29/12/2025
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If you’ve been thinking about homeschooling, you can start now. Christmas break is a very popular time to begin.
But how do you start?
👉🏻 Check your state law for the process to withdraw from public school. You can start with HSLDA.org or look up your state homeschooling organization.
Follow that process. It’s usually a simple email or letter. A few states require more.
👉🏻 Use the break to make a plan. Start simply. Prepare for the core subjects that are required by your state. If your state has no such list, start with reading, writing, and math. Use an online curriculum if you’re nervous about teaching. Utilize this while you research more options.
👉🏻 Create a schedule that works for YOU. Ignore what the rest of the world does. 5 days/9 months or 3 days year round? School on Saturdays/off on Tuesdays? Evening lessons? The date and time don’t matter! Make it work for you.
👉🏻 Customize your homeschool. What is your WHY? What are the things you really want for your kids? Define this. Put it on paper. Dream. Brainstorm. Go crazy. Keep this handy. And then decide how and when to introduce these things.
👉🏻 Look up a homeschool convention or conference in your area in 2026. These will encourage and inspire you, and unlock a world of resources that will astound you.
👉🏻 Prepare yourself for bumps in the road. Kids will be kids. It’s not going to be all unicorns and rainbows. That’s okay. You’re parenting even more now. Pause the academics to address character and behavior. Don’t blame it on homeschooling, and don’t give up.
👉🏻 Find a local support group (or start one!). Get to know other parents who have been homeschooling for awhile. Build a network.
👉🏻 Don’t try to recreate a public school classroom at home. Make it comfortable, make it fun. Be a family, not a school. This is a whole new lifestyle. Enjoy!
For more: see my Homeschool 101 page here https://nickitruesdell.com/homeschool-101/
And check out my book Anyone Can Homeschool on Amazon, Audible, and Kindle https://amzn.to/4sc4uVH