Because of all that has happened in the last 6 months, some parents are looking ahead to the fall and making changes to how they educate their kids.

While some parents are opting out of sending their kids to school and taking advantage of virtual learning options through their schools, other parents are choosing to start homeschooling. If you’re just now making this decision, it may feel overwhelming to get things in order before the fall. I wanted to share some helpful resources if you’ve decided to start homeschooling.

The flexibility of homeschooling is one of the best parts about it, so if you start a few weeks later than the kids going to regular school, it’s no big deal.

How to Start Homeschooling

While there are so many options when it comes to homeschooling, there are a few things you definitely need to do first.

Find out the laws in your state regarding homeschooling

The Homeschooling Legal Defense Association maintains a website where you can quickly see what kinds of things are required in your state. For example, some states require certain kinds of testing, while other states vary in guidelines for who is allowed to homeschool your kids. 

You may need to complete the process of withdrawing your child from public school if they are already attending, so make sure you research that if it applies.

In some states, there are groups that offer accountability options. You may not be required to join one of these organizations, but it might be helpful if this is your first year as they can help guide you through the unfamiliar parts of how to start homeschooling your child(ren).

Look for homeschool co-ops and/or organizations and extracurriculars

Even if you don’t decide to join a homeschool accountability group, there are homeschool co-ops and organizations that provide opportunities for group activities, extracurriculars, and joint learning. Homeschool Classifieds or The Homeschool Mom are a great place to start.

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