Top 5 Resources for New Homeschoolers

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Have you found yourself considering homeschooling for the first time? Maybe you’ve planned to homeschool, but don’t know where to start. There’s curriculum to choose, schedules to make, co-ops to consider, methods to learn about and the list goes on. It’s enough to make your head spin. But don’t be overwhelmed, my friend. You can do this! 

 I’m going to share with you homeschooling’s top resources for beginner homeschoolers. These are the tried and true, popular, often-recommended-amongst-homeschoolers resources. This list didn’t come from a quick google search. It comes from sitting at the feet of seasoned homeschool moms since I made my decision to homeschool several years ago. 

Homeschool Bravely: How to Squash Doubt, Trust God, and Teach Your Child with Confidence

BAM!👆 Need I say more? Ok I will. This book, while fairly new is quickly becoming a go-to for new homeschoolers and seasoned homeschoolers alike (we ALL face doubts and fears of some sort while rearing our kids!) I was gifted this book by a friend and dubbed it as my new nursing book. Eh-eh. Wasn’t going work. I quickly realized I couldn’t read this while nursing the baby because I was going to need my highlighter. Then I realized what’s the point in highlighting if I’m going to highlight the whole dang book?! It’s that good. (If you’ve been homeschooling for some time, this is the book to add to your wish list for when the “Februaries” hit. If you want to know what I mean by that, just google, “February in homeschooling.” It’s real.)

The Confident Homeschooler: How to Thrive in the Day-to-Day

When my oldest son was a toddler I became friends with a homeschooling mom through a ladies’ Bible study. She confided in me her homeschooling frustrations (I think it was probably February!) and I, having considered homeschooling in the future, had just downloaded this book as it was a current free kindle deal. I had no homeschooling knowledge whatsoever, but mentioned this book to her. After reading it she no longer considered quitting homeschooling. I decided to read it myself, if it was so impactful. I went from considering homeschooling to deciding to homeschool. It’s just a 22-page kindle book that you could easily read in one or two sittings, but it is packed full of basic tips for a smooth running homeschool that makes it worth the $2.99. 

Educating the Whole-Hearted Child 

When my son was preschool-age I went to a curriculum sale in town. I was hoping to find some discounted books and learning materials for the future. What I found was this little gem. I gently pried the worn and highlighted book from the white knuckles of the older homeschool mom I was buying it from. And while she sadly relinquished the book that had stood beside her on her homeschooling journey she conveyed her happiness that it had found another mom at the start of her journey. Just last night the question of “How can we help these new homeschool moms?” came up over dessert with friends. Recommending this book was the consensus.

Plan Your Year

This course by author, speaker, podcast host, and homeschooling mom, Pam Barnhill will provide you with a step-by-step, easy-to-follow method to create a customized, unique-to-your-family homeschool plan. Although more costly than the above resources, the forms and methods provided will be useful year after year as you create a homeschool you love and that is actually doable. It may even save you money by helping you hone your vision for your homeschool, in turn leading to less money wasted on curriculum that’s the wrong fit for your family. Formerly called, Put Your Homeschool Year on Autopilot, this course will walk you through creating a homeschool plan that you can stick to even when life tries to get in the way.

Homebound, Free Online Conference

This conference was created to help the suddenly-at-home-schoolers created by the COVID-19 pandemic. Originally a live conference on Zoom, the replays are still available. And although it’s a new resource, it’s hosts, Julie Bogart and Susan Wise Bauer are forerunners and leaders in the homeschool movement. You are in good hands learning from their expertise and the top-notch, esteemed speakers they chose to share with you. View the schedule, pick out a topic, and begin listening today!

Are you a seasoned homeschool mom? Do you have a homeschool resource that was particularly helpful to you? Is there a resource that you WISH you had found before you began homeschooling? Please share in the comments! Let’s help these new homeschooling mamas out!