Dear Worried Mom,
Dear Worried Mom,
I see you. Late at night reading and re-reading the teacher’s note. I see you. Sitting in the carpool lane praying that your child will have a smile on their face when they come out of school today. And I hear you asking yourself all day long: Should I take the leap and start to homeschool? What if I don’t know how to teach him? What if she is bored at home? What if it doesn’t work out?
Mom, I see you. I hear you. I know. You have put your child into kindergarten and by now you realize you have made a terrible, terrible mistake. Your child may be showing concerning behavioral issues. Or, academically you see he is just not ready to be in this type of setting. You are thinking about pulling him out and homeschooling. But the thought of homeschooling brings an entirely new level of panic. I see you.
“We went through a system that was failing them FOR AN ENTIRE YEAR before making the decision to pull them.”
It may not be exactly the same circumstance, but 25 years ago I was agonizing over a similar experience. I had twins. It was not a couple of months into the school year. It was the end of kindergarten, and I learned that they were both failing and the school was recommending they repeat the entire year. The news was devastating. We went through a system that was failing them for an entire year before we made the decision to pull them.
Please hear me clearly: you don’t have to commit to a full school year. You can pull your child out now. You are not trapped.
Is Homeschooling the Right Decision for You?
Deciding whether to homeschool your child is one of the hardest parenting choices you’ll ever face. You might be asking yourself: What if I’m not qualified to teach? Will my child fall behind socially? What curriculum do I even use? Will I regret pulling them out?
These are all normal questions. Every mom who has stood where you are now standing has felt the same fears. But here’s the truth: No one knows your child better than you do. That gives you an advantage over any system. Homeschooling looks different for everyone.
In the early years, homeschooling your preschool and kindergarten student is about curiosity, play, and family connection rather than sitting at a desk for hours. These types of activities create deep, meaningful learning experiences for your child and foster a lifetime love for learning.
There are more resources today than ever before. From curriculum guides, easy to implement resources, to in person and online co-ops, you won’t be alone. If you’re feeling that strong “something is wrong” pull in your heart about your child’s school experience—DON’T IGNORE IT! That’s your sign to take action. Here are some immediate, practical steps to help you move forward with confidence.
Start with a deep breath.
Most importantly, take a breath. You don’t need a perfect homeschool plan tomorrow. Give yourself and your child time to process this change. Do some research. Homeschool laws vary. Some states require paperwork or portfolio reviews, while others only need a simple notice of intent. The Homeschool Legal Defense Association is a great place to start.
Remember, Rome wasn’t built in a day, and your homeschool doesn’t have to be either. Kids often need a transition period to rediscover the joy of learning. Play games, read books together, go outside, build things, cook—real-life learning counts.
In the beginning, focus on the basics: reading aloud, gentle math practice, and hands-on activities. When I pulled my girls from public school and brought them home, we focused on reading, writing, and math for the first semester. The extras were brought in with cooking and quality life experiences. My girls were non-readers when we brought them home. By the end of the first semester they were reading at a beginning second grade level.
Look for support from seasoned homeschoolers.
Look for support. Check out local homeschool groups or co-ops and Facebook groups in your area (I happen to know a great one) – Little Shoes Academy has a Facebook group that offers creative ideas and free support calls weekly.
These online and in person communities are places where moms share encouragement and resources. Also, don’t forget homeschooling conventions where you can find amazing resources. The best part is you can touch and examine the resource samples in the vendor halls as well as attend informative workshops!
What about socialization?
I hear the elephant in the room now. What About Socialization? One of the top questions moms ask is: “Will my child miss out on friends if we homeschool?” The reality is that homeschooled children often have more flexible and meaningful opportunities for socialization: playdates, co-ops, church groups, sports, library programs, and everyday life experiences. Instead of being limited to a classroom of 25 kids the same age, they interact with a wide variety of people and situations.
What about curriculum?
How do you choose a homeschool curriculum for your kindergartner without feeling overwhelmed? Deciding on a homeschool curriculum can feel like the scariest part of this journey—but you don’t have to nail it on day one. Many curriculums are cute but lack the necessary sequence to ensure your child learns to read well.
Other curriculums might be too expensive or lack enough engaging activities to keep your young learner participating for more than a few minutes. Some curriculums offer no support once you’ve purchased them.
The best curriculum will be easy to implement, low prep, with solid teaching tips, and full of fun activities that encourage play as a means of learning.
Little Shoes Academy (LSA) is the perfect, researched backed curriculum for early literacy and math skills.
Little Shoes Academy (LSA) homeschool curriculum for pre-k and kindergarten is is an excellent, research backed option!
Why Little Shoes Academy Stands Out
Grounded in the Science of Reading
Little Shoes Academy builds its early literacy lessons on the well-established Science of Reading approach—explicit, systematic, and supported by decades of research. It emphasizes the building blocks of reading: phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, sight words, fluency, and comprehension—all presented in a fun, digestible way.
Holistic Math with Hands-On Learning
Instead of rote memorization, LSA’s math curriculum focuses on number sense, problem-solving, and critical thinking through games and manipulatives. It encourages children to grasp how numbers work together, not just what they are.
Effectiveness – studies show LSA methods can triple expected learning outcomes for early learners.
Support Beyond the Lesson Plans
LSA doesn’t just drop curriculum on your lap—they walk alongside you. You gain access to:
o A Facebook community of homeschooling parents for connection and encouragement
o Virtual gatherings and expert Q&A sessions to help with lesson planning and troubleshooting Southeast Homeschool Expo
More tips to help you get started
Q: What if I’m not a teacher?
A: You don’t need a teaching degree to homeschool. You need love, patience, and the willingness to learn alongside your child.
Q: How many hours a day should I homeschool kindergarten or first grade?
A: Typically, young children need only 1–2 hours of structured learning per day. The rest is play, exploration, and everyday learning.
Q: How will my child get into college later?
A: Homeschooled students are accepted into colleges and universities nationwide. In fact, many schools actively recruit homeschoolers for their independence and self-motivation.• If you fear complexity or academic perfection—LSA offers simple, research-based guidance you can trust.
• If you’re worried about overwhelm—LSA’s structured yet flexible units let you ease in.
• If you value support and community—you’ll find both in LSA’s online ecosystem.
• If your child needs a solid literacy and math foundation—LSA builds that on proven strategies for confident learning.
You are not failing your child by pulling them out of school—you are rescuing them. You are choosing connection over conformity, growth over labels, and hope over fear. Yes, it feels overwhelming right now, but homeschooling does not require perfection. It simply requires a willing heart, patience, and the belief that your child’s well-being matters more than following the crowd.
Mom, I see you. And you can do this.
