homeschool day in the life of" blog posts on Simple Homeschool.
This helped me to find families and scenarios that were similar to my own and gain philosophies and ideas that I could try out. Finding other work-from-home mothers was invaluable.

- Attend a homeschool convention to look for others just like you.
It's good to know you're not alone.

- Schedule based on what's best for your family. Not based on pressure from others.

- Borrow books.
I purchased most of the supplemental reading books for history and looking back I could have borrowed so many of them. Borrowing lets you know what books are worth buying for your personal education library.

- Trust your gut.
You've taught them everything they know so far. It's a natural process.

- You are imperfect and there will be moments you struggle with feelings of failure.
Call on God. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10.

Blessings on your journey!