5 Lessons I Learned as a First-Time Home Ed Parent

When I first decided to home educate my daughter, I had equal parts excitement and fear. I worried about whether I was doing enough, doing it right, or doing it “properly”. I compared our days to idealised routines online and often questioned myself. But as the months passed, I realised that home education isn’t about perfection or ticking boxes. It’s about connection, curiosity, and learning together. These are some of the most important lessons I’ve learned as a first-time home ed parent.

1. Lean on Their Interests

One of the biggest breakthroughs for us came when I stopped trying to make learning look a certain way and instead leaned into what my daughter already loved. She adores Disney princesses, so I built an alphabet using their names. Suddenly, something she used to dislike, reciting letters, became exciting. She went from avoiding it to asking to do more.

Children are naturally curious when learning connects to their interests. If you’re unsure what your child is into, spend a day really observing them. Watch how they play, listen to what they talk about, and notice what they gravitate towards. Their interests are an open door to joyful learning.

2. Having a Plan Is Great, but So Is Going with the Flow

I like having structure, so I create monthly and weekly plans to guide what we’ll explore and to help me prepare materials. Plans give me confidence and direction. However, I’ve learned that flexibility is just as important.

Sometimes my daughter suggests an activity that isn’t on the plan at all. In the past, I might have dismissed it in favour of sticking to what I’d prepared. Now, I often go along with her idea  and more often than not, she enjoys it far more because it was her choice. It reminds me that her voice matters and that learning doesn’t have to follow a strict schedule to be meaningful.

3. Learn at Their Own Pace

Early on, I gathered lots of activity ideas aimed at children her age and assumed she would find them just right. The reality? Some activities were too easy and didn’t hold her attention, while others were too challenging and led to frustration.

Finding the right balance is still a learning process for me. I’ve had to accept that it’s okay to adjust, pause, or abandon something altogether. The key lesson here is not to beat ourselves up and not to push too hard either. Children develop at their own pace, and learning doesn’t need to be rushed to be effective.

4. There Are Unlimited Free Resources

One thing that has surprised me is just how many free learning resources are available. Pinterest is my go-to place for activity ideas, inspiration, and printables. Add a good stash of stationery supplies, and you’re pretty much set.

When I feel stuck or uninspired, I’ve also found ChatGPT to be a helpful idea generator. Sometimes all you need is a spark to get going. Home education doesn’t have to be expensive to be rich in learning. Creativity often matters more than cost.

5. Learning Needs to Be Fun

This might be the most important lesson of all. If I feel bored or uninspired while creating an activity, there’s little point in presenting it to my daughter. Children can sense when something feels forced.

If frustration or tension creeps in, we take a break. Learning should feel interesting, magical, and positive, not stressful. When children associate learning with joy, curiosity comes naturally, and progress often happens faster than we expect.

We are learning together, and we are not perfect and that’s okay. Home education has taught me just as much as it has taught my daughter. We are creating beautiful memories, moving at our own pace, and learning in our own way, on our own terms. And for us, that’s what truly matters.