20 Things I Learned My First Year as a New Homeschool Mom
20 Things I Learned My First Year as a New Homeschool Mom
Hey friend!
So, you’re either deep in your first year of homeschooling as a new homeschool mom or you're side-eyeing the idea, wondering, “Can I really do this?” Either way—pull up a chair, grab that half-drunk cup of coffee, and let’s get into it!
I’m reflecting on my first year homeschooling, and let me tell you—it was a wild ride. There were highs, lows, some mom guilt, tears (some mine), and more Amazon orders than I care to admit.
But I made it. We made it. And now, I want to share 20 real-deal things I learned that might just help you, too.
5 Things I Wish I Knew Before Homeschooling
Insert dramatic sigh here. If only someone had told me this sooner!
1. I wouldn’t figure it all out at once.
I thought I’d have this neat system by Week 2. Nope. It took time, trial, error, and a few breakdowns. And that’s normal.
2. Homeschooling isn’t cheap.
Yes, it can be affordable, but wow, do those resources, printers, and “must-have” manipulatives add up. Budgeting for homeschool was a learning curve all on its own.
3. It takes time to understand your teaching style.
I mimicked what I saw online or remembered from school. Eventually, I found my flow—and it was way more chill, fun, and less textbook-heavy.
4. It takes time to understand how your child learns.
Turns out, my son is a visual, hands-on learner. And sitting still for hours? Not his thing. Once I figured that out, everything started clicking.
5. You don’t have to follow a Monday–Friday schedule.
Mind. Blown. Some weeks we “school” Monday to Thursday—others we take random Wednesdays off. Flexibility is one of the biggest gifts of homeschool life.
5 Mistakes I Made as a New Homeschool Mom
Let’s get these out of the way first, because whew—these humbled me.
1. Not having a yearly overview.
I dove in without mapping out the big picture—holidays, breaks, field trips, sick days. Big mistake. Having a flexible but clear overview would’ve saved me from mid-year and monthly panic spirals.
2. Believing one curriculum would magically cover everything.
Spoiler: it didn’t. What looked great online didn’t always fit our learning style. I had to mix, match, supplement, and sometimes abandon part of the curriculum entirely. And that’s okay!
3. Not scheduling fun, intentional outings.
Library days, museum visits, and playdates? They’re not extras. They’re essential and part of what makes homeschooling so unique. This year, we were stuck in the house more than I’d like. Next year? We’re out and about like homeschool tourists.
4. Forgetting to track attendance.
Oh yes, Pennsylvania, I see you and your 180-day requirement. I scrambled to catch up on records and may have waited until my evaluation was needed to create one. Lesson learned: track from Day 1.
5. Thinking I could do this all on my own.
Supermom? More like super burnt out. I quickly learned that community is key. Having other moms to vent to, swap resources with, or just say “same here” is a must have. Thankfully, I found a great virtual one and on the hunt for an in person one.
5 Things I Got Right as a New Homeschool Mom
Yes, There Were Wins! Let’s give credit where credit’s due, shall we?
1. Focusing on areas my son needed help with.
We paused to work on his weak spots, like reading, and the progress? Chef’s kiss. Homeschooling let us slow down and dig deep, and it paid off.
2. Tweaking our curriculum as needed.
Once I gave myself permission to modify and supplement, everything felt more us. One size doesn’t fit all, and neither should the curriculum.
3. Doing daily and weekly reviews.
At the end of each day, we’d chat about what we learned and how it felt. Once a week, I’d do a quick mom-brain audit: What’s working? What’s not? Little tweaks made a big difference.
4. Using ChatGPT as my assistant (hey, that’s me!)
Need a last-minute science activity? Writing help? Motivation? I used AI tools to fill in gaps, brainstorm, and keep things fresh. It saved me from a LOT of late-night Pinterest scrolling.
5. Knowing when to step back and regroup.
Some days, we just needed a reset. And that’s okay. Homeschooling is a marathon, not a sprint. The freedom to stop and breathe was a gift.
5 Things I’m Doing Differently This Homeschool Year
Growth, baby. That’s the name of the game.
1. Using a more hands-on curriculum.
Science kits, art projects, cooking together—yes, please! This year, I want to do more doing and less yawning over worksheets.
2. Continuing with our 4-day school week.
Fridays will be for field trips, crafts, cooking, or just catching up. That rhythm worked beautifully for us and made burnout less likely.
3. Joining a homeschool community.
I need my people. My child needs friends. Aside from our virtual family, we’re joining a co-op or local group because homeschooling doesn’t mean isolation.
4. Leaning into tech.
We’re continuing with fun apps, educational YouTube videos, and online programs. If it helps him learn and keeps him engaged, it’s a win.
5. Scheduling regular library and museum days.
They’re now on the calendar, not just “maybe if we get to it.” These outings fuel curiosity and keep us inspired, and remind me of one of the main reasons we decided to homeschool in the first place.
Final Thoughts from Your Homeschool Mom Friend
If you’re starting out—or feeling unsure about your first year—let me say this: you’ve got this. It won’t be perfect, and it doesn’t need to be. You’ll cry, laugh, second-guess yourself, and then look at your child and realize you’re doing something special.
So give yourself grace. Breathe. Celebrate the small wins. Learn from the flops. And know there’s a whole community of resilient, adaptable, slightly sleep-deprived homeschool moms cheering you on (myself included).
With love (and coffee),
Your fellow homeschool mom 💛
