What Are the 7 Principles That Guide Us Through Homeschooling?

I’ve read countless blogs about “what you need” to start homeschooling—shelves, resources, worksheets, Pinterest boards—but now that we’re actually prepping for the real thing, I’ve come to realise it goes way beyond the physical setup. Homeschooling isn’t just a tactile process of learning—it’s an emotional one. And those emotions aren’t limited to your child; they ripple across the entire family. If even one person falters, the entire ecosystem can feel off-balance.

So before you invest in supplies and schedules, get your golden rules straight. For us, these are our 7 homeschooling principles:

Rule 1: Don’t do everything yourself—learn to delegate.

I love the idea of being a multitasker. I also hate it. Because let’s be honest—it can make you sloppy and exhausted. When it comes to homeschooling, delegation has been our saving grace.

My husband and I split responsibilities from day one. One handles hygiene and physical activity; the other, play and cognitive tasks. Our parents pitch in with activities they enjoy. Delegating isn't just helpful—it's essential. You can’t pour from an empty cup.

Rule 2: Be informed—and share what you learn.

Criticism is part of the package, and yes, it stings. We’ve had our share of awkward conversations, unsolicited advice, and doubtful glances. But instead of retreating, we started digging into facts, understanding educational frameworks, and framing our answers with confidence.

Even better? We do this openly in front of our child. He sees that it’s okay to question, research, and respond with dignity. Because, let’s face it, he’ll get asked “Why don’t you go to school?” more times than we can count.

Rule 3: Normalise homeschooling in the stories you read.

This was a hard-earned lesson. When we first bought books, they all revolved around schools—buses, lunchboxes, classrooms. My son couldn’t relate. It made him question his own routine.

One Google search later, we found amazing books that celebrated homeschoolers. If we want our kids to feel at home with homeschooling, their books and stories should reflect that too.

Rule 4: Routine is sacred—even without a school bell.

Just because there’s no morning rush or school bus doesn’t mean we wake up at noon. Discipline is part of any learning system, and ours is no exception.

We follow a clock-based routine that gives us time to explore what we want to learn, not just what’s mandated. Even when we travel, we stick to our rhythm—sometimes even sleeping earlier. It’s not about rigidity. It’s about respect for time and structure.

Rule 5: No comparisons, no superiority.

In our home, all learning styles are valid. We don’t bash schools or elevate homeschooling as “better.” We want our child to make informed choices, not parrot our beliefs.

He should be able to say, “This is how I learn best,” backed by understanding—not bias. And that means we present all education formats with equal respect.

Rule 6: Use screen time wisely and intentionally.

Do we use screens? Yes. Do we depend on them? No. Our child’s virtual class is activity-based and engaging, but outside of that, we avoid online modes for now.

Even though I’m a tech journalist and parenting influencer and someone who's always using a screen in front of her child during work hours, we made a conscious decision early on not to use screens for recreation. It’s not about banning—it’s about balance. Non-stimulating videos can’t replace real-world engagement, books, or quiet time. Every family is different, but less is more in our case.

Rule 7: Life isn’t perfect—and every hurdle is a learning curve.

This might be the most important rule of all. You will fail. And that’s okay.

Here are a few of our “failures”:

• Baby-led weaning? Didn’t work for us. At four, our son eats on his own sometimes, and on other days wants to be pampered. Especially with grandparents around. It’s progress, not perfection.

• Potty training? Happened at 3.5 years. We didn’t rush. We followed a routine. And it worked, eventually.

• Food aversions? Bananas, onions, dates, coconut water—he rejected them all. We kept offering them. One day, he just ate them. No drama.

• Social anxiety? For a brief period, he avoided strangers, and we panicked. Turns out, he was following our instruction to “not talk to strangers.” He listened. We overreacted.

The point? What seems like a crisis today may be a non-issue tomorrow. Parenting is about taking these moments in stride, without losing yourself in comparisons or self-doubt.

Homeschooling is not an escape. It’s a commitment—to flexibility, to presence, to trial-and-error learning. You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to show up, every day, with intent.

So if you’re on this path, breathe easy. Set your rules, trust your instincts, and remember: you’ve got this.