Why We’re Going to Be Just Fine (Even if We Don’t Feel Ready)
School supplies are showing up in stores.
Class lists are being made.
And for the first time ever, my kids won’t be on one.
This is our first official year homeschooling.
I’m nervous. I’m excited. I’m Googling everything.
And at the same time—I know in my gut that this is right for us.
If you’re new to homeschooling too, I just want to say:
You’re not behind. You’re just beginning.
Here are the reminders I’m holding onto when the doubt creeps in… and the reasons I believe we’re going to be more than okay:
📝 10 Reasons We’re Going to Be Okay as New Homeschoolers:
1. You Already Know Your Kids Better Than Anyone
You’ve been there for the big moments and the in-between ones. You know their quirks, their meltdowns, their passions, and their fears. You don’t need a curriculum company or a school board to tell you how your child learns best—you already know. You’ve watched them build forts with more focus than a college student. You’ve seen the way they light up when they’re curious and shut down when they’re overwhelmed. That’s not just parenting—that’s insight. That’s wisdom. And it’s powerful.
Homeschooling doesn’t start with a schedule. It starts with a relationship. The beauty of learning at home is that you get to design an experience that works with your kids, not against them. You can follow their interests, honor their pace, and shift things when life shifts—because life will shift. You’re not a robot. Neither are they. And that’s the magic. Education can finally feel like an extension of your real life—not an interruption to it.
So if you’re doubting yourself right now, let this be your reminder: You are not behind. You are not unqualified. You are not ruining your child. You are showing up. You are noticing things no one else would. You are offering them the freedom to grow in a way that actually fits who they are. That matters. That counts. That’s enough.
2. There Is No “Behind”—There’s Only Growth
The world loves to hand out timelines. By 5, they should read. By 6, they should write in paragraphs. By 7, they should sit still and multiply. But what the world forgets is that kids aren’t machines—they’re gardens. And gardens don’t all bloom on the same day. Just because something hasn’t blossomed yet doesn’t mean it’s not growing beneath the surface. Your child isn’t behind. They’re becoming. And that process is sacred.
When we drop the pressure to “catch up,” we make space for actual learning. Real, rooted, meaningful learning. The kind that sticks because it comes with safety, not shame. The kind that’s measured in connection, not comparison. The truth is, growth looks different for every child—and honestly? It looks different for every season of life. And that’s okay. Some years will feel productive. Others will feel like survival. But even in the slow seasons, growth is still happening—emotionally, spiritually, relationally. That all counts.
So no, you’re not failing. You’re not off track. You’re raising humans, not checking boxes. And every step forward—no matter how small—is still forward. You’re not “behind” because you took a day off to grieve. You’re not “behind” because your child needed more time. You’re right on time for your life, and so are they. Let go of the clock, and look for the fruit. It’s there. Quietly, faithfully, growing.
3. Curriculum Can Be Changed—Your Presence Can’t Be Replaced
You can switch the workbook. You can toss the science book that made your kid cry. You can trade the flashcards for a nature walk or the lesson plan for a day in the kitchen. Curriculum is a tool—not a chain. And the truth is, some of the most powerful learning moments happen when you step away from the script and lean into life. Because what your kids need more than a perfect plan is a present, responsive parent. That’s the real foundation.
Your presence is the glue. It’s what makes the learning safe, the mistakes recoverable, the process actually enjoyable. It’s not the fancy program or the color-coded binder that’s going to anchor your child—it’s the way you sit beside them. The way you notice when they’re overwhelmed. The way you slow down when something finally clicks. You are not just delivering information—you are shaping how they feel about learning. And that impact lasts far longer than any curriculum ever will.
So if something isn’t working, change it. If it’s sucking the joy out of your home, release it. There is no one-size-fits-all answer in homeschooling—but there is one truth you can count on: your presence is the most powerful educational tool in the room. It doesn’t come with a price tag or a lesson plan. It comes with love. It comes with patience. And it comes with the kind of steady, nurturing influence that no boxed curriculum could ever replace.
4. You’re Allowed to Learn Alongside Them
Somewhere along the way, we were sold the lie that we have to know it all before we’re allowed to teach it. That we need certifications or degrees or a step-by-step master plan to be worthy of leading our children through their education. But here’s the truth: you don’t need to know everything—you just need to show up. You’re allowed to be a student, too. In fact, it’s one of the greatest gifts you can give your kids: a front-row seat to what lifelong learning actually looks like.
Let them see you google things. Let them watch you read something new and get excited—or confused. Let them hear you say, “I don’t know, but let’s find out together.” That moment? That’s powerful. That’s modeling curiosity, resilience, and humility. And in a world obsessed with being right and looking perfect, that kind of posture is revolutionary. When you embrace your role as a learner too, you create an environment where questions are welcomed, exploration is safe, and growth is a shared adventure—not a pressure-filled performance.
And honestly? Learning together builds connection. You’re not standing at a chalkboard barking instructions—you’re walking side by side, discovering together, growing together, healing together. That shared experience turns lessons into memories. It’s not about getting it all “right.” It’s about getting closer—to your kids, to yourself, and to the life you’re building together. You’re not behind. You’re not broken. You’re brave. And you’re allowed to learn, unlearn, and become right alongside the little humans you’re raising.
5. School ≠ Sitting Still All Day
At what point did we confused stillness with success.? We started believing that real learning only happens at a desk, with a pencil in hand, and silence in the room. But you know what? That model wasn’t built with your child in mind. It was built for control—not connection. And let’s be real: the very things that make our kids come alive—their movement, energy, curiosity, and constant questions—were never meant to be confined to a chair.
Kids are wired to move. To explore. To test boundaries and touch everything. And guess what? That’s not a flaw—it’s a feature. Learning happens when they build forts, climb trees, flip couch cushions into obstacle courses, or ask 97 questions during a walk to the mailbox. Movement isn’t a distraction from learning—it’s often the gateway into it. Your child isn’t broken because they can’t sit still all day. The system is broken for asking them to.
So let them wiggle. Let them stand, bounce, snack, stretch, and sprawl on the floor with a book. Let school be something that flows with your family’s rhythm, not fights against it. Let lessons happen at the table, on the couch, in the yard, or in the car. Homeschooling gives you permission to reimagine what learning looks like—and spoiler alert: it doesn’t look like a classroom. It looks like life. And that life can be loud, beautiful, hands-on, and holy… even in motion.
6. The System Is Not Sacred
The traditional school system was built for order, not individuality. For conformity, not creativity. It was designed to produce predictable outcomes—not to nurture unique humans. And while there are absolutely beautiful teachers doing holy work inside those walls, the system itself? It wasn’t made with your child in mind. It wasn’t made for neurodivergent thinkers. It wasn’t made for kids who learn with their hands, or need time to process, or grow in seasons instead of checklists. And it definitely wasn’t made for moms who want their kids to know who they are—not just what they’re told.
So if you’ve chosen to walk a different path—or if you’re thinking about it—know this: you are not rebelling. You are reclaiming. You are allowed to question a system that values test scores over mental health. You’re allowed to raise your hand and say, “This isn’t working for my family.” You don’t owe the world a copy-paste version of education. You owe your kids a chance to grow into who God made them to be. And that kind of growth doesn’t always happen in tidy rows and rigid timelines.
The system is not sacred. Your family is. Your peace is. Your child’s heart, mind, and future? Sacred. You are not less because you chose a different route. You’re bold. You’re brave. You’re building something custom in a world that worships standard. And that takes guts. Don’t underestimate how powerful that decision is. One family choosing differently can change everything for generations to come.
7. There’s More Than One “Right” Way
If you’ve been looking for the perfect routine, the best curriculum, the guaranteed method that works for every kid—you can stop. That unicorn doesn’t exist. And that’s actually really good news. Because the truth is, there isn’t one “right” way to homeschool. There’s your way. Your family’s rhythm. Your children’s needs. Your personal capacity. Your values. Your vision. And that right there? That’s the map.
One family might thrive with unit studies and morning baskets. Another might unschool in the garden and do math on the trampoline. One mom might love schedules. Another might wing it with a prayer and a protein bar. And guess what? They’re all valid. All worthy. All doing sacred work. What matters most isn’t how your homeschool looks from the outside. It’s whether it feels peaceful, purposeful, and aligned on the inside.
So stop measuring yourself against strangers on the internet. Stop chasing someone else’s version of “successful.” Your kids don’t need perfect. They need present. They don’t need fancy. They need faithful. The “right” way is the one that works for your family—and you’re allowed to change it as many times as you need to. This journey isn’t about proving anything. It’s about growing together. Your way. Your pace. Your story.
8. Homeschooling Gives Us Time to Heal What We Missed
For some of us, this isn’t just about education—it’s about redemption. It’s about creating what we wish we had. Because maybe you didn’t thrive in school. Maybe you were the kid who stared out the window, who couldn’t sit still, who got labeled as “too much” or “not enough.” Maybe you learned to be quiet. To mask. To survive. And maybe, just maybe, you never felt safe to be fully yourself in a classroom.
Homeschooling cracks that wide open. It invites you into a slower rhythm—one where the healing gets to happen in real time. Where you’re not just teaching your kids, you’re re-parenting your younger self. You get to sit beside your child as they sound out words and feel the sting of how hard it was for you. You get to comfort them in the moments you were once ignored. You get to pause, to play, to breathe… and realize that not everything has to hurt. That learning can be joyful. That connection can come first.
It’s okay if some days bring tears. It’s okay if teaching your child brings back memories of when no one taught you how. It’s okay if your homeschool table becomes a holy place of both learning and letting go. This is not just about reading and writing. This is about breaking patterns. About creating safety. About giving your child—and your own tender heart—what school never could. And that kind of healing? That’s the real curriculum.
9. Community Does Exist—You Just Have to Find It
Homeschooling can feel like a beautiful island… until it feels like isolation. When you first step away from the system, you don’t just lose the school routine—you lose the constant contact. The mom chats at pickup. The automatic structure of “belonging.” Suddenly, it’s just you and your kids and a kitchen table that feels a little too quiet. And while the freedom is amazing, the silence can be heavy.
And let’s be honest—most homeschool Facebook groups are so huge they feel like shouting into a void. You ask a vulnerable question and get 93 conflicting answers and no real connection. It’s noisy. Overwhelming. And rarely intimate. Sometimes, you need smaller. You need real voices, real faces, real understanding. You need a room where it’s safe to say, “This is hard,” without judgment. A circle, not a stage. A sisterhood, not a seminar.
That’s why I’m seriously considering creating a smaller support group—something for the mamas who want to raise their kids differently and feel seen while doing it. A space where we don’t compete. We connect. Where your questions don’t get lost and your voice doesn’t shrink. Because homeschooling was never meant to be done in a vacuum. You may feel alone right now—but your people are out there. And if you can’t find the right room, it might be because you’re being called to create it.
Since writing this post, I have created my own Facebook community! Join us here!
10. You Were Chosen for This
Not by accident. Not by coincidence. Not because you’re the only one who could “make it work.” You were chosen for this path, this child, this exact season—for a reason. There is something in you—your tenderness, your instincts, your grit, your fire—that was made for this assignment. You may not feel qualified. You may question yourself daily. You may cry behind bathroom doors and wonder if you’re screwing it all up. But the fact that you care so deeply? That’s the evidence. That’s the proof. That’s the holy spark of a mother walking in her calling.
You are not too late. Not too broken. Not too scattered. You are becoming—right alongside the children you’re raising. Every hard moment, every stretch of doubt, every whispered prayer that you’re getting it “right”—it all matters. It all counts. You are sowing seeds you may not see bloom for years, but they will bloom. Because love planted them. And love always grows.
So take a breath and remember: God didn’t mess up when He gave you this mission. He didn’t assign these kids to someone more prepared or more patient or more perfect. He chose you. And no one can replace what you bring to the table. You don’t have to do it like anyone else. You just have to keep showing up, keep gathering the grace, and keep believing that this sacred, messy work? It matters. You matter.
So if your Pinterest board is full but your confidence is shaky… I see you.
If you’re reading books, watching videos, and wondering if you’re cut out for this… same.
But the truth is, we don’t have to be perfect homeschool moms.
We just have to show up.
One day, one lesson, one child at a time.
And I’ll be right here walking it with you.
Are you homeschooling for the first time this year too? Drop a comment or share one thing you’re excited—or nervous—about. Let’s cheer each other on.
Feeling overwhelmed about where to start with homeschooling? 💛 That’s exactly why I created Your Homeschool Roadmap — everything you need in one place to begin with confidence. No more hopping from blog to blog, just a clear roadmap + ready-to-use tools.
👉 Click here to check it out!
Leave a comment