What I would do differently If I could start homeschooling over

If I could sit down with my younger homeschooling self, I'd have *a lot to say.* Looking back, I see the things I stressed over that didn't matter, the mistakes I made, and the lessons I wish I had learned sooner. In this video, I'm sharing: 

The *biggest lessons* I've learned as a homeschool mom 

What I would change* if I could start over 

The things I wish I had worried *less* about-and what actually mattered most If you're just starting out or even years into your homeschool journey, I hope this video encourages you!

You don't have to do it perfectly-you just have to show up, love your kids, and trust that the small daily moments of learning and connection are what truly matter. 

QUESTION FOR YOU:If you could start homeschooling over, what's ONE thing you would do differently? Drop it in the comments-I'd love to hear from you!

 

Book 1 on 1 with me

Beyond Burnout for the Homeschool Mom

 

Episode Transcript

(01:49):
Hey friends, today I want to talk with you about something a little different than what I usually do.
But what I'd like to talk to you about is what I would do differently if I could start homeschooling over again.
.999If I could sit down with my younger self, I would give her lots of advice because I'd have a lot to say. 4 00:02:07,169.999 --> 00:02:08,779.999 I'd look back on those early years.

(02:09):
I was full of excitement.
I was full of doubts.
I was full of trial and error, and I can't help But think that if only I had known what I know now, that's exactly why I'm making this video to help you avoid the mistakes that I made In this video, I'll be sharing the biggest lessons I learned as a homeschool mom.

(02:32):
What I would change, if I could go back, the things that I wish I had worried less about, and what actually mattered the most. 9 00:02:41,439.999 --> 00:02:52,030 So, whether you're just starting out or you're a few years in, grab a cup of tea, get comfortable, and let's talk about what I'd do differently if I could start school all over again.

(02:53):
So, let me take you back to my first year of homeschooling.
I remember sitting at my kitchen table with stacks of curriculum, feeling excited, but also completely overwhelmed. 12 00:03:06,719.999 --> 00:03:08,649.999 I thought, I have to do it all.
I have to create the perfect schedule, cover every subject thoroughly, and make sure my kids stayed on track with what the schools were doing.

(03:18):
looking back, I realized I was stressing over the wrong things.
Here are three things I wish I had known from the beginning.
I wish I had known that less is more.
In the early years, I bought way too much curriculum.
I felt like I needed every subject, every workbook, every educational resource out there.

(03:41):
What have I learned? Quality over quantity.
Instead of overloading your kids, focus on what truly sparks their curiosity, and that builds a solid foundation.
So, if you're overwhelmed by curriculum choices, start with just the basics. 22 00:03:59,199.999 --> 00:04:01,219.999 Reading, writing, and math. 23 00:04:01,619.999 --> 00:04:02,910 You can always add more later.

(04:03):
The second thing I would tell my younger self is that you do not have to recreate school at home.
In my first year, I thought homeschool had to look exactly like a traditional school.
Strict schedules, formal lessons, and a rigid structure.
But the beauty of homeschooling is that it can be flexible to fit your family's lifestyle. 28 00:04:23,539.999 --> 00:04:26,580 Learning happens everywhere, not just at your desk.

(04:27):
.001I remember when I first started homeschooling my older children, I used a pack of books. 30 00:04:31,930.001 --> 00:04:32,940.001 it was a great curriculum. 31 00:04:33,460.001 --> 00:04:41,210.003 They learned well on it and they thrived under it, but I felt like I had to do every worksheet they recommended And there was a lot. 32 00:04:41,240.002 --> 00:04:46,320.002 I look back on what they did and it was unbelievable what I expected of them for their age level. 33 00:04:46,430.002 --> 00:04:48,460.001 it was absolutely not necessary. 34 00:04:48,800.002 --> 00:04:51,910.002 it did affect my relationship with our children. 35 00:04:51,970.002 --> 00:04:54,300.002 it does not have to be that way. 36 00:04:54,330.002 --> 00:04:56,530.002 if I could change that, I would change that. 37 00:04:57,360.003 --> 00:05:03,350.003 find a rhythm that works for your family, whether it's morning lessons or afternoon learning or a mixture of both. 38 00:05:03,680.003 --> 00:05:05,800.003 Just do what works for your family. 39 00:05:06,370.002 --> 00:05:09,590.002 your child's pace matters way more than the curriculum. 40 00:05:10,280.002 --> 00:05:18,290.002 I used to stress about keeping up, doing exactly what they thought I should do, make sure they were at their grade level, but every child learns at their own pace and that's okay. 41 00:05:19,195.002 --> 00:05:21,865.002 What matters is progress, not perfection. 42 00:05:21,875.002 --> 00:05:26,845.002 You will never have a perfect homeschool, but your child will get there in their own time. 43 00:05:27,385.002 --> 00:05:32,615.002 instead of worrying about grade levels, focus on skills building and a love for learning. 44 00:05:33,615.002 --> 00:05:37,655.002 Now, let's talk about what I would do differently if I could homeschool over again. 45 00:05:38,655.002 --> 00:05:41,895.001 I would focus more on relationships and less on the rigor. 46 00:05:42,865.001 --> 00:05:49,925.002 In the beginning, I was so focused on the academics that I sometimes forgot the most important part, the relationship with my kids. 47 00:05:50,555.001 --> 00:05:53,885.002 Homeschooling isn't just about education, it's about connection. 48 00:05:54,555.002 --> 00:05:58,365.002 When the relationship is strong, learning happens more naturally. 49 00:05:59,235.002 --> 00:06:02,570.002 So, if your child is struggling with a subject, reconnect. 50 00:06:02,870.002 --> 00:06:05,880.002 Go for a walk, read a book together, or just talk. 51 00:06:05,990.002 --> 00:06:07,860.002 let it go as it should go. 52 00:08:11,760.002 --> 00:08:15,240.002 If I could homeschool again, I'd let go of the comparison sooner. 53 00:08:15,450.002 --> 00:08:18,400.002 Comparison stole my joy in those early days. 54 00:08:18,930.002 --> 00:08:27,560 I could see what other homeschool moms were doing and those kids seemed to advance and hear about their perfect homeschool routine and wonder if I was doing enough. 55 00:08:28,170.001 --> 00:08:31,60.001 the truth no two homeschool journeys are the same. 56 00:08:31,470.001 --> 00:08:32,570.001 And that's actually a good thing. 57 00:08:32,815.001 --> 00:08:33,855.001 Because we're individuals. 58 00:08:33,885.001 --> 00:08:35,445.001 Your child is an individual. 59 00:08:36,105.001 --> 00:08:39,935.001 Focus on your child, your family, and what works for you. 60 00:08:40,595.001 --> 00:08:44,095 And don't compare your beginning to someone else's middle.

(08:45):
The third thing I would do would be to make more room for interest led learning.
I wish I had followed my kids interests more, instead of sticking so rigidly to the curriculum.
When kids are excited about a topic, they learn naturally, and they retain information better. 64 00:09:02,9.999 --> 00:09:03,459.999 It took me a few years to learn that.
I'm telling you today, so you don't make the same mistake.

(09:07):
.999If your child is obsessed with a topic, like space, animals, or history, lean into it. 67 00:09:13,839.999 --> 00:09:17,669.999 Let them read, explore, and learn through their own curiosity. 68 00:09:18,669.999 --> 00:09:26,489.999 Now, let's talk about the things that I wish had not mattered to me that really didn't matter in the long run, but that I did worry about. 69 00:09:27,339.999 --> 00:09:31,469.998 So, the first thing I often worried about was that homeschool schedule. 70 00:09:31,939.998 --> 00:09:35,389.999 I spent way too much time stressing over schedules and routines. 71 00:09:35,844.999 --> 00:09:40,84.999 Reality, homeschool schedules change constantly. 72 00:09:40,664.999 --> 00:09:46,384.998 Find a flexible routine, not a rigid schedule, and leave room for real life. 73 00:09:47,384.998 --> 00:09:50,974.997 Another thing I worried about was the fear of falling behind. 74 00:09:51,744.998 --> 00:09:57,374.998 Are we doing enough? Are we behind? But the truth is, kids learn in seasons. 75 00:09:57,814.998 --> 00:09:59,104.998 Some years, they'll fly ahead. 76 00:09:59,579.998 --> 00:10:02,289.998 Some years, they'll slow down, and that's okay. 77 00:10:03,39.998 --> 00:10:08,639.998 Stop focusing on where you should be, and start focusing on how you're growing. 78 00:10:09,589.997 --> 00:10:15,49.997 So, get a journal out, and start making notes about each child and where they're at. 79 00:10:15,729.997 --> 00:10:17,149.9975 In a few months, see what they've learned. 80 00:10:17,369.9975 --> 00:10:19,259.9975 Write it down and then see how far they've come. 81 00:10:19,289.9975 --> 00:10:23,229.9975 Instead of focusing on what they don't do, focus on what they do. 82 00:10:24,229.9975 --> 00:10:31,389.9975 Another thing I wouldn't do in my homeschool if I could do it over again is I would not care about what other people thought. 83 00:10:31,999.9975 --> 00:10:36,799.9975 I used to feel so insecure when people questioned me about our homeschool decision. 84 00:10:37,609.9975 --> 00:10:42,919.9975 Now I learned that what works for my family doesn't need anyone else's approval. 85 00:10:43,639.9975 --> 00:10:46,429.9975 find confidence in knowing why you homeschool. 86 00:10:47,39.9975 --> 00:10:49,739.9975 And don't let other people's opinions shake you. 87 00:10:50,739.9975 --> 00:10:59,459.9975 So friend, if you're just starting out, or even if you've been homeschooling for a few years, I just want to say that you're doing better than you think. 88 00:11:00,79.9975 --> 00:11:02,699.9975 Homeschooling is a journey and not a race. 89 00:11:03,129.9975 --> 00:11:05,469.9975 You don't have to have it all figured out right now. 90 00:11:05,999.9975 --> 00:11:07,839.9975 And you don't have to do it perfectly. 91 00:11:08,454.9975 --> 00:11:16,814.9975 You just have to show up, love your kids, and trust that the small, daily moments of learning and connection are what truly matter. 92 00:11:17,784.9975 --> 00:11:24,204.9975 I read something the other day, it said, about a woman that she had hoped to accomplish great things. 93 00:11:24,864.9975 --> 00:11:37,389.9985 Instead, she had to learn that she was accomplishing Great things by teaching her child to write a letter, smiling into her child's face, making a meal for her child and her family. 94 00:11:38,159.9985 --> 00:11:43,949.9985 And in the long run, through that, she was accomplishing the great things that she wished to accomplish. 95 00:11:44,429.9985 --> 00:11:46,889.9975 So it's in the small things that great things happen. 96 00:11:47,889.9975 --> 00:11:49,369.9975 So, here's my challenge to you. 97 00:11:49,859.9975 --> 00:12:00,519.9965 If you could start over, what's one thing you would do differently? Drop a comment below, because I'd love to see what you have to say. 98 00:12:01,519.9965 --> 00:12:06,689.9955 If you found this helpful, I'd love for you to subscribe for more encouragement like this. 99 00:12:07,259.9965 --> 00:12:08,229.9955 You've got this, Mama. 100 00:12:08,759.9965 --> 00:12:12,569.9965 And even on the hard days, God's grace is enough.