Right about now, you might be freaking out with sweaty palms, parched lips, and whisperings of "NOW WHAT?" floating around in your head.
If I were sitting with you right now, with a tall dark-chocolate mocha at my side (Yes, it's my drink of choice. Somethin's got to keep my eyelids up.
If I were sitting with you right now, WITH or WITHOUT the dark-chocolate mocha, I'd give you a welcome-to-the-pack hug and remind you that homeschooling is a calling.
A high calling.
You were hand-picked to do this.
It is not by accident that YOUR children were placed in your loving care.
Nope. Not by accident.
God providentially chose you to be the mother...and first teacher...of your babies. You and your teaching will refine them...smooth out all the rough parts in their lives. And they yours.
(This post contains affiliate links. Please see my disclosure policy for full details.)
God, Himself, chose YOU to teach YOUR children. So, don't question His ability to choose wisely.
You can do this. For real. I talk all about that and more in my book, Homeschool Bravely. It's both a pep talk and a rallying cry for the fearful homeschool mom.
Homeschooling is an unconventional path, but certainly NOT an uncharted one.
In keeping with my "If I were sitting with you right now" musings, I've gathered together some of the best-kept secrets of those veteran mommas who have chiseled their own path already. I hold them high like a beacon to help you navigate your first few steps on the journey with unwavering resolve.
And here they are...
General Helpful Websites
The Quick-Start Guide to Brave Homeschool MethodsHomeschooling 101 Youtube Playlist
Homeschool Legal Defense Association- provides information about the homeschool laws in each state and connects readers with local homeschooling associations
5 Homeschool Blogs That You May Not Be Reading But Should Be
Donna Young Printables and Resources- lots of free printable organizational charts and checklists
Homeschooling 101 Pinterest Board
The Ultimate Guide for New Homeschoolers Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus
31 Days of New Bee Homeschooler Boot Camp Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus
Homeschooling State-by-State Link Up True Aim
Organization
10 Summertime Steps to School Time PrepHow I Start My Homeschool Day on the Right Foot
Creating an Annual Portfolio
Organization for the Homeschool Momma Starts With This
5 Practical Tips for When Planning for School Seems Overwhelming
Ultimate Free Homeschool Planning List Free Homeschool Deals
Choosing Curriculum
5 Tips to Consider for Choosing a CurriculumDelight-Directed Curriculum Planning Starts With This
How I Plan My Homeschool Curriculum Shopping List
Curriculum Choice- a website completely dedicated to curriculum reviews
Homeschool Reviews- another website with curriculum reviews
Where to Request Homeschool Catalogs Jimmie's Collage
The Ultimate Guide for Choosing Homeschool Curriculum The Curriculum Choice
Scheduling Your Day
The Quick-Start Guide to Brave Homeschool SchedulesWhy and How to Implement a 4-Day Homeschool Schedule
Implementing Task Cards
Cultivating a Self-Driven Day for a Middle Schooler
Our Homeschool Schedule
5 Simple Tips to Help You Schedule Your Homeschool Day Joy in the Journey
The Ultimate Guide to Homeschool Scheduling Real Life at Home
Homeschooling Multiple Ages
Homeschooling Children of Multiple Ages G+ HangoutHow Do You Homeschool with a Baby or Toddler?
Our Start the Day Together Basket
BIG Family Homeschooling Pinterest Board
5 Tips to Establishing Tot School Hip Homeschool Moms
Homeschool Planning for a Large Family Contented at Home
10 Days of Large Family Homeschooling Raising Arrows
Creating a Group Teaching Time that Will Rock Your Homeschool Homeschooling in Real Life
Making Cents of Homeschooling- Cheap & Free Resources
5 Tips for Finding Free {or almost free} Books for HomeschoolTop 5 Websites for Inexpensive Homeschool Curriculum
Top 10 Free Educational Computer Games
Free Homeschool Deals- a blog dedicated to sharing free or almost free homeschooling resources
Print-a-Palooza- a link up of dozens and dozens of free homeschooling and home keeping printables
Project Gutenberg- free eBook downloads
Over a Hundred Printable Pages Great Peace Academy
Homeschool For Free Only Passionate Curiosity
Setting Up Your Homeschool "Classroom"
Our Homeschool Places and SpacesTop 10 Must Have Items
Homeschool Spaces Pinterest Board
Not-Back-to-School Classrooms iHomeschool Network
Our Must Haves for Homeschool iHomeschool Network
50 Ideas for an Organized Homeschool Creekside Learning
Books Worth Reading
Homeschool Bravely: How to Squash Doubt, Trust God, and Teach Your Child with ConfidenceThe Ultimate Guide to Homeschooling
Honey for a Child's Heart
The Big Book of Homeschool Ideas
101 Top Picks for Homeschool Curriculum
For the Children's Sake
The Three R's
Starting on the Right Foot
Words of Truth for HomeschoolingFirst Day(s) of Homeschool {Traditions}
First and Last Day Pinterest Board
10 Little Things That Can Make or Break My Homeschool Day
10 Do's and Don'ts for the Newbie Homeschooler
What is De-schooling and Is it Important? Real Life at Home
Starting Homeschooling? 7 Things You Need...and 3 You Don't My Joy-Filled Life
5 Things to Ask Yourself Before You Start Homeschooling This Year Homeschooling in Real Life
Where Should Your Kids Go to School: 25 Questions to Consider The Chuppies- an excellent list of questions to consider if you are still undecided about schooling
Resources for Particular Methods
The Five Flavors of HomeschoolingThe Ultimate Guide to Homeschooling Methods Renee at Great Peace
Ambleside Online- Charlotte Mason
Simply Charlotte Mason- Charlotte Mason
A Charlotte Mason Home Companion
10 Reasons Why I Choose a Living Literature Approach- Charlotte Mason
A Thomas Jefferson Education Home Companion- Thomas Jefferson Education
Classical Conversations- Classical
The Well-Trained Mind- Classical
Living Montessori Now- Montessori
Waldorf Homeschoolers- Waldorf
Project-Based Homeschooling- Project Based Learning
Unschooling.com- Unschooling
50 Best Blogs in the Unschooling Movement- Unschooling
The Unschooling Handbook- Unschooling
The Master List of Unschooling Resources Weed 'em and Reap - Unschooling
Encouraging Thoughts from the Veterans
My Advice for the Newbie Homeschooler {or Burned out Veteran}10 Things I was Unlikely to Learn Without Homeschooling
I Can't Homeschool Because I'm Not Qualified to Teach Higher-Level Subjects
Help! I Have a Resistant Learner
24 Must Read Homeschooling Articles for Newbies Jimmie's Collage
10 Things Every New Homeschooler Needs to Know Real Life at Home
Some Days Are Like That: The Homeschool Edition Weird, Unsocialized Homeschoolers
12 Things Homeschool Moms Need to Remember Homeschool Diaries
Homeschool Momma: What You Need to Hear Today The Chaos and the Clutter
Establishing a Reading Culture
How to Begin Read Alouds with Your Young Learner50+ Great Read Alouds for Lower to Mid Elementary
What is a Living Book, Anyway?
Handwork Ideas for Read Aloud Time
Dear Homeschool Momma With a Struggling Reader
Choosing the Right Readers for Your Emergent Reader
Hidden Benefits of Reading Aloud to Your Kids
What Reading Time Looks Like in My Home
Ultimate Guide for Establishing a Reading Culture in Your Home Blog, She Wrote
Books...Books...and More Books for Kids! Pinterest Board
Wow Jamie! Thanks:)
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome. Hope it helps!
DeleteThank for your blog, Jamie. This is so great !
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love donnayoung.org but unfortunately, it is no longer free. You now need a paid membership. Well worth the price though.
ReplyDeleteThanks for letting me know! I appreciate it.
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