Depending on your reasons for homeschooling, you will probably approach this different ways. I have learned that unless it's written in black and white in the Bible (which most things are black and white), I should treat people with a healthy dose of grace and realize that if everyone were the same, a boring planet that would make. So while there is no one right way to homeschool, and other people have found smashing success using other methods, I will tell you what's worked and hasn't worked for me and my one kid. Now I sound like I have a narrow perspective. Which I don't, surprisingly. Just keep reading.
Some states require a cover school (I wrote about some good ones in Alabama here), some require you to simply register with the school superintendent, some don't even do that. Some states have a minimum attendance requirement; others don't. Some let you pull your kid out mid-year, some won't. Check yourstatename.gov for your homeschool requirements (like: alabama.gov).
2. Do your research. Every curricula out there has good points and bad points. I wrote a post about the curriculum we use (and several others that I'm familiar with and why I don't like them). Personally, I think the best way to figure it out is trial and error. Some people like a very structured lesson-planned day. Some like to pull the books out that morning and say, let's do these pages today. Some people don't even use books, they just let life teach their kids what they need to know (fyi, I don't recommend this method. I've seen the results and it's kids as dumb as rocks. Maybe you are or will be the exception, but probably not. Just sayin'.)
When I was growing up, we had to get up, room straightened, dressed for the day, breakfast eaten, and first subject spread out in front of us by 8:30 am. We worked diligently (and sometimes not so much--there was a period of several months that every time my mom walked out of the room, we would excitedly whisper to each other, "Now we can PLAY!") until 3 or 3:30. Monday through Friday. September to May. That worked for my mom. Not for me. First of all, I (and EJ, by the way) like to sleep in. Getting up and eating breakfast doesn't happen until 9:30 or 10 around here. And when we don't have to go anywhere (which is like, one day a week) we stay in our jommies all day. EJ has close to ten subjects, but he only does about 4-5 each day. He switches up what he does from day to day (if he doesn't do math as part of school, I make him do flashcards or something). I don't remember any field trips when I was homeschooled, but I don't hesitate to take three or four a month. And sometimes, we just don't do school, because neither of us felt like it. But you know what? That's okay, because we have 365 days to do 160 days of school. And last year, we finished the school year around day 100. (And no, we don't stick to September to May. We do July to June. It's what works for us.)
3. Do your research. (And here you thought I was gonna do all the hard work for you, huh? Can't, remember? Every state and kid is different.) There are some good support groups out there for homeschooling families. You want to find one (or several) that has a good balance of veteran and new homeschool parents. The veterans will be able to answer any question you may have (or point you to someone who can), and the other new families will be great to commiserate with. Also find a good field trip group. Going to the park at random times throughout the year is great and all, but if you can coordinate your visits with the same five other families, by the end of the year, you will either love your new friends or want to move. Let's hope it's the former! Plus, I know my kid always likes to play with kids he's met at the park before rather than having to forge completely new friendships every time.
4. Do your research. Just kidding. Number four is don't stress! God gave you your kid(s) for a reason, and with Him anything is possible. Take a breath, read some verses about peace, and make some decisions knowing you are doing your absolute best for your kids. God will reward faithfulness, and after you've been doing it for a while (sorry, think years, not weeks), it will get much easier. Many people think, halfway into the first month, that homeschooling is not for them, but it's not homeschooling that's the problem. It's the schedule, or support groups, or curriculum. Don't be afraid to change something if it's not working! God gave us common sense for a reason. :-)