Planning Your Homeschool Year With Wisdom and Margin
First day of school, August 2020, San Diego, CA
Every summer, homeschool moms pull out their planners, order new books, and dream about the year ahead. The possibilities feel endless—co-ops, field trips, sports, online classes, church groups, clubs, and more. But the truth is, the sheer number of opportunities can be overwhelming. If we’re not intentional, we can plan ourselves right out of the peace and flexibility that homeschooling is meant to give.
Start With Your Kids’ Input
Each year I ask my children two simple questions:
What do you want more of?
What do you want less of?
Their answers are always illuminating. Sometimes it’s more hands-on projects and fewer worksheets. Sometimes it’s more time outside and less time rushing between commitments. By giving them a voice, I learn what energizes them and what drains them—and it helps shape the year in a way that serves the whole family.
Prioritize What Matters Most
In our home, scripture and movement come first. I want our days anchored in God’s Word and fueled by the physical activity my kids need to learn well. Everything else builds around those pillars.
I also protect cushion between activities. Rushing from one subject to the next or cramming commitments back-to-back leads to stress and short tempers. Margin gives space for curiosity, rest, and the unexpected conversations that often matter more than the assignment on paper.
Anchor Points in the Day
While the flow of our homeschool varies, two times are non-negotiable:
Morning Time. We start together—with prayer, scripture, and something shared that pulls us into the same rhythm before scattering into individual subjects.
Lunch Time. We regroup at the table, no matter what else the day holds. That shared pause in the middle keeps us grounded.
These two anchor points keep us connected as a family, even when the rest of the day feels full.
Own the Overcommitment Temptation
Let’s be honest: homeschool moms have a reputation for being both overcommitted and flaky. We sign up for too much, then realize we can’t do it all and start backing out. Owning this reality actually makes it easier to fight against.
The key is awareness. Opportunities today are abundant—so abundant that it’s impossible to say yes to them all. We have to train ourselves (and model for our kids) how to say no to good things in order to say yes to better things.
Be Wise, Not Just Busy
As you plan your homeschool year, remember that busyness isn’t the goal—faithfulness is. A wise plan builds in margin, honors your family’s values, and protects the time you need for discipleship and rest.
When you feel the pull to add “just one more thing,” pause. Pray. Ask whether this opportunity serves your family’s priorities or simply adds noise.
Final Encouragement
Homeschooling doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s schedule. Start with your kids’ input, anchor your days in God’s Word and shared moments, and guard the margin that allows life to breathe. The result won’t be a perfect year—but it will be a year with room for growth, joy, and connection.
