Like many parents, when I first considered homeschooling my child while juggling a full-time job and having no prior experience in education, I questioned whether it was even possible to provide a solid learning foundation from home.

Thankfully, homeschooling is on the rise, which means there are so many resources, tips, and educational videos from other homeschooling mamas that make it feel possible.

So, I decided to roll up my sleeves and figure this ish out! I know that I will do whatever it takes not to fail my son. Here’s my journey into homeschooling, the challenges, and how I’ve learned to make it work—so far!

Here’s what I will talk about in this blog

My Main Three Reasons To Homeschool
Homeschooling with No Prior Educational Experience
Homeschool Laws
Homeschooling While Having a Full-Time Job
Homeschooling Curriculums
Advantages vs. Disadvantages of Homeschooling

My Why

There are so many reasons I decided to homeschool my kindergartner and honestly, it’s been a topic of discussion in my home for some time. As a 9 to 5 working mom, my son has attended childcare since he was 3 months old.

I know it's terrible but most moms only get 3 months of maternity leave, which means we have to go back to work. During COVID, he was home with me for a couple of months, and having him return to childcare was the hardest decision I made as a mother.

Since then, he attended an amazing educational learning academy for the next four years. Although they were amazing and my son learned so much, I wasn’t thrilled with the idea of him attending public school, and here’s why.

Safety - His child care was great, it was small and the staff were always in communication with me daily. I knew it would not be this way in school. Based on my own experience working in education, as staff not a teacher, I know that it’s almost impossible for a teacher to be attentive to all the children. This didn’t sit well with me.
Education - Let’s be honest the education system is not what it used to be and the kids all get taught the same curriculum no matter how fast or slow they comprehend what's being taught. My son is smart, he's a numbers kid, and he can add in his head by age 4 but his reading needs work. I knew if I homeschooled him, I could structure his education to fit his needs.
Innocence - This is probably the biggest reason for my decision. My son is such a loving, nurturing, friendly, and understanding kid. He sees good in everyone and I didn’t want his surroundings to affect his heart or innocence. Children should be protected. They have a light within them and I feel that it’s my job as his parent to protect and nurture that light for as long as I can.

As parents, we have to make hard decisions, decisions that have an impact on our children, and no matter what the decision is, I’m sure we are all doing the best we can. So to the parents, homeschooling, planning on homeschooling, private schooling, or public schooling, I see you!

Homeschooling with No Prior Educational Experience

So how the heck can I do this with no educational experience. How could I possibly homeschool my child when I wasn’t trained as a teacher? This thought would come to mind constantly and I even debated on whether or not I should hire a private tutor, but who has money for that, not me.

But here’s what I discovered: You don’t need to be an expert, you don’t need a background in education, but you do need to be teachable. I’m a regular mom with no prior teaching experience, so I did a lot of research.

I knew I needed guidance and thankfully, Homeschool curriculums are designed to be user-friendly, even for those without any experience in education.

Additionally, I found online resources, communities, and tools that helped me navigate through teaching. There are countless homeschooling blogs (like this one), YouTube channels, and forums where you can find advice, lesson plans, and encouragement from other parents in the same boat.

Here’s one TikToker who was a previous school teacher and now homeschools her children.

What About Homeschool Laws?

Thankfully, this is where my staff experience in education helped me, I knew the exact paperwork I needed to complete to have him homeschooled. One thing I didn’t realize was how each school district, regardless of being in the same state, works differently.

I had to enroll my child in my school district of residence and then complete the homeschooling paperwork separately. Thankfully, I had all the required documentation I needed to process the enrollment, such as birth certificate, proof of residency, and medical documents.

Some states make the process relatively easy, while others are far more strict. New York, Pennsylvania (Which is the state I live in), and Massachusetts, for example, have rigorous requirements that include standardized tests and detailed record-keeping.

Each state has different rules, so if you’re considering homeschooling, it’s crucial to research what’s expected of you. You can find state-specific information on the Homeschool Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) website. I highly recommend calling your home school district, as they may require additional documentation that is not listed by the state.

Homeschooling While Having a Full-Time Job?

This is one of the trickiest parts of my decision—how to homeschool while working a full-time job. At first, I really considered leaving my job and putting all of my focus on homeschooling my son, but in this economy, let's be serious.

Then I thought I had to be a superwoman to make it work, but over time, I found systems that made it more manageable. After a couple of meltdowns, trial and error, I learned the following:

Work From Home: If possible, I highly recommend finding a job that allows you to work from home. In today’s world, this is 100% possible, you can find jobs making a good income working for Amazon, FedEx, Telemarketing, LabCorp, etc. Find a job that works best for your family and needs.
Flexible Scheduling: One of the advantages of homeschooling is flexibility. You don’t have to follow a traditional 9-3, Monday - Friday school day. I’ve designed our schedule when I am least busy at work, doing lessons early in the morning only 3-4 hours a day. It might not look like a “normal” school day, but it works for us.
Online Curriculums: I found that incorporating online extracurricular programs made a world of difference. Many curriculums are self-paced, meaning my child could work on lessons while I focused on my job. I’d check in during breaks or after work. I use Hooked on Phonics, ABC mouse, and educational YouTube videos to supplement.
Support System: Leaning on a support system can be beneficial. Whether it’s a spouse, family member, or babysitter, having someone available to help during busy work hours can make homeschooling feasible. I live in a different state from my family, so It’s just me and my son, while my son's father works most of the day. Although I may not have a lot of family nearby, I have friends that I can lean on when I’m not homeschooling to keep my sanity.

Homeschooling Curriculums

When I first began homeschooling, choosing the right curriculum felt overwhelming. There are so many options, and I wasn’t sure what would suit my child’s learning style.

However, I found that you don’t need to be a curriculum expert to get started because some curriculums come with a trail period or sample booklets.

Some of the most popular homeschooling curriculums include:

Abeka: Known for its Christian-based curriculum, this option covers a wide range of subjects from preschool to high school. It’s considered a Rolls Royce of homeschooling Curriculum.
Mia Academy: Designed to cater to different learning styles, Mia Academy allows students to learn at their own pace
Khan Academy: A free option that offers courses in math, science, and other subjects, especially for older children.

I considered Abeka but I decided to go with a curriculum that was affordable and checked all of my boxes. That curriculum is Christian Light, stay tuned for the blog where I discuss the curriculum and additional resources I use to homeschool my Kindergartener.

Here’s everything I purchased to homeschool my kindergartner.

Advantages vs. Disadvantages of Homeschooling?

Let’s start with the disadvantages, as much as I’ve embraced homeschooling, it isn’t without its drawbacks. One of the biggest disadvantages is the sheer amount of responsibility that falls on your shoulders. Homeschooling requires planning, patience, and dedication. You are not just a parent but also a teacher, planner, and administrator.

Another downside I’ve experienced is the social aspect, we are always home for the most part. Which keeps him from socializing with other people. In homeschooling, you have to seek out social opportunities for your child.

Whether through local homeschool groups, extracurricular activities, or online programs, you need to be proactive in ensuring your child has social interaction with peers. Which can be both good and challenging.

For me, the advantages outweigh the disadvantages, and here’s why? I love the flexibility of homeschooling my son, providing him with a curriculum that fits his needs, using his interests to play a part in his learning experience, and allowing him to discover his strengths.

I can incorporate practical life skills and hands-on experiences into the curriculum, such as field trips, volunteering, cooking or creative projects, offering a more holistic education.

The years go by so fast, I finally get to spend quality time with my son, seeing him grow up, being there to answer all his questions, and seeing him grow into his own person.

It’s a beautiful experience that I will cherish for the rest of my life. There is no one else I would want to be there to capture those moments, than me, his mama.

Conclusion: My Homeschooling Journey

In the end, homeschooling my child while managing a full-time job and having no experience has been both a rewarding and challenging experience. It has required more organization and patience than I ever anticipated, but seeing my child thrive makes it all worth it.

If you’re considering homeschooling, remember that it’s okay not to have everything figured out at the beginning. With the right resources, flexible scheduling, and a supportive network, it’s possible to homeschool—even if you have a full-time job and no prior experience.

Homeschooling isn’t for everyone, but for parents like me who want to be part of my child’s education, it has been the right choice. And if you're feeling overwhelmed, just take it one step at a time—after all, that’s what homeschooling is all about.

This is why I created The Modern Homeschooling Mama Newsletter, a free resource that provides you with tips, organizational hack and finds to make homeschooling simple and possible!

Starting My Homeschooling Journey with No Prior Teaching Experience