Let me guess—you’re equal parts excited and absolutely terrified.
You’ve made the bold decision to homeschool…
You’ve probably Googled way too many things…
And you’re wondering, “Okay, now what?”
Friend, take a deep breath. You don’t have to figure it all out today.
This blog post is your permission slip to start small—with a clear, gentle, and doable plan for your very first month of homeschooling. I created this for the mom who’s doing it scared. For the one who pulled her kids from public school, printed withdrawal letters, and is now staring at a blank slate wondering what the next 30 days should look like.
Let’s make it simple. Let’s make it meaningful. Let’s walk it out together—one week at a time.
📅 Week 1: Get Legal + Set Your Foundation
This week is all about logistics and laying the groundwork. Not lesson plans. Not trying to “school at home.” Just the basics.
- Check your state’s homeschool laws. Head to HSLDA.org for a state-by-state breakdown. Every place is different—some require reporting, others don’t.
- Submit a withdrawal letter if your kids are coming out of public/private school.
- Set up a simple homeschool binder or folder. This is for your peace of mind, not Pinterest. It’s where you’ll track attendance, notes, samples, or whatever your state requires.
- Pick a daily anchor routine. In our home, it’s breakfast + morning time (think read-alouds, journaling, or devotionals).
- Make it fun! Let your kids decorate binders or choose a new pencil case. Celebrate your first week as a homeschooling family. This is a big moment—mark it with joy, not stress.
🌟 Week 2: Explore + Sample
Now that the logistics are in place, it’s time to dip your toes into actual learning—but keep it light and flexible.
- Try 2–3 free curriculum samples. Most publishers offer these. You’re not committing, just exploring.
- Visit the library. Let your kids pick out books that spark their curiosity.
- Start light lessons. Think reading, math, and one fun subject like a messy science experiment or art project.
- Join a few groups. Look for local co-ops or Facebook groups where you can ask questions and meet other families.
- Take your first “school day field trip.” The zoo, a nature trail, a museum—it all counts. Your kids will remember the adventure, not the workbook page.
🧩 Week 3: Create Your Rhythm
This week is about finding what works for your family. Think of it like trying on routines until one fits.
- Test out a weekly schedule. Will you follow a traditional 5-day week? A 3-day rhythm? Year-round with breaks?
- Experiment with learning blocks. Morning vs. afternoon. Short bursts vs. long stretches. Watch when your kids focus best.
- Add in social time. Library story hours, church groups, or even a playdate at the park with another homeschool family.
- Use a simple progress tracker. Note the wins and the wobbly spots. You’re learning just as much as your kids are!
- Keep lessons short. Seriously. 20–30 minutes per subject is plenty at this stage. Don’t overfill your plate—or theirs.
🔄 Week 4: Reflect + Adjust
The final week is all about checking in and course-correcting. Homeschooling is fluid, not fixed.
- Ask yourself what worked (and what didn’t). Jot it down. Be honest.
- Decide what’s worth keeping. Did a certain resource light your kids up? Did a certain subject need more time?
- Reorganize your homeschool space. It doesn’t need to be pretty—just functional.
- Talk to your kids. Ask what they loved this month. Their answers might surprise you.
- Be flexible. That’s the secret sauce. You can tweak things next month. You can shift. You can grow. That’s the beauty of homeschooling.
📝 Pro Tips from One Homeschool Mom to Another
- You don’t have to “do it all” from day one. You’re building, not cramming.
- Connection before correction. When the relationship is strong, the learning flows.
- Consistency > perfection. It’s not about the perfect curriculum—it’s about showing up with love and intention.
You’ve got this, mama. The fact that you’re reading this tells me your heart is in the right place. Keep going. Keep learning. Keep leading with love.
💛 Ready to make your first 30 days easier?
Download the printable version of this Step-by-Step Homeschool Plan here:
👉 Get the Free Guide
Or save this post for later by pinning it to your homeschool planning board on Pinterest!
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