As a long-time homeschooling mom, I truly believe these are the top must haves for homeschooling moms!
Here’s why!
As a homeschooling mom, our time is stretched between providing an education for our kids, caring for our home, driving our kids to activities or the library, running errands such as grocery shopping, and so on! Oh, and let’s not forget those working homeschooling moms or moms considering starting a side hustle.
It’s a lot!
However, being a homeschooling mom comes with numerous rewards that can significantly impact our kid’s lives.
Such as:
- Individualized Education: Homeschooling allows us to customize our children’s education according to their unique learning styles and interests, fostering a more effective learning environment
- Strong Bonds: This is one of my favorites as a homeschooling mom of two. Spending more time influencing my kids and building a stronger relationship.
- Role Model: You are your children’s biggest influencer not their peers at school. You get to grow your kids to meet your standards.
There are tons of other benefits of being a homeschooling mom.
To be the best mom and homeschooling mom to your kids you need to have structure and strategies in place that will help you to enjoy homeschooling and not feel burned out by this privilege.
10 Must Haves For Homeschooling Moms
Here are some items that have really helped me to balance homeschooling and working from home that I think may be a huge benefit to you as well.
1. Homeschool Planner
A homeschool planner is a must for helping you stay organized, and plan your days and lesson plans. Store passwords, etc.
Over the years, I’ve used many homeschooling planners, but it was only when I stumbled upon the Erin Condren Homeschool Planner, that I was 100% satisfied. It’s durable, has enough writing space, and is super cute, but more so will keep you organized.
2. Big Calendar
This inexpensive calendar is another gem that will help you stay organized, especially if you have multiple kids and a whole lot of things going on. Extra activities, visits to the library, online classes, and homeschool meet-ups.
Or, maybe to help you keep things organized in your household such as meal planning, days you need to run errands, call mom, etc.
The first years of homeschooling I did not have a big calendar and I always felt overwhelmed with everything happening. Since getting a big yearly calendar where I could easily make notes under any given date, I feel so much more organized.
3. Books / Kindle
Social media is a great place to connect and learn from seasoned homeschooling moms. It can also be a place that makes you feel less than others and fall victim to the comparison trap. I’ve been there before and it’s not a beautiful feeling. There was a time, I thought I was doing this whole homeschooling thing wrong. Haha.
Only to realize, I wasn’t! I was homeschooling my way and not necessarily the way others were. And that’s okay. Because there’s no right or wrong way when it comes to homeschooling.
Stay true to your homeschooling goals and mission and follow your path to homeschooling.
Reading blog posts and books written by homeschooling experts themselves was a game changer in boosting my confidence in homeschooling.
Or just read your favorite genre of books. Reading is therapy for any homeschooling mom in my opinion.
Having a Kindle allowed me to access homeschooling moms, self-help, fiction books and so much more.
Now, if you are more of a hard-cover person and prefer holding the physical books that’s okay too! Just commit to reading because it is therapy.
Some of my favorite must-reads for homeschooling moms are:
- The call of wild and free
- Homeschool Bravely
- The Brave Learner
- Raising Good Humans
- Hold On To Your Kids
4. Water Bottle
As a busy homeschooling momma there will be days when you forget a simple act as drinking water. I found that having a bottle or cup (if you will) dedicated helps me to drink more water.
So, every morning, before we start our homeschooling day, I make sure to fill my water bottle and take it with me to our homeschool room. Even if you are homeschooling in your dining room or kitchen having that water bottle will remind you to drink water.
5. Coffee Marker
Chances are you already got yourself a coffee marker but if you don’t and is currently like what I was when I first started homeschooling with a kettle to boil water. I highly recommend getting yourself a Keurig Coffee Marker (or asking for it as a gift).😜
Here’s why – there were many days when I turned the kettle on and forgot I was boiling water. I found that having a Keurig to be more efficient in producing that cup of coffee for me. And I bet you will too.
6. Instant Pot
Let me guess: you’re probably thinking why an Instant Pot!!!!!
😂Yes, this instant pot will become your best friend in your kitchen. If you don’t already own an instant pot, I highly recommend looking into getting one because it will be life-saving when it comes to having a nice home-cooked dinner.
Even though you won’t be spending all day homeschooling your littles your time is still going to be crunched on many days and this instant pot will ease the load of having to spend hours in the kitchen.
My favorite recipe is a beef chili or roasted beef and potatoes. It takes me less than 30 minutes to prep everything before turning the slow cooker on and not having to worry about dinner for the rest of the day. YouTube has many great slow cook recipes so you will not be out of ideas.
7. An Air Fryer
Having an air fryer can significantly help you save time and streamline meal preparation, which is crucial in managing a busy household.
Similarly to an instant pot, many air fryer recipes require less active cooking time. Allowing you to engage with your children or focus on other tasks while meals are being prepared.
If you have older kids, they can help out in putting together an air fryer meal because it’s so straightforward and easy to use.
8. Comfy Sweaters and Leggings
When I first began homeschooling, I did so in my Pajamas for a short time until I realized that getting dressed, brushing my hair, and using face moisturizer not only made me feel clean, neat, and tidy but I was able to gain more confidence in who I was as a homeschooling mom. I was able to be more productive and accomplish our daily goals.
Throwing on a nice sweater and comfy leggings will be your go-to.
Honestly, getting dressed in the mornings before starting my day is like second nature now.
9. Printer
As a homeschooling mom, you will be printing tons of worksheets, activities, and coloring pages for your kiddos. Heading to your local library or Staples or Walgreens will cost you way more than just getting a printer from the get-go!
You can get this very affordable printer on Amazon.
10. A Library Card Or Libby Access
Your local library can be a place that allows you to save a whole lot when it comes to buying books. Of course, you will have those must-have fiction books or read aloud. But, I have found our library to be a great resource center in getting books for our unit studies – such as Rocks, Geographic, Health, and Nutrition and even read-aloud!
The Libby app is also great for you and older kids. So definitely, consider asking your librarian if they are part of the Libby program. All you do is download the Libby app on your phone or tablet and you will get access to whatever book you wish to read for 2-3 weeks (depending on your location).
11. A Journal/ Diary
Taking care of yourself is imperative and one way I found caring for myself mentally is through journaling.
Whether it’s just doing a brain dump for the day at night or being mindful in the morning and writing the things I’m grateful for or my feelings. Journaling has been a great source of help. If you have not tried journaling I highly recommend you grab a scrapbook, any notebook, or a guided prompt journal and start your journaling journey as you begin homeschooling. Journaling will change the trajectory of your homeschooling.
So, there you have it! 10 must-haves for homeschooling moms that will make your homeschooling journey less stressful and more enjoyable.
12. Laminator
A laminator will be a lifesaver when it comes to protecting your kids’ educational worksheets, flashcards, or charts enhancing their longevity and usability. As well as when making posters or wall art for your homeschooling or kids’ rooms.
Currently, I am using this laminator and we love it!
13. Comfortable Pillows
I know what life is like as a homeschooling mama – especially if you also have a side hustle or work from home. It’s chaotic!
At least that’s how it’s for me most days.
Getting a good night’s rest can help make those stressful days feel less stressful. When you are rested you can cope with tantrums or mishaps that may happen throughout the day more calmly.
If you find yourself heading to bed earlier and still unable to sleep, you can consider lighting a calming candle, lavender oil on pillow case or even investing in a cozy pillow.
The one I used and loved and could not do without is the Good Pillow from Pillow Fight.
Conclusion
Homeschooling requires a thoughtful selection of tools and resources to create an effective and engaging learning environment. These 14+ must-haves for homeschooling moms are based on what I’ve found has helped me create an organized, efficient, and enjoyable learning environment that meets the needs of my children while also supporting my well-being as a work-from-home homeschooling mom.
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- How to deschool before homeschooling
- 8 ways to be a better homeschooling mom
- Best homeschooling quotes for moms
- How to take care of yourself as a homeschooling mom
- Best educational apps for preschoolers
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Some of the links in this post may be affiliate links. I’m also an Amazon Affiliate and will occasionally link to some of my favorite Amazon products. I will receive a small percentage back if you purchase through my link. You won’t be charged a penny more if you shop through my links. That said, I do NOT recommend anything I do not use and love! Thank you for helping support my blog!
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