I’ve been homeschooling for 10 years now and I’ve been reflecting on how much has changed — in my mindset, in our routines, and in how I define “success.”
There were plenty of days I wondered if I was doing it right. (Spoiler: There’s no such thing!)
When we first started homeschooling, people were anti-technology in homeschools. (Crazy to think about now, right?)
A ton has changed in the homeschool world over the years and I’ve seen a HUGE amount of people confident to begin their homeschool journey. (Thanks, COVID.)
So I thought I’d share a few things I’ve learned along the way.
These aren’t rules. They’re not even tips, really. Just honest lessons that came from trial, error, and a whole lot of grace.
12 lessons from 10 years of homeschooling:
The curriculum is a tool — not the boss.
You don’t have to finish the book just because you started it. If something isn’t working for your kid (or for you), you’re allowed to switch, skip, or toss it entirely.
Think about how often you completed an entire textbook in public school? NEVER. You probably only read 5-10 chapters ALL YEAR.
Don’t ruin your homeschool by becoming a slave to the curriculum.
“Behind” is a made-up concept.
Unless you’re trying to match some arbitrary school timeline, there’s no such thing as “behind.” Your kid is learning at their pace — and that’s exactly how it’s supposed to be.
The beauty of homeschooling is that they can work as quickly or as slowly as they’d like, without feeling rushed or even “dumb.”
Connection matters more than completion.
Finishing every page in the workbook means nothing if your relationship is falling apart. Choose the connection. You can always come back to the lesson later.
That means, quit “schooling” for the day before you reach your breaking point. If you end up yelling and frustrated every day, no one wins.
This is about the long game.
Not every day will be magical. Some years will be hard. But you’re building something that lasts — and that’s worth sticking with, even when it’s messy.
I just tell myself “I’m building the foundation of their future” and it helps me remember why I’m doing it, no matter how hard it gets.
You don’t need to recreate someone else’s homeschool.
It’s easy to look around and feel like your homeschool isn’t structured enough, creative enough, or Instagram-worthy enough. But your homeschool doesn’t have to match anyone else’s vibe, schedule, or aesthetic to be valid and effective. What works for them might be chaos for you — and that’s okay.
And trust me, no one is sharing “real life” on the internet. We all have piles of overdue library books, dirty dishes in the sink and a to-do list a mile long. We just don’t share that with you.
What works one year might not work the next — and that’s normal.
Kids change. Life changes. What clicked last semester might suddenly stop working, and that doesn’t mean you messed up. It just means it’s time to pivot — and that’s part of the process.
Finding a curriculum that grows with your child is incredibly important. Finding something that works is half the battle.
You won’t ruin them by skipping a day.
Or a week. Or taking an unplanned break. You’re not a robot, and neither are your kids. Rest is part of the rhythm.
Don’t be afraid to learn outside of the “norm.” Go to museums, festivals, on field trips or even vacations! Talk to old folks, people from different places or different walks of life.
Skipping “school” doesn’t mean they won’t be learning!
Academic progress isn’t always linear.
Some seasons they shoot ahead, and some they seem to stall out. That doesn’t mean you’re doing something wrong. It just means they’re human.
Relax and enjoy the ride. It will all be okay!
You can’t homeschool well if you’re running on empty.
You’re not just the teacher — you’re the mom, the snack manager, the safe place. Taking care of you isn’t selfish — it’s essential.
Whether that means you indulge in date nights, girls nights or just quiet time alone at home, make sure you fill your tank, too!
The best lessons are rarely the ones you planned.
That off-topic rabbit trail? That deep conversation during lunch? That spontaneous science experiment? That’s where the magic happens.
Don’t be afraid to chase their interests, even if it changes daily.
“Socialization” is not a dirty word.
Yes, it matters. No, it doesn’t have to look like a traditional classroom. Community can be co-ops, game nights, friend dates, or just being out in the world.
Whether you choose to join several “socialization” opportunities each week or not, your kids will be fine.
I’ll give you a heads up, though: Around the ages of 11 or 12, the kids will start wanting more socialization. That’s totally normal. Be prepared for it, though!
It’s okay to need outside help.
You’re not less of a homeschooler if you use a tutor, send your kid to therapy, or ask someone else to teach them math. You’re allowed to outsource.
If you are looking for a new internet near me provider, ask your home education friends who they recommend. Technology takes a lot of time when you’re homeschooling and you want to choose the best for your kids’ education.
In fact, we have outsourced our math every single year that we homeschool! It’s the most convenient and affordable way to lessen my workload as the homeschool mom.
CTCMath has made it possible to do that, without worrying about falling behind, daily fights or even struggling to grade and record.
Reasons We Love CTCMath
- Full curriculum with video lessons that are NOT Common Core aligned and not taught “to the test”
- Bite-size lessons that are easy for kids to digest
- Easy-to-understand dashboard interface for parents, with weekly detailed progress reports emailed to you
- Work at your own pace (My kids often do 2 or 3 lessons a day!)
- Allows students to work independently, freeing up my own time
- Teaches in a clear manner, that’s easy to understand, even for struggling students
- CTCMath offers a 12-month money back guarantee! If you don’t love it, just email them for a full refund. (Honestly, what kind of company offers this kind of awesome guarantee!?!)
- Access to all levels, K-12. That means you can move on to the next level when you’re ready, no need to purchase the next level.
- Affordable rates for the whole family! Plus, a special offer for Homeschool Hideout readers: Get one year for half off! That means you can get a high-quality math curriculum for your entire family for under $200 per year! (HURRY! This offer is good for 3 DAYS ONLY!!!)
