Hey, moms! As a mom of two, and homeschool teacher of three, I know that preparing for homeschool can be overwhelming. Especially if you’re doing it for more than one child! Just in 2023 I only had to homeschool a first grader and a kindergartner. Fast forward to 2025, I am homeschooling a preschooler, third grader, and first grader with a newborn on the way! From my years educating children, volunteering for tutoring at middle schools, and creating modules based on child needs and milestones, each prep session has ranged from good, bad, to ugly… SO, as I am prepping for labor and anxiety starts to creep back up, I had to share some very helpful tips for homeschooling moms starting out or starting over!
#1 Plan Ahead to Stay Ahead
My favorite saying is, “If you stay ready, you ain’t ever got to get ready” quoted by many actors, music artists, and entrepreneurs. And it is so true! Of course you cannot plan for every last thing but if you focus on your ideal daily and weekly routines, your ideal curriculum, and time period for learning, then you can set yourself up for success more than others! And remember, keep it simple! Everything you need to be successful is here, and the plan is completely customizable with some extra tips! We are educators who have been there and done that so you don’t have to do it alone.
#2 MAKE CONNECTIONS NOW
Even if you are on the fence right now and just doing research on homeschooling, you need to dive in or even lurk within the community. Research if there are any local homeschooling families in your area! If you are a homebody, no problem! You can get connected straight from your phone with Facebook Groups! Check out our Preschool Group focused on younger children and our Homeschool Group focusing on all ages!
So, why exactly should you be making connections now? If you are an introvert like me, sometimes it seems silly to join something you aren’t fully sure of yet. I get it! I had to learn that in doing so you:
- Find Knowledge and Help Quicker
- Gain access to the right resources faster – thus, saving money!
- Build connections with like-minded individuals (Some things we can’t always share with people who do not have our same vision)
- Get motivation and ideas for free!
- Alleviate anxiety and stress.
- Have a judge-free place to vent – because yes, it does get hard but the pros outweigh those little moments.
#3 Self-Care IS NOT A LUXURY, It’s a NECESSITY
Yes, mom. I said it. You need to make time with and for YOU. This is a tip that most failed homeschooling stories have overlooked or never received. “There wasn’t enough time for me” or “I felt like I was drowning and had to stop” are all valid, understandable reasons mother’s have stopped homeschooling. Social media makes it look easy! But the truth is proper planning for yourself and your child(ten) will lead to avoiding burnout and seasonal depression.
Now, self-care looks different for everyone: a good book and hot tea, or your daily skincare routine with a glass of wine. Even if you haven’t discovered it yet or you are in the process of rediscovering yourself, take time out of the day to do something for you. It really varies from mom to mom.
For instance, I have a successful entrepreneur friend that gets her mommy time towards the evening. She uses this time to unwind and work on business stuff! That’s what she enjoys!
For myself, I love waking up at 6am-7am to just have moments of silence, a cup of coffee or tea depending on the day, and take an hour to really focus on what my body and spirit needs. Then I take some time to write!
To avoid the bad and the ugly, make self-care a necessary routine in your life, stop thinking of it as a luxury you just can’t have because you have little ones. No ma’am, we are breaking that cursed mindset this year!
#4 IF YOU CAN…. D-E-L-E-G-A-T-E!
I know not everyone has a community they can go to for help. Some of us are single moms that literally have to do everything themselves, some of us are filled with a support system, and some are somewhere in between. So, this one is not a one-size-fits-all tip. However, it can be done by each one of us no matter the status.
It’s sometimes irritating and sometimes embarrassing but get help. Spread out your time, chores, meals, appointments, work, and businesses among trusted friends and family. If you are able to, hire help. Now, don’t look at me like this:
I know, we are super women and no one can do the job like we do it. Even super woman needed her other sisters, okay? We are creating resources, courses, and more to help homeschooling be as easy of a transition as possible for you, but there are some circumstances in life where we just need an olive branch in person, not online. SO, here are some tips for homeschooling moms about delegation:
- If your sibling or cousin could take time to make a meal for your family, then ask. Say they are the “lunch lady/man”!
- I can guarantee there is someone in your area that has discounted cleaning services. Check out Instagram, TaskRabbit, or GigSmart!
- If you have a good relationship with your mom, designated mom, or in law, then ask them to take your child to their doctor appointment. Or even oversee class while you take yours! Ask in advanced, though. No late-minute favors! That builds a negative relationship dynamic you do not need on this journey.
- Once you make connections with locals in your area, you can plan homeschool dates! (Formally known as co-op homeschooling in the community).
#5 Know What You’re Getting Into & How You Identify In This World
In the homeschooling world, of course! You need to know the difference between homeschooling, unschooling, and online schooling. Knowing this information will allow you to search for the right resources and SAVE MONEY!!! You will also build that sense of security with your decision.
Maybe you are too busy to sit down and homeschool or unschool, and online school is more ideal for you and your family. That is okay. You did not fail because you couldn’t do what the nice lady you saw on TikTok or Youtube do. Your family has options, every family is built different, and we do the best we can. And who knows? The situation you are in is temporary, maybe you want to wait until your child or children are a bit older and a little more independent. THAT IS OKAY MOM! Know what you are getting into and see where your current lifestyle fits in the world of homeschooling here.