My friends… It feels like just yesterday we were sharpening new pencils, organizing shelves full of fresh curriculum, and dreaming about what this school year would hold. And now here we are—another year older, another year wiser about what worked (we hope!), and another year of joy-filled homeschooling behind us.
Whether you’re sipping your third cup of coffee after a long morning or hiding in the pantry for five minutes of quiet (been there), I want to invite you to take a deep breath with me and reflect on what worked this year… and maybe what didn’t. I have a feeling some of these things might sound familiar, but if they don’t I’d love for you to let me know some of the things that worked for you and your family!
Table of Contents – Click to jump ahead!
What Worked: Celebrating the Wins
1. Leaning into a Rhythm Instead of a Rigid Schedule
For years, we have embraced a rhythm over a strict schedule—and friends, it has been a game-changer. When we give ourselves permission to move with the natural flow of our days, the tension eases. The order of our tasks remains the same each day (Bible, Math, Language Arts, etc.) but their timing may shift and that’s more than okay! This gives us the ability to wake up without an alarm, tackle school at each child’s individual pace, and even free up for time for friends and errands! CLICK HERE to read about our daily homeschool routine!
2. Simple Curriculum That Served Us
I’ll be honest—I did a crazy thing this year… I started a brand new (to us) curriculum in January. Ha! We had been juggling lots of workbooks for each subject and I desperately felt the need to simplify. So that’s exactly what we did!
In January, we switched to an open-and-go curriculum that combined multiple subjects into each study. Choosing a curriculum that combines subjects (for exactly, our Language Arts curriculum includes Spelling, Reading comprehension, Grammar, Writing, AND Geography and Art studies) has been a wonderful way to simplify! We all look forward to our lessons each day AND have more time to pursue other interests! (PS If you’re wondering which curriculum we switched to, it’s The Good and The Beautiful!)
3. Prioritizing Discipleship Over Deadlines
Some of our sweetest “school” moments weren’t part of a lesson plan. They happened during heart-to-heart talks, prayers over frustrations, or moments of character training. At the end of the day, this is one of the biggest reasons we homeschool—to shepherd their hearts, not just their minds. What a GIFT we have as mommas to be the ones who hold this role!
What Didn’t Work: Lessons Learned the Hard Way
1. Overscheduling Our Weeks
Somehow, despite knowing better, I still said “yes” to way too many things in the fall. Co-ops, field trips, play dates—you name it, we did it. And by Winter, we were burnt out. This was a big reminder to protect our peace and leave margin in our calendar. What worked best for our weekly routine might night look the same as someone else’s – and that’s okay! Taking time to evaluate the way our family spends time is always a good thing to do! CLICK HERE to read about our favorite weekly homeschool schedule to follow!
2. Ignoring My Own Needs
Mamas, we pour and pour and pour. But if we never pause to refill, we end up empty. During the first semester this year, I put myself on the back burner – and I felt it. But by the holidays, I had ditched “time thieves” (social media – I’m looking at you) and embraced some of my old favorite hobbies.
I started reading more books, dug into some puzzles, and even cracked open my stash of cross-stitch patterns! Y’all – it’s been life-giving! (I promise to share more on this soon!) So far, what worked BEST for me is finding screen-free hobbies I can enjoy WHILE the girls are homeschooling. It’s been delightful to cross-stitch at the kitchen table while the girls do their work!
3. Holding Too Tightly to Expectations
When one of my kiddos struggled with a subject I thought they should have mastered by now, I panicked. I pushed too hard and forgot to step back and trust the process. Every child learns at their own pace, and that’s okay. It’s so helpful to remember that one of the main reasons we homeschool is for this exact reason! Each kiddo will go at their own pace, and my goodness – that’s such a gift!
Moving Forward with Grace
Friend, if this year felt messy sometimes, you’re not alone. If you’re ending the school year with a handful of things you’d like to change for next year—me too. But I’m learning that’s okay. Homeschooling isn’t about having it all figured out. It’s about showing up, leaning into the gift of time that we’ve been given with our babies, and growing right alongside them.
Let’s celebrate the progress, release the pressure, and prepare our hearts (and lesson plans) for a fresh start when the time comes. But for now? Let’s rest. Let’s rejoice! And maybe pour an extra cup of coffee.
You’re doing good work, Momma! Keep going.
With love and coffee,
The Stay-at-Home Teacher
LET’S HANG OUT!
I’d love to chat and get to know you better! You can find us below in some of our favorite places to hang out. Can’t wait to learn more about your homeschool journey!
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