So You Think You're Called to Homeschool

Homeschooling mom Katie Fitzgerald shares how you might respond if you feel called to begin homeschooling your kids. 

The realization that God might be calling you to homeschool your children is an exciting moment, but it’s also often overwhelming, confusing, and maybe even a bit scary. If you have decided to follow that call and try homeschooling and you’re not sure what to do next, I have some ideas for you.   

You’re Already a Teacher! 

First, take a deep breath. All parents are called to be the primary educators of their children. No matter how old your kids are, they have been learning from you all their lives. You’re already a teacher!  Now you’ll just be adding in some academic subjects. The only things you really need to be an expert in are your family life and your children. Everything else you and your kids can learn together. Don’t listen to any little voices in the back of your mind trying to plant doubts. You can do this, and do it well.   

What To Teach 

The next thing to do is figure out what you’re going to use to teach the academic subjects required by your state. To find out what those subjects are, visit the website for either your local school district or your state education department, and look for a page dedicated to homeschooling. If you’re not sure where to find it, the Home School Legal Defense Association, a homeschool advocacy group, compiles this information on its website at HSLDA.org.  

Once you know what you need to teach, then you can start thinking about a curriculum. There are so many homeschooling philosophies and products available that it can be hard to know what is important and what might not be necessary. A great jumping-off point for learning what different programs include is this list from Jenny at Heart of a Mother.

I personally also found it helpful to read blog posts about how other families homeschool. Posts on Kendra Tierney’s blog, Catholic All Year, were a big help to me, as were random homeschooling posts I found by googling. Even if you don’t end up using any of the ideas you find on other moms’ blogs, reading them will give you a starting place for planning out what you want to do.  

Another resource I often recommend to new homeschoolers is a book, The Well-Trained Mind by Susan Wise Bauer. This resource is not Catholic, so some resources it recommends might not be a good fit, but the overall approach to each subject is a great crash course in homeschooling, regardless of the method you choose.   

Finding Community  

Another thing I suggest doing if you can is finding the local homeschool community in your area. For me, that meant joining an email list-serv. Other communities might have Facebook groups or similar virtual gathering spaces. There are also lots of homeschooling groups on Facebook that can stand in the gap for you if a local group does not exist.

The purpose of finding a community is not that you will conform your homeschool to anyone else’s mold, but rather that you will have like-minded mothers in your circle who understand the struggles unique to homeschooling and who can support you with prayer, assistance, and wisdom gained from their own experiences.  

Trust in God 

Most importantly, put your trust in God. Homeschooling can be done well in many different ways, and the right way for your family will become clear with experience, patience and prayer. Don’t let your fears and anxieties stand in the way of what can be a very beautiful experience for you and your kids. And remember, no decision is forever. You can try homeschooling, and if it turns out not to be right for you, the school system will still be there if you decide you need to use it.

May God bless your homeschooling journey!  

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Copyright 2025 Katie Fitzgerald
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