You did it.

You walked into that school. You signed the papers. You pulled your child out.

And now you're sitting in your car, or maybe at your kitchen table, staring at your child and thinking... "What did I just do? What happens NOW?"

Your heart is racing. Your mind is spinning. Everyone's voice is in your head , your mother, your neighbor, that random woman from Facebook, all telling you that you've made a huge mistake.

But here's what I need you to hear first:

You're not crazy. You made a brave decision. And I'm going to walk you through exactly what to do next.

I've been homeschooling for 18 years. I've helped hundreds of moms navigate this exact moment. And I promise you, what feels like chaos right now can become the most beautiful chapter of your family's life. But first, let's get you grounded.

Step 1: Breathe. Seriously.

Before you buy a single curriculum. Before you Pinterest a single lesson plan. Before you spiral into "am I ruining my child" panic mode...

Stop. Breathe. Give yourself 24-48 hours to just BE.

You just made a major life decision. Your nervous system is activated. Your child's nervous system is activated. Nothing productive happens from this place. So here's your first assignment:

Do nothing academic for at least a few days.

Let your child rest. Let yourself rest. Watch movies together. Go for a walk. Make pancakes at 2pm. Let the pressure release. This isn't wasted time. This is necessary time.

You cannot build something new from a place of panic. You build from a place of clarity. And clarity requires calm first.

Step 2: Understand Your State's Requirements

Every state has different homeschool laws. Some states require almost nothing. Some states require more documentation.

Before you do anything else, you need to know what YOUR state requires.

Here's what to look for:

  • Do you need to file a notice of intent to homeschool?

  • Are there required subjects you must teach?

  • Do you need to keep attendance records or portfolios?

  • Are there any testing or evaluation requirements?

  • What are the deadlines for filing paperwork?

Where to find this information:

  • HSLDA (Home School Legal Defense Association) hslda.org has a state-by-state breakdown

  • Your state's Department of Education website

  • Local homeschool co-ops or groups, they know the local requirements inside and out. Don't skip this step. Get legal first, then get creative.

Step 3: Deschool Before You Homeschool

This is the step most new homeschool moms skip , and it's the most important one.

Deschooling is the process of decompressing from the traditional school system before jumping into homeschooling.

Your child just spent years in a system that told them:

  • Learning only happens at a desk

  • You need permission to use the bathroom

  • Your worth is measured by grades and test scores

  • Sitting still for 6 hours is normal

That's a lot to unlearn. For them AND for you.

The general rule: One month of deschooling for every year your child was in school.

So if your child was in school for 5 years, give yourself about 5 months of decompression before expecting "normal" homeschool days.

What does deschooling look like?

  • Following your child's interests and curiosity

  • Reading for fun, not assignments

  • Playing outside without a schedule

  • Asking questions and exploring answers together

  • Letting go of the idea that learning looks like school

This feels uncomfortable at first. You'll feel like you're "not doing enough." That's normal. Push through it. Deschooling heals the damage. Homeschooling builds something new.

Step 4: Get Clear on YOUR Why

Before you pick a curriculum. Before you design a schedule. Before you do ANYTHING else...

You need to know WHY you pulled your child out.

Not the surface reason. The REAL reason.

Was it:

  • Academic struggles the school wasn't addressing?

  • Bullying or social issues?

  • Your child's mental health declining?

  • A gut feeling that something was deeply wrong?

  • Wanting more time together as a family?

  • Values misalignment with what was being taught?

  • A desire to break generational patterns in how children are educated?

Write it down.

Because when the hard days come and they will you need to remember WHY you made this choice. Your why becomes your anchor when everyone else questions your decision.

Step 5: Don't Buy Curriculum Yet

I know you want to DO something. You want to feel like you have a plan.

But here's what happens when you buy curriculum too soon:

  • You spend hundreds of dollars on something that doesn't fit your child

  • You try to recreate school at home (and everyone hates it)

  • You burn out within 3 months and think homeschooling doesn't work

The truth? Curriculum is the LAST decision, not the first.

First, you need to understand:

  • How does your child actually learn best?

  • What does your daily life and capacity look like?

  • What are your non-negotiables vs. nice-to-haves?

  • What's your budget?

  • What are your child's interests and strengths?

Spend the first few weeks observing. Take notes. Watch how your child engages with the world when no one is telling them what to do. THEN choose curriculum based on what you've learned not based on what worked for someone else's family.

Step 6: Find Your Community

This is the step that changes everything.

You cannot do this alone. You were never meant to.

The moms who thrive in homeschooling have one thing in common: They found their people.

You need:

  • Moms who've been where you are and can answer your real questions

  • A judgment-free space to vent, ask, and learn

  • Women who understand the fear AND the freedom of this choice

  • Someone who can talk you off the ledge on hard days

That's exactly why I built the Homeschool Mom Baddie community.

18 years of experience. Real support. Real solutions. No judgment.

You don't have to figure this out alone. You just have to find the right room to walk into.

👉 Join us here:

Step 7: Start Simple

When you're ready to begin and only when YOU feel ready start simple.

Your first week of homeschool does not need to look like a classroom.

Here's a simple daily rhythm to start:

Morning Time (30-60 minutes)

  • Read aloud together

  • Talk about what you read

  • Maybe add a poem, a song, or a devotional if that fits your family

Core Skills (30-60 minutes)

  • Math just 15-30 minutes of practice

  • Reading/Writing journaling, copywork, or reading independently

Exploration (as long as they want)

  • Follow their curiosity

  • Nature walks, documentaries, building projects, art, cooking

  • This is where the magic happens

That's it.

You can build from here. But you don't need to start with a 6-hour school day. You need to start with connection, consistency, and confidence.

Step 8: Give Yourself Grace

You will have hard days. Days where nothing goes right. Days where your child cries. Days where YOU cry. That doesn't mean you made the wrong choice.

It means you're doing something hard. And hard things have hard moments.

What you need to remember:

  • Progress is not linear

  • Comparison is a thief stop looking at other homeschool families

  • Your child is not behind ,they're exactly where they need to be

  • You are not ruining your child ,you're showing up for them

  • Rest is productive you don't have to earn it

You are already a good mom. Homeschooling doesn't change that. It reveals it.

Let's Recap: Your First Steps After Pulling Your Child Out

  1. Breathe — Take a few days to decompress before doing anything

  2. Know your state's laws — Get legal requirements handled first

  3. Deschool — Let your child (and yourself) heal from the system

  4. Get clear on your why — Write it down and anchor yourself to it

  5. Wait on curriculum — Observe your child first, buy later

  6. Find community — You cannot do this alone

  7. Start simple — Connection before curriculum

  8. Give yourself grace — Hard days don't mean wrong decisions

You're Not Alone Anymore

You made a brave decision. You trusted your gut. You chose your child over the system.

That's not crazy. That's powerful. And now you don't have to figure out the rest alone.

I've been homeschooling for 18 years. I've walked this road. I've helped hundreds of moms just like you find their footing and build something beautiful.

If you need support, real answers, and a community that gets it we're here for you.

👉 Join the Homeschool Mom Baddie Community here

👉 Work with me 1:1, book your session here

👉 Follow me on TikTok for daily encouragement: @homeschoolmombaddie

You've got this, until next time, stay committed to being the best version of yourself!

With Love,

Tia

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