What I Learned This Year in Our Homeschool

Just so you know, this post contains affiliate links. That means if you use them to make a purchase, I may earn a commission. You can read my full affiliate disclosure HERE.

Every homeschool year brings its own set of surprises—and this past year was no exception. As I’ve been reflecting on what worked, what didn’t, and how we all grew through it, I realized that even after years of homeschooling, I’m still being stretched and sanctified right alongside my kids.

Last year, I was homeschooling a 7th grader, twin 6th graders, and a kindergartner. It was a full house and a full schedule. And honestly? It taught me so much. Some lessons were hard, others were practical, and a few were simple mindset shifts that made a huge difference in our days.

Here are the biggest things I learned this year in our homeschool—shared in hopes that they’ll encourage you too, especially if you’re heading into a new school year with questions, nerves, or just a desire to grow.

1. Flexibility Is a Strength, Not a Weakness

I’ve learned this lesson before, but it definitely came back around this year. I started the year with a carefully planned schedule and all our curriculum mapped out—only to make more mid-year changes than ever before.

We switched our history to Mystery of History, adjusted our science and spelling plans, and we’re making some big changes in math going into this next year. Years ago, I would’ve seen these changes as failures. Now I see them as wisdom. Sticking to a plan just because it was the plan doesn’t serve anyone if it’s not working. Being willing to pivot isn’t weakness—it’s strength.

Of course, it’s easy to fall into “shiny object syndrome” and jump to every new curriculum that crosses your feed. But there’s a difference between chasing trends and thoughtfully adjusting to what your family truly needs. Making a change doesn’t mean you messed up—it means you’re paying attention.

2. Learning Styles Matter More Than I Thought

We all say we want to tailor learning to our kids’ needs—but this year, I really saw how crucial that is.

I tried combining science for my kindergartner and older girls using Science in the Beginning, which my girls loved. But my youngest just couldn’t sit through the lessons. Similarly, my 7th grader struggled with the text-heavy Science in the Atomic Age, even though he’s a smart, capable reader. He thrives with interactive, video-based learning—and I had ignored that, trying to push a textbook-heavy option for the sake of balance.

This was a wake-up call: just because a curriculum is supposed to work for a certain age range doesn’t mean it’s right for your specific child. I’m learning to honor how my kids learn best—even when it’s different from what I expected.

3. Planning Ahead Makes a Huge Difference

I’ve always thought of myself as a planner, but I usually planned week to week, often on Sunday nights. It worked—but it was draining.

This summer, I decided to pre-load as many lesson plans as possible into Homeschool Planet. I used marketplace lesson plans for some subjects, built-in features for others, and even manually entered assignments for things like CTCMath.

It took time up front, but now I feel so much lighter heading into the new year. I know things will shift (they always do!), but having a solid plan gives me peace and margin.

4. Open-and-Go Doesn’t Always Mean Easy

Ah, the magical phrase: “open and go.” Sometimes that’s true… but sometimes it’s more like “open, scramble to find the printables, realize you forgot to prep…” and then go.

This year reminded me that even “open-and-go” curriculum works better with just a bit of preparation. A few minutes of review the night before made a huge difference in how smoothly our days ran.

Also, some open-and-go programs are actually quite teacher-intensive. All About Spelling is one I’ve loved in the past, but this year it felt like too much. We switched to Evan-Moor workbooks for a simpler solution. Likewise, Logic of English became much more manageable once I added the online supplements. Sometimes simplifying or tweaking is exactly what’s needed.

5. Systems Matter—A Lot

For years, I resisted structure because I didn’t want our homeschool to feel rigid or “too schooly.” I leaned into flexible routines instead.

But last year, too much flexibility left us feeling scattered—especially with group subjects. Everyone was working at different paces, and trying to fit in group time when it “worked for everyone” ended up being frustrating and inconsistent.

This year, I’m building in more structure. Nothing overly rigid—but enough to bring order to our days. We’ll have consistent times for lunch, group lessons, and one-on-one work. With my now-1st grader needing more focused time, that extra structure will help all of us stay on track without chaos.

6. Being Present Matters More Than Multitasking

This was a big one. I used to think I could homeschool and work simultaneously—just answer a quick email here, check something there. But it left me stretched thin and constantly distracted.

So this year, I made it a priority to be present during our homeschool hours. That meant setting boundaries with my work and giving my kids my full attention. Surprisingly, it didn’t mean I got less done—if anything, our school days were more focused, and I had more margin for work later. Being all-in during school time helped everything run smoother.

7. Intentionality Over Perfection

This one is close to my heart. There’s always something that doesn’t go according to plan. But I’m learning that my kids don’t need a perfect homeschool mom—they need a present, intentional one.

They need a mom who notices what’s working, who shows up with a plan (even if it changes), and who keeps the big picture in mind: raising kids who love learning and love the Lord.

High standards are good. But chasing perfection will only wear us down. I’m choosing grace, growth, and intentionality over unrealistic expectations.

Final Thoughts

This past homeschool year brought plenty of challenges—but also a lot of growth. I’m walking into the new year a little wiser, a little more grounded, and a whole lot more focused on what really matters.

What about you? What did you learn this past homeschool year? I’d love to hear in the comments—it’s always so encouraging when we can learn from and support one another in this journey.

And if you found this post helpful, be sure to subscribe for more homeschool encouragement and tips. I’m excited to walk through the next year with you!

Blessed Homeschool is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. You can read my full affiliate disclosure HERE.