Thinking of homeschooling? Great!
Not sure how to start? Welcome to the club.

Most of us, at one time, found ourselves in the same position.

Learn about H4RL's homeschooling resources

You can do this!

Relax!  It’s going to be fine.  You’ve been teaching your children since they were born!  You just need some friends to come alongside you to offer encouragement and suggestions, share experiences, and answer questions as you enter this new phase of teaching and parenting.  Just take it step by step, and we’ll help you get started!

Just take the first step

First, realize that you are beginning a journey.  Start slowly, and expect many changes along the way.  Try some things out and see what works.  There are many ways to homeschool and endless variations.  Your homeschool won’t look exactly like anyone else’s.  Be flexible, give grace to your kids and yourself, and do what’s best for your family.  Ask for help when you need it.

Get a free guide: ``How to Homeschool``

"The qualities needed? Love for your children, delight in watching them grow, a desire to spend lots of time with them, a willingness to search for an answer and to say 'I don't know,' the willingness to learn alongside them, even things that you might not have pursued without their good example."

Carol B., Florida - quoted by Mary Griffith in The Unschooling Handbook

You don't need to be an expert

Remember, you don’t have to be a homeschooling expert with all subjects taught perfectly on the first day.  Sometimes it helps to begin with just one subject, and gradually add more learning to your schedule.  Expect that some of what you try may not work.  It might be the wrong timing, or it might be wrong for your family.  That’s one reason why you may not want to invest too much into curriculum too soon!  If your family is coming from public school, you may even want to take a little time off to relax, get used to spending more time together, and adjust to the lack of outside control over family life and learning.  This is called “deschooling.”

Get the help you need!

Finally, consider joining Homeschool 4 Real Life (h4RL.com).  Follow us on Facebook or subscribe on YouTube to get to know us better and find some great resources.  Visit our “Getting Started” page for all sorts of tools and resources for those new to homeschooling.  Once you join, you can ask your questions in the forums to get advice from other homeschoolers and visit the “Teaching & Parenting” page to view videos with tips and strategies for introducing concepts, extending understanding, and raising children with wisdom and joy!

We chose to homeschool to promote family closeness, to foster creativity and independent thinking, to allow the boys to learn in their own way at their own speed. We chose to homeschool so that the boys would ask their own questions, with the freedom to pursue their own individual interests. And finally, we chose to homeschool because we wanted to be nearby as they explored and investigated their world, watching, loving, and learning with them. Simply being there, available to share in your children's revelations and discoveries - what one parent calls the 'Eureka!' moments of learning - is a priceless advantage in homeschooling.

Rebecca Rupp, Getting Started on Home Learning

Start Homeschooling with Confidence!