By Mirley R. Graf

Homeschool can be very overwhelming. There is so much material and curriculum out there to choose from and so many shiny objects that it is easy to get lost with all of those options.

It is for this reason that I want to discuss how to have a simplified homeschool atmosphere that is cost-effective and takes up a small amount of space.

Choose a space: You don’t need a schoolroom to homeschool. In fact, I’ve read that recreating a schoolroom in your home is not even a good idea because mirroring school takes away from the magic that homeschooling has to offer. You can spread out homeschool throughout your house. The easiest thing to do is to set up your homeschool in your dining room.
Have a cart: Place all of your children’s books and supplies on a with space for them to place their books and supplies.
Chalkboard/whiteboard optional: A chalkboard or whiteboard is optional but does come in handy if you are wanting them to memorize something throughout the week.
Minimize books: It is so easy to get carried away with books. Trust me, I’m a book lover and have published one book and plan to publish more. Nevertheless, books consume space and require a lot of time. You don’t need to read every single book suggested in order for your child to have a rich experience. You only have to read the ones you love and make sense to your family.

These are my four simple steps on how to keep homeschooling simple. I hope this reduces the stress of thinking that homeschool is grander than it needs to be. Homeschooling is a place where families are able to get together, learn together at a simple and steady pace.