No matter how long you’ve been homeschooling, it’s always nice to come across a few back to homeschool tips and resources. In this post, I’ve got several you didn’t know you needed! Be sure to read to the end. There’s a roundup of tips, resources, and freebies from a few of my homeschool blogger friends.
How to Start a New Homeschool Year Successfully
Before we get to those amazing tips from my friends, I want to share a few practical ways you can start a new homeschool year successfully. Now I must warn you… these aren’t textbook and Pinterest-pretty. Instead, they are real, raw, and what everyone is thinking (but won’t say).
Lower your expectations.
If we’re honest, it’s easy to set expectations that look and sound good. Thing is, they aren’t always the best for our family dynamic. For example, when I first started homeschooling, I found myself comparing my homeschool space to a lot of others’. And it would never be a space even remotely close to the size of my home at the time. It would always be these elaborate, $2000 Ikea-sponsored, mega-space homes. Talk about expectations!
That same example can used across the board. Whether it’s the type of curriculum you choose to use, whether you opt out of being in the local homeschool group, or the academic achievement expectations you place on your children. At the end of the day, it’s okay to lower your expectations for you and your children.
Make realistic plans.
This could go hand-in-hand with expectations; however, I wanted to dedicate a special place this tip. In our minds, we can come up with some of the best homeschool plans. We can imagine visiting ABC places and using XYZ curriculum. We’re even good with planning how our children should learn.
I don’t want to burst your bubble, but if you want to have a successful year, plan realistically. This means planning from a place that truly accommodates your family’s unique family dynamic. Things will look much differently for a family with two children versus a family with five children.
You’ll also want to always plan with your children’s actual developmental level in mind. If your 1st grader isn’t reading yet, there’s no need to plan as though they are reading. No need to plan to push them to read quicker. Instead, make plans that foster growth for both your family and your children individually.
Forget the first day.
This idea actually comes from my book Just for Today’s Homeschooling Mom. Here’s a snippet from that chapter that I think 100% applies year after homeschooling year:
“First days are not the real indicators of how the rest of your homeschool year will go. If we allow it to do that, we can end up with a defeated mindset as soon as something goes wrong. A defeated mindset will resist change, neglect to see things differently, and end up burnt out before ever seeing the real blessings of homeschooling.”
13 Back to Homeschool Tips and Resources You Didn’t Know You Needed
I’ve teamed up with some of my fellow homeschool bloggers to bring you some fantastic Back to School themed stuff. You’ll find everything you need to start the new homeschool year off right! Be sure to check them all out below!
My Personal Tip
If you’re homeschooling a high schooler, then you need to read these best tips for helping THEM plan a successful homeschool year!
Tips From My Homeschool Blogger Friends
I love simple, free traditions that make events (like a first day back to school) feel like a celebration. It’s easy to add a special treat to your shopping list, and it hardly takes any time, but these 10 Ways to Celebrate Back-To-Homeschool from Orison Orchards will pay huge dividends in the form of excitement and anticipation.
It’s not too late to fix spelling gaps in high school. Check out the benefits of doing spelling remediation over at Our Crazy Adventures In Autismland plus learn how to easily adapt it into your schedule.
Find out 5 things you can do to create an environment of family-style homeschooling with multiple ages of children for more relaxed, customized learning over at Whole Child Homeschool.
For some students (and moms) the struggle to make homeschool friends is real. Here are 5 Tips to Make Homeschool Friends from Ten Minute Momentum. Use the Free “Power of Our Words” Mini Bible Unit Study to talk about the best way to talk to people…whether they are our friends or not!
More Great Tips!
Simple Living Mama shares some great ideas to help make the first day back to homeschool lots of fun and memorable for your kids!
Did you start your new homeschool year yet or are you savoring those last few weeks of summer? No matter your yearly schedule, everyone does a school year reset at some point. So here are 5 tips for getting ready for a new homeschool year from Homeschool with Moxie.
If you’re ready for a fresh start in your homeschool this year, consider these 8 important things to help you focus and start strong from Heart and Soul Homeschooling.
Summer is rapidly coming to a close and that can mean just one thing – it’s nearly time for back to homeschool! Between all the planning and preparation it can be easy to forget the fun, so today Hope In The Chaos is sharing 25 fun & exciting ideas for your first day back to homeschool!
As you embark on this journey of cultivating critical thinking through the Bible using the method of Biblical Excavations, remember that the ultimate goal is not just to gain knowledge but to grow in faith and wisdom.
Summertime Themed Freebies, Activities, & Resources
A new school year can be exciting, but it can also be a little stressful. Start your homeschool year off right with this Back to School Scripture Memory pack from In All You Do.
Back-to-homeschool is a fun-filled time that can get a little chaotic. ..but with a good plan, and these freebies, steals, and deals, from Homeschool On the Range you’ll be ready to Smoothly Transition Back to Homeschool!
First day of school photos are fun. Sometimes when you homeschool year-round, the first day sometimes blends into other days, and you don’t get those cute photos taken. These (NOT) Back to School Photo prop printables from Homeschool Helper Online will save the day.
Final Thoughts on Back to Homeschool Tips and Resources
When starting any new homeschool year, keep these awesome tips in mind. In fact, go ahead and bookmark this page, save the pins to your favorite Pinterest board, and implement them as you see fit. What’s your best new homeschool year tip? Let me know in the comments below!
Psst… Are you homeschool a teen?
Looking for homeschooling curriculum specifically for your teen(s)? I’m participating in the first ever Homeschooling Teens Curriculum Fair and this is your special invite! Join me and over 20 other homeschool curriculum vendors for a one-month-only sale! This sale is catered to helping you easily locate and purchase the exact curriculum to fit your unique homeschooling needs. Join the HTCF Facebook Group today and you’ll gain entry August 6th. Sales – plus a fun kickoff welcome party – starts August 7th! Don’t delay as doors close September 1st and will not open again until the winter!