Already Behind in Your Homeschool? What to Do When the Plan Falls Apart

October 5, 2026 by mediaangels Leave a Comment

Do you already feel behind? It doesn’t matter if this is week one, week three or even week twenty-three. Sometimes we feel like we’ve accomplished nothing when, in reality, homeschooling is so much more. Tune in for this episode of Vintage Homeschool Moms.

Already Behind in Your Homeschool by Week Three? ~ Episode 587

I hear this every fall. A mom writes me, or it happened to me more often than I care to admit… It is week three and the school year does not look like the plan I made in the summer!

Life happens. Sometimes unexpected company (I live in Florida) or someone was sick. Math books were lost more times than not or took forever. A well-meaning person at church asked how school was going, and I looked at my husband and thought, help! When he asked me what was wrong, I told him, we are already behind!

Hey friends. Thanks so much for joining me. I homeschooled five children for more than thirty-two years. Some weeks were peaceful, and some not so much. There might be the threat of putting them on the next shiny yellow bus that stopped at the end of our street, and I am not proud to admit that. But, even that day was a good day. I’m looking at this from a long lens now, but building character is not just for our kids but for ourselves as well.

Thanks so much to our sponsor for helping keep this show on the air.

One-page printable: http://vintagehomeschoolmoms.com

So – why are you behind?

That is what I had to ask myself, after enough years of doing this. Behind the week I wrote when I planned my six week unit study, when I felt hopeful. Behind a close family friend with older kids and no toddler. Behind an imaginary goal I had for myself that didn’t account for my father, who moved in the year my daughter got married?

I used to treat the planner like it was the boss. If I wrote math at a certain time and we missed it, I felt like I had failed. That is a hard way to live. And it is not how a home school works.

Routine Rather Than Rigid Schedule.

I am more routine rather than a rigid schedule. I have said that for years. After breakfast, we start school, and sometimes school in the form of a Bible story or a continuation of a read-aloud takes place. Then we do chores, the ones that take little time, and then school starts. If breakfast is late, we still start. If math happens after lunch because the morning fell apart, math still happened.

Our goal was to get the kids’ check-off sheets completed in a week’s time, but if it took longer, the subject and page went to the following week.

Did You Have School This Week?

If you prayed, or you opened the Bible. If somebody read. If math got done even once. If you had a conversation with a child that was not about a missing pencil. Then you had school. It may not look like the week you planned. Yet it was still a week of school.

I used to try to make up every page we skipped. All that did was make everyone miserable. If a skill matters, come back to it. Don’t invent extra work just to feel better. The shortcuts that worked for me were a selection of math problems. If the child had mastery, they could move on. Sure, practice makes perfect, and sometimes they need more practice, but we used math books that had a spiral approach; skills were retaught lesson to lesson, so if it was something they knew, we skipped those problems or added more if it was something that didn’t make sense to them or they found difficult.

If you use a Morning Crate (I did a podcast about what to pack in it for multi-aged students), then pack it for the week you are in – if it is going to be a very busy week, make it short. Take things out or leave them in for another day. Ten minutes is still a start. Do not skip the activity just because you cannot do the long version. Consistency is important.

I think that is the key. Skipping things makes us feel guilty, and truthfully, skipping is okay as long as it isn’t chronic. Tackling the hard subjects first is always a good thing, and my older teens did this before breakfast on their own! My second oldest and co-author on the Truth Seekers Mystery Series would rather write than do math. So, she did Math first thing in the morning before she came down for breakfast so that later in the afternoon she could devote herself to writing. Finding your child’s passion is another key.

If You Feel Stuck

Take a minute, with a nice cup of strong coffee if I have it, and reanalyze your curriculum. Look at what you are doing and ask, what is worth keeping? What can wait two weeks, and what may get tabled until the new year? What did I buy in August that is making it hard to complete my school day? One year I purchased a composer’s curriculum. I love Classical music, but I am not musical. I had grand ideas for teaching my children the classics: letting them listen to the music, pick out the instruments of the orchestra, and identify composers from their most notable pieces.

A great idea, but the wrong time to implement. I decided this would be a great unit for Christmas break. Let’s just say it wasn’t. I ended up keeping this for an end-of-year activity when things were winding down, and it was the perfect lesson for when the math books were completed for the year and projects were finished.

At different times, we had a four-day week. This shorter week was wonderful! It was a goal we could keep with one day to “make up school” or have an outing if we were caught up. Four days instead of five is a stretch; it made things go so much better, and yes, some days it was just three.

The thing is, school still got done, and my kids learned differently than most. I had the high achievers and the high achievers who struggled to read, to spell, or to do math. Yet all my now-adult children are successful. Three graduated from college with top honors and my math-before-breakfast daughter graduated college in three years. The other two own their own business.

I wish someone had told me that it was more important to spend time with my kids than to chase an elusive curriculum that isn’t going to get them to heaven!

If Someone Asks About Standards

Thankfully homeschooling is here to stay (please, Lord) and no one is as shocked about it like they were when I got started. You don’t owe anyone any details about how things are going, not at church or in the grocery line. I would say something like: we are covering what my child needs this year. We keep records. Thank you for caring.

I was with my daughter, who had four little ones, and someone rudely asked if they were all hers. I closed my eyes, waiting for her to say something snarky like, “No, there is a sale on aisle five.” Instead, she smiled sweetly and said, “Yes, all mine, and we homeschool, too!”

Friends, you homeschool for your kids, and it is a decision you and your spouse made together; it is no one else’s business. If you must, write down what your kids learned at the beginning of the year and what they know now at different times of the year. This is not for anyone but you.

Every year I thought we accomplished nothing was a year we did the most ever. We compiled a sampling of the children’s work one time a year – and when we did I couldn’t believe all we’d done – the next year we saved special papers or pictures from events during the year so I didn’t feel that way again!

Your life, your homeschool is your own. If that goal is weighing you down, move it back, you have my permission. Get rid of the busy work. Sometimes it is wonderful to have copy work, but other times it gets in the way. Focus on the most important things, family, relationship and God the rest will come into place.

Scripture

“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is thy faithfulness.”
— Lamentations 3:22–23, RSVCE

God’s love never ceases, and our love for our children is why we, as homeschool parents, make sacrifices. The blessings way outweigh anything we put into it. Just watch: week four will be amazing, and the next day and the next? Why? Because you have a new attitude. Attitude sets the tone. It starts with you and with me.

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More Listening

If this helps, share it with a friend. Until next time, be blessed. Have a blessed homeschool week!

Filed Under: Vintage Homeschool Moms Tagged With: feeling behind in homeschool, Felice Gerwitz, four-day school week, homeschool encouragement, homeschool mom, homeschool planning, homeschool routine, homeschool schedule, Sweet 13, vintage homeschool moms podcast

Organizational Tool for Homeschool High Schoolers with Rebecca Farris

September 14, 2026 by Vicki Tillman Leave a Comment

This week on Homeschool Highschool Podcast: Organizational Tool for Homeschool High Schoolers with Rebecca Farris.

Organizational Tool for Homeschool High Schoolers with Rebecca Farris

Working on getting organized now that the year has started, and you are finding out what is working and what is not? Congratulations! Today we are talking to Rebecca Farris, whose planners have been organizing homeschooling families for years!

Featured in this article:

Our 7SistersHomeschool meets Rebecca Farris story

Rebecca Farris’ story
Serving the homeschool community
Organizing Homeschooling teens and moms
Organizing homeschool high school
Chore charts and planners build lifetime rhythms
Each homeschooler is unique, so planning is unique to them
A planner is a tool no different than a hammer
How do high school planners work?
A hint of things to come
Contact Rebecca Farris and the Well Planned Gal

Our 7SistersHomeschool meets Rebecca Farris story

When we 7Sisters were new in the entrepreneurial business, we decided to participate as vendors at several homeschool conferences. At one of them, right across the walkway from us in the vendor hall, was a lovely, gracious, kind woman named Rebecca Farris, the Well-Planned Gal.

Rebecca and her kids were the most welcoming people ever. The memory of their kindness to the new vendors on the block has stayed with me for well over a decade.

That’s why Vicki was so excited to finally have a chance to talk to Rebecca on the Homeschool Highschool Podcast!

Rebecca Farris’ story

Rebecca was a first-generation homeschooler. Unfortunately, she did not have the best experience. In fact, as she grew up, she did not even want to get married or have kids. She said to herself, “I am just gonna go my way!”

From childhood, Rebecca was business-minded, so she planned on a career in corporate America. However, Providence had different plans for her!

Rebecca often says, as the Well Planned gal, her life did not go as planned, and that’s okay. She ended up getting married and having children after all. She had Jenny, my first child, followed by five kids within seven years.

When her youngest was four years old, Rebecca started thinking about preschool for her oldest. She had already taught her to read through playtime. So, she decided to wait another year.

Then kindergarten came, and she said, “Well, I’ll just wait one more year.” And so on.

They homeschooled one year at a time until suddenly, all five are grown, and she’s an empty nester.

Serving the homeschool community and her grandchildren

As a grandmother of five grandkids, Rebecca has had time to reflect on what she did right, what she did wrong, and what she wishes she had done. One of her key takeaways from her reflections is that she learned more than her kids through homeschooling.

I learned more than my kids through homeschooling. -Rebecca Farris

Rebecca also feels called to help other homeschool moms now that she is on the other side of it. She loves sharing the gifts God has given to her through homeschooling with homeschooling moms.

Organizing Homeschooling Teens and Moms

Rebecca receives questions from moms such as, “My teens haven’t learned how to organize their lives and their time.” Another frequent question is, “How can I get myself organized?”

Because Rebecca did not have a great homeschooling experience as a child, she decided to make sure her own kids had a wonderful time homeschooling. One way to do this is to make sure she was prepared and planned.

One of the tools she developed was a set of assessments to help homeschooling moms understand where their children were academically, as well as their personal achievements. This series is called Well Planned Start.

Organizing Homeschool High School

Rebecca reminds homeschooling moms that every single high schooler is different:

They learn differently.
They make decisions differently.
They value different things.

“The best thing you can do as a parent is to understand your teens.”- Rebecca Farris

She helps moms appreciate each teen’s uniqueness and leverage what they know about them to motivate them to :

Do their chores and schoolwork
Learn time management
Grow into responsible humans

Some of the tools that Rebecca makes available are chore charts and planners for teens, so that teens and moms can find the best fit for that unique homeschooler.

Chore Charts and Planners Build Lifetime Rhythms

One benefit of training children and teens to use charts and/or planners is helping them build a neural structure of daily routines and rhythms.

Rebecca remembers working with her oldest daughter, who was not a naturally organized child, to understand the routines of daily and school-year life. She would work with her to help her understand the end goals for every school year. At a young age, Rebecca also worked with her daughter on internalizing daily rhythms and routines such as:

Brushing her teeth
Washing her face
Making her bed
Having a Morning Five devotion time

Rebecca remembers the day that her daughter got married. She went up to her daughter’s bedroom and asked, “Hey, what are you doing?”

Her daughter replied, “I’m almost finished with my five.”

She is an adult and still doing the same practice! It was internalized.

Each homeschooler is unique, so planning is unique to them

One of Rebecca’s daughters was “super smart but super quiet, very introverted”. She did not need to long-term plan. Rather, she just needed to know the plan for today. So, Rebecca would help her each morning assess what happened the day before and make the plan for the day.

This daughter’s planner was a tactile way to help her keep her “boots on the ground”, as Rebecca called it. She could keep an eye on and celebrate each day’s progress.

One of Rebecca’s sons needed to move freely to learn. Rebecca photocopied his planner and posted it on the wall. He would walk around and occasionally, throughout the day, check his progress on his own planner on the wall.

A planner is a tool no different than a hammer

A planner is a tool no different than a hammer. How do we use a hammer? There are a thousand ways to use a hammer. You must read the situation, and then you adjust how you use it. However, in the end, hammers are used to hit a nail in some way.

Planners are tools. There are lots of ways to adapt planners to our kids’ needs. In the end, when you use a planner, you write down what needs to be done. Then you acknowledge what was completed.

How do high school planners work?

Teens are not simply completing their academic credits. They are preparing for life. Planners can reflect this by including:

Academics
Relationships
Responsibilities such as chores or other obligations
Time management
Career preparation such as apprenticeships or entrepreneurship
Sports and other extracurriculars

By using a well-rounded planner, teens learn self-management and build practice for life success.

A hint of things to come

Rebecca has many homeschooling-related projects. She dropped a little teaser about some new federal legislation. This legislation provides a way for homeschooling to be 100% funded by our taxes. Rebecca is part of a team that is building the infrastructure right now. She hints that in 2027, every single homeschooler will have the opportunity to have their curriculum, enrichment, supplies, and technology fully funded. To find out more, check out the latest information at her Curious Mind Network.

Contact Rebecca Farris and the Well Planned Gal

Visit Well Planned Gal for resources and how-tos for teens and moms

More on planning and life skills from 7SistersHomeschool and Homeschool Highschool Podcast

Come join the 7SistersHomeschool Facebook group, where you can share questions or cool things that you have learned.

Thank you to Seth Tillman for editing.

Filed Under: Homeschool Highschool Tagged With: homeschool high school, Homeschool Highschool Podcast, homeschool planning, Rebecca Farris

Special Replay: Why You’ve Fallen Behind In Your Homeschool Plan

March 31, 2026 by Melanie Wilson Leave a Comment

🌿 This episode is proudly sponsored by Eden’s Table — a Christ-centered herbalism curriculum for K-5 homeschool families. One plant a week, woven through Bible, science, history, art, and Latin.

Try a free week →

📚 Part of our guide: Homeschool Burnout

How to Get Back on Track in Your Homeschool When You’ve Fallen Behind

A sanity-saving plan for overwhelmed homeschool moms

Have you fallen behind in your homeschool plan and now avoid opening your planner because it feels too discouraging?

You’re not alone.

In this episode of The Homeschool Sanity Show, Dr. Melanie Wilson explains why so many homeschool moms fall behind—even when they start the year with the best intentions—and what to do when your homeschool plan no longer matches real life. If you’ve ever looked at your lesson plans and thought, There is absolutely no way we’re getting all of this done, this episode is for you.

If you’ve been feeling behind, discouraged, or quietly tempted to pretend your planner doesn’t exist… this episode will help.

🎧 Listen now

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

More Episodes on Planning

Sponsored by CTCMath.com

Why Homeschool Moms Fall Behind

One of the biggest reasons homeschool plans unravel is something called the planning fallacy.

The planning fallacy is a common human thinking error that causes us to underestimate how long things will take, even when we’ve done them before and should know better. In homeschooling, that might look like:

assuming a science experiment will only take 30 minutes
believing you can finish two full language programs in one year
thinking you can get to co-op faster “this time”
forgetting how long math or writing lessons actually take

Dr. Wilson points out that many homeschool moms also deal with optimism bias—that tendency to believe that this time things will magically go more smoothly than they have in the past. And while optimism can be helpful, it can also lead to unrealistic homeschool planning.

Why Your Homeschool Plans Keep Falling Apart

If you’ve ever wondered, Why do I keep doing this to myself?—there are actually some understandable reasons.

According to the episode, homeschool moms often fall behind because they:

1. Plan using the best-case scenario

You assume every light will be green, no child will melt down, and the printer will behave.

2. Want to believe the plan will work

It feels better to make a hopeful plan than to admit you probably cannot do everything on your wishlist this year.

3. Misremember how long things took last time

You remember the math lesson taking 10 minutes when it actually took 20.

4. Assume this year will be different

You tell yourself:

I’m more organized now
The kids are older
This curriculum is easier

Maybe. But maybe not.

5. Plan too far ahead

It’s much easier to plan a realistic week than an idealized full school year.

6. Forget about interruptions

Homeschooling rarely happens in a vacuum. Life happens:

kids get sick
appliances break
dogs escape
people need help
emotions show up

That doesn’t mean you’re bad at homeschooling. It means you’re homeschooling in real life.How to Get Back on Track in Your Homeschool

The good news? You do not need to throw out your homeschool plan completely.

You just need a better one.

Here are the key strategies Dr. Melanie Wilson shares for getting back on track:

1. Plan Using the Worst-Case Scenario

Instead of assuming everything will go perfectly, estimate based on what usually happens on a normal or difficult day.

A simple way to do this:

estimate how long something should take
then double it
or at least split the difference between best case and reality

If a science experiment “should” take one hour, plan for two—or at least one and a half.

That may feel pessimistic, but it’s actually more honest and much more useful.

2. Accept That You Can’t Do Everything This Year

This one stings a little—but it’s freeing.

Sometimes the best way to get back on track is to stop trying to fit everything into this school year.

Instead:

make a list of “not this year” ideas
save great projects or extras for later
choose what matters most right now

That doesn’t mean you’ve failed. It means you’re prioritizing.

3. Start Timing Your Homeschool Activities

One of the easiest ways to plan more realistically is to stop guessing.

Try timing:

your math lessons
science labs
writing assignments
read-aloud time
transitions between subjects

This gives you actual data instead of wishful thinking.

And yes… it may be mildly humbling 😅
But it’s incredibly helpful.

4. Learn From Last Year Instead of Ignoring It

Ask yourself:

What consistently slowed us down last year?
What took longer than I expected?
What parts of our day always felt harder than planned?
What routines still aren’t working?

If your homeschool day still tends to start late…
If your kids still dawdle…
If you still hate setting up science supplies…

That matters.

Past patterns are often better predictors than future hopes.

5. Plan for the Short Term

If yearly planning keeps overwhelming you, try shifting to:

quarterly planning
monthly planning
weekly planning
even daily planning if needed

Short-term planning can feel more manageable and more realistic.

It also gives you a chance to adjust before things spiral too far off course.

6. Build Margin Into Your Homeschool Plan

This may be the most sanity-saving strategy of all.

Dr. Wilson encourages homeschool moms to leave margin in their plans—intentional open space for the unexpected.

That might look like:

leaving one hour unscheduled each day
keeping one lighter day each week
leaving one week open each month
creating “catch-up” space instead of packing every day full

This is so important because real life always shows up eventually.

And when it does, margin helps you recover without feeling like the entire year is ruined.

What to Do If You’re Already Behind in Your Homeschool

If you’re already behind, here’s your gentle reset plan:

Start here:

Open the planner
Don’t panic
Don’t try to catch up on everything at once

Then:

Ask:

What absolutely still needs to happen this year?
What can be simplified?
What can be dropped?
What keeps getting in the way?

Then do this:

revise your expectations
shorten your planning window
add margin
move forward from today, not from where you “should” be

That’s how you get back on track.

Not with guilt.
Not with overloading tomorrow.
But with a better plan.

Final Encouragement

Falling behind in your homeschool plan doesn’t mean you’re failing.

It usually just means your plan was built for an ideal life… and you’re living a real one.

The goal is not to create a perfect homeschool year.

The goal is to build a homeschool life that actually works.

And that starts by planning with reality, grace, and a little more margin.

Have a happy homeschool week!

Be sure to subscribe to the show for regular updates and planning resources!

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Filed Under: The Homeschool Sanity Show Tagged With: homeschool organization, homeschool planner, homeschool planning, homeschool planning tips

Fine-Tune Your Homeschool Day: Small Tweaks for a Smoother Routine

September 1, 2025 by mediaangels Leave a Comment

📚 Part of our guide: Homeschool Organization

Are you ready to take your homeschooling up a notch? Fine-tuning your homeschool day takes no time but just a little bit of effort. In this podcast, Felice Gerwitz shares how to balance and structure your day with flexible alternatives.

Fine-Tuning Your Homeschool Day – Balancing Structure and Flexibility ~ Episode 566

Welcome back to Vintage Homeschool Moms! In this follow-up to our episode, A Great Start to Your Homeschool Day, we’re diving deeper into creating a homeschool pace that works for your family. Listen, we are all different, and I can describe for you the perfect homeschool day that would work for me, yet not for you. Since we can’t sit across the table from each other and talk, this is the next best thing. I can make some suggestions, and you can decide what works best for you.

Thanks to our sponsor, NowPrograms.com

In homeschooling, there is no one-size-fits-all. Homeschooling is often tailored to your child, your family, and your specific needs. In a large homeschool family, this idea may not be as child-specific, but you can still get your day in some semblance of order and end the day feeling happier for it.

First, analyze how you feel at the end of the day. Does your day feel chaotic, overly rigid, or packed to the brim? Today’s episode, Fine-Tuning Your Homeschool Day: Balancing Structure and Flexibility, is all about refining your approach to make homeschooling sustainable, productive, and joyful. Yes, friends, joy can be had in your homeschool days. I get it; some days are just ordeals. However, after many years of tweaking my homeschooling days, I developed a method that worked for us, and that is what I want to share with you today. How to find what works for you.

I’m excited to share practical strategies to help you blend routines, schedules, and a positive mindset, resulting in a day that flows smoothly. We can only hope and pray, isn’t that right? I also want to discuss the results from our last episode of Vintage Homeschool Moms, specifically the Homeschool Day Self-Evaluation Quiz (from Episode 565). If you missed this episode, you can listen to it first. It is not necessary, but it would be helpful. That episode is A Great Start To Your Homeschool.

I’ll also want to provide some ideas on how to adapt to challenges, utilize some inexpensive tools effectively, and prioritize downtime to keep your family learning yet thriving. Maybe you haven’t started homeschooling, or you are in the middle of the year and just found this episode. No worries! I believe that every day can be a fresh start to shape the type of homeschool experience that reflects your values and your kids’ needs.

This episode builds on the foundation laid in our previous discussion about starting your homeschool day with intention. We’ll use insights from the 20-question True or False quiz (available at Vintage Homeschool Moms) to help you identify whether your day is chaotic, scheduled, routine-based, rigid, over-scheduled, or working well. From there, we’ll dive into actionable steps to fine-tune your approach, ensuring your homeschool year is both effective and enjoyable. Let’s get started!

Why Fine-Tuning Matters

Every homeschool family is unique, and a one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t work. Fine-tuning your day means finding the balance between structure and flexibility that suits your family’s needs. In our last episode, we discussed how your attitude is so important in shaping your day and how routines, schedules, and checklists provide a sense of stability. Today, we’re taking it a step further by helping you refine your day based on your quiz results. Whether your day feels like a whirlwind or a rigid checklist, small tweaks can reduce stress, boost productivity, and make room for joy. A well-tuned homeschool day allows you to focus on what matters—learning, family connection, and faith—without feeling overwhelmed.

Analyzing Your Quiz Results

The Homeschool Day Self-Evaluation Quiz highlighted the following important points and helped you to identify six day types: chaotic, scheduled, routine-based, rigid, over-scheduled, or a day that is working well. Here’s what each means:

Chaotic Day: Late starts, skipped subjects, or unpredictable mornings signal a lack of structure, leading to frustration.
Scheduled Day: A fixed timetable for subjects provides predictability but may feel restrictive if too rigid.
Routine-Based Day: Consistent habits, like morning chores or read-alouds, offer flow without strict timing.
Rigid Day: Sticking to a plan despite interruptions can stifle spontaneity and teachable moments.
Over-Scheduled Day: Too many activities that exhaust everyone, leaving no room for rest or play.
Working Well Day: A balanced, productive, and joyful day means you’re on the right track.

Listen, a working well day can be a rigid day, or an overly scheduled day if that makes you and your kids happy! So, go with what works best for you. However, when you review your quiz answers, you might note one or two areas to improve. For example, a chaotic day needs a morning routine, while an over-scheduled day requires cutting non-essentials. Use these insights to guide the strategies below.

Blending Routines and Schedules – Helpful Ideas

The key to a great homeschool day is mixing it up! Try blending routines for some flexibility with schedules for accountability. Routines create consistent habits without being tied to a clock, while schedules ensure academic progress. Here’s how to combine them:

Morning Routine: Start with about 10 minutes of family time—pray and review your goals for the day. Afterwards, have breakfast with the children, asking them to share one fun thing they’d like to accomplish after they finish their schoolwork. This sets a positive tone.
Core Subject Schedule: Assign time blocks for essentials (e.g., math from 9:00-9:45 AM, reading from 10:00-10:45 AM). Keep blocks short (30-45 minutes for younger kids, 60 minutes for older ones).
Flexible Routines: Incorporate habits like post-lunch quiet time or afternoon art projects to help maintain a balanced routine. These can be adjusted as needed, but maintaining predictability may be helpful. Many kids like to know what is happening each day.
Checklists: Use grade-appropriate checklists (available in all homeschool planners at mediaangels.com/store) to track daily and weekly goals, giving kids autonomy. I wanted my children to become as self-sufficient. This means that if I get distracted or busy, they can continue their schoolwork and accomplish the day’s goals.

When I homeschooled, we used schedules for academics but routines for chores and family time. If a subject ran long, we’d adjust non-academic routines, like delaying a read-aloud. This balance kept us on track without feeling overwhelmed or a slave to our schedule.

Adapting to Challenges

Homeschool days are unpredictable—spills, arguments, or a child’s curiosity can disrupt plans. Adapting without losing momentum is crucial. Try these tips:

Buffers for Interruptions: Add 10-15 minute gaps between time blocks. If a toddler spills juice, you can handle it without derailing the day.
Teachable Moments: If a child asks about the planets or stargazing during math, pause briefly or note it for later. Flexibility fuels curiosity. I would write things down so we would not forget!
Energy Management: Schedule high-energy subjects (like math) in the morning and lighter ones (like art) in the afternoon to match energy levels. Everyone is fresh in the morning, but after lunch, a noticeable decline may occur. That is when I tried to schedule activities that were not so brain-intensive!
Mindset: When disruptions frustrate you, work on being as calm as possible for your kids. I would close my eyes and say something like, “Thank you, Jesus, and please help us!” Then, we’d fix the issue and move on. I can’t emphasize how important your attitude is, because it becomes contagious! I didn’t realize I said, “Alrighty, then!” Until my kids started saying it as well. When you wonder why they pick up your bad habits, consider these may be the ones you model the most.

For chaotic days, start with one routine, like a consistent wake-up time. On rigid days, allow one time block to be flexible for spontaneous learning. These adjustments create a change that is enough to keep the kids engaged, while also making your children who like to be scheduled happy.

Using Tools Effectively

Tools like planners and checklists streamline your day and empower kids to take ownership of their tasks. Here’s how to maximize them:

Daily Checklists: Create subject and chore checklists for each child. Templates in all of the Planners at mediaangels.com/store make this easy. Kids love checking off tasks! Or create your own. Make a grid of the subjects on the left, the time you will do the subject, and a Monday-Friday grid with a place to check off the task. It’s super easy to create in a Word document or Google Docs. Print it out and give one to each child. You can make this as complicated or as simple as you like. Older teens can make their own.
Weekly Goal Sheets: Set 3-5 goals per subject weekly (e.g., “Complete 4 math lessons”). Review Fridays to celebrate and adjust. We used our check-off lists as a way for the children to earn the privilege of selecting a movie or game for the family to enjoy. Sometimes, no one earned the privilege, and sometimes multiple children did. Use what works best for your family. My family is super competitive, so they loved the challenge.
Visual Aids: Post routines on a kitchen whiteboard or use apps for family schedules to keep everyone aligned. We used a shared Google calendar, and I would update it with sports practice and other events so that everyone had the information handy, especially us parents!
Monthly Reviews: Assess what’s working. Are checklists too detailed? Is the schedule too tight? Tweak based on quiz feedback. Here is another quiz you can take. It is an assessment for the beginning and middle of the school year, examining various factors that can benefit your homeschool. Organized Homeschool.

Checklists were a lifesaver in my homeschool, keeping us focused without micromanaging. They’re simple yet effective for tracking progress. Best of all, they can be printed out and used as a resource for yearly evaluations at the end of the school year.

Prioritizing Downtime and Joy

Over-scheduling drains families, leaving no room for rest or connection. To keep homeschooling sustainable, prioritize downtime:

Limit Activities: Stick to 4-5 core daily tasks (e.g., math, reading, one chore, one fun activity). Decline extra co-ops if they overwhelm you. If they are something your family enjoys, be sure to use it as a way to enrich your homeschool.
Schedule Breaks: Include a 30-minute quiet time after lunch for reading, naps, or play to recharge.
Add Fun Routines: Incorporate a daily nature walk or weekly game night to strengthen bonds.
Positive Attitude: Start with a gratitude prayer to set a calm tone. Your faith and prayers help kids feel secure. My children would often offer to pray, which was so beneficial for the entire family.

If your quiz results showed over-scheduling, list all activities and analyze them to see if it is possible to cut one or two. Replace them with as you can. Balance is key! My daughter would homeschool year-round and take off blocks of time to fit her schedule. That helped her limit the number of academics during a specific period of time to allow for more family time. Do what works for your family!

Making It Your Own

Fine-tuning is about tailoring your day to your family. Focus on one improvement—such as adding a routine, loosening a schedule, or cutting back on activities. Experiment for a week, then tweak again. Your attitude sets the tone—start fresh, model resilience, and celebrate the wins. Homeschooling is a journey, so embrace the flexibility to make it your own! If you are mirroring the school at home, it tends to be tedious and unsustainable in the long run.

Relevant Past Episodes

For more insights on creating a great homeschool year, check out these Vintage Homeschool Moms episodes:

Best Homeschool Planning Tips (Episode #214): Learn simple planning tips to start your year strong, focusing on balancing school with life using checklists and goal-setting strategies.
Organized Homeschool: Felice and Meredith Curtis share wisdom on organizing your homeschool with practical tools, such as binders, totes, and schedules, to create a productive year. This includes a beginning and middle of the year check up!
Homeschooling Secrets (Episode #490): Discover top tips from Felice’s 32 years of homeschooling, including how to structure your year for academic success and family harmony.

Don’t Forget!

Download the Character Counts planners at mediaangels.com/store. This is a great way to encourage and practice good character traits as a family. There are activities for the entire family and scenarios to act out.

Share your favorite routine or tip on social media with #VintageHomeschoolMoms. Subscribe for more episodes, and join us next time to explore fostering independence in your homeschoolers. Keep it up, moms—you’ve got this!

Filed Under: Vintage Homeschool Moms Tagged With: Christian parenting, Felice Gerwitz, flexible homeschooling, homeschool encouragement, homeschool planning, homeschool routines, parenting, Vintage Homeschool moms

Start Your Homeschool Day Right: Morning Routines That Set the Tone for Success

August 25, 2025 by mediaangels Leave a Comment

📚 Part of our guide: Homeschool Organization

What are your goals for this school year? I bet you want a great start to your homeschool day, and in this podcast, we discuss ways to take control of the chaos or schedule overload and enjoy a successful day every day. Join your host, Felice Gerwitz, and listen in for key points and a quick quiz to get you started. A Great Start to Your Homeschool Day

Thanks to our sponsor! CTCMath.com – yes, they are an amazing math company and I can attest to it as my grandchildren and now using it and love it.

Your Homeschool Day ~ Episode 565

Whether it’s day one, day 21, or day 101, each homeschool day offers a fresh start. Over the years, I’ve learned that our attitude shapes how the day begins and, ultimately, how it ends. Our children pick up on our cues, and while that may feel like a lot of pressure, it’s valuable to keep in mind. A positive mindset can set the tone for a productive and joyful day.

I begin each day with prayer, praising God for having a way of turning my day around. I keep that mental praise going even when I don’t feel like being thankful, and especially when all appears to be going south. You get what I mean! As moms, we carry many burdens and wear many hats. But praising God is a sure way to get your day off to a good start. So, once you get your mental work down, what about the physical?

Relevant Past Episodes

For more insights on creating a great homeschool year, check out these Vintage Homeschool Moms episodes:

Best Homeschool Planning Tips (Episode #214): Learn simple planning tips to start your year strong, focusing on balancing school with life using checklists and goal-setting strategies.
Dejunking and Homeschool Organization Felice and Meredith Curtis share years of experience in homeschooling, and now, they discuss great tips for getting your life organized and not losing those precious treasures or important documents.

Homeschool Day Reality

Do you have routines, a schedule, or another method to navigate your homeschool day? If your days feel chaotic, consider revising or implementing a structure. Routines always worked best for me, but I also used a structured schedule for academic classes tailored to my children’s grade levels. These were completed daily, alongside weekly goals. Checklists were incredibly helpful for staying organized and ensuring progress. You can find useful printable planners and checklists at mediaangels.com/store to support your homeschool journey.

By blending routines for flexibility and schedules for accountability, you can create a balanced day that suits your family. Start each morning with intention, and watch how small changes transform your homeschool experience into one that’s both effective and enjoyable.

Just for fun, I have a quick self-evaluation for you to take. Typically, I’m not a fan, but this will help you figure out where you can improve your day. And, with improvement comes success, happiness for a job well done, and for me, a sense of accomplishment. Many times, we struggle without putting our finger on the “why” behind the problem. In this way, taking a quick assessment may be just what you need to figure out what you can do, incrementally, to create a well-run homeschool day!

Homeschool Day Self-Evaluation Quiz

This True or False quiz helps homeschool moms assess their daily structure. Answer honestly based on your typical day to determine if it’s chaotic, scheduled, routine-based, rigid, over-scheduled, or working well. Mark True (T) or False (F) for each of the 20 questions.

1. My homeschool day often starts late due to rushing.
2. I follow a fixed timetable for subjects (e.g., math from 9-10 AM).
3. We have consistent habits, like morning chores before lessons, but adjust times.
4. I stick to the schedule even if interruptions, like a child’s question, arise.
5. Our day is packed with back-to-back activities, lessons, and errands.
6. Mornings feel productive and calm, setting a positive tone.
7. Unexpected events, like spills or tantrums, derail the entire day.
8. I use daily checklists for academic goals, completed at my kids’ pace.
9. We have flexible learning blocks, but the order stays consistent.
10. Plan changes, like skipping a subject, make me anxious.
11. Afternoons feel exhausting from too many co-ops, sports, or extras.
12. Our homeschool rhythm allows time for work and fun.
13. I often skip subjects due to no clear plan.
14. We set and track weekly goals with planners or apps.
15. Daily rituals, like reading aloud after lunch, keep things steady.
16. I rarely deviate from the agenda, even for teachable moments.
17. We cram in multiple subjects and outings, leaving no downtime.
18. I feel satisfied daily that we’ve accomplished what matters.
19. Mornings are unpredictable, with kids scattered and no clear start.
20. We have a structured outline but include buffers for flexibility.

Free Download – Homeschool Matters

Answer Key and Interpretation

Count your “True” answers for each category. The category with the most “True” responses likely describes your homeschool day (ties suggest a hybrid style). Below are explanations and suggestions inspired by homeschool practices like routines, schedules, and checklists.

Chaotic Day (Questions 1, 7, 13, 19): 3+ True = Your day lacks structure, causing stress. Suggestions: Start with simple routines, like a fixed morning start. Use checklists from mediaangels.com/store for organization. Set a positive tone with a family huddle.
Scheduled Day (Questions 2, 8, 14): 2+ True = You have a predictable academic timetable. Suggestions: Add flexibility with weekly goals alongside daily slots. Use grade-appropriate checklists for tracking. Blend in routines for non-academic tasks if too strict.
Routine-Based Day (Questions 3, 9, 15): 2+ True = Your day flows with adaptable habits. Suggestions: Enhance with light scheduling for core subjects. Use chore charts or goal sheets from mediaangels.com/store. Include breaks to avoid burnout.
Rigid Day (Questions 4, 10, 16): 2+ True = Your structure may be too inflexible. Suggestions: Add buffers (e.g., 15-minute flex time). Shift to routines for daily habits, keeping schedules for academics. View deviations as opportunities, using checklists for priorities.
Over-Scheduled Day (Questions 5, 11, 17): 2+ True = Your day is packed, risking exhaustion. Suggestions: Cut non-essentials to 4-5 core activities daily. Add downtime routines, like quiet reading. Use planners from mediaangels.com/store to streamline.
Working Well Day (Questions 6, 12, 18, 20): 3+ True = Your day is balanced and enjoyable. Suggestions: Maintain with monthly reviews. Combine routines and light schedules. Share positive cues with kids and explore mediaangels.com/store for tools.

If answers are mixed, try a hybrid approach: routines for flow, schedules for academics, and checklists for accountability. You can take this quiz at different times during the year, so bookmark this podcast to review at another time. Next week, we will tackle Fine-Tuning Your Homeschool Day: Balancing Structure and Flexibility. This builds on today’s topics with some quick takeaways to help your busy day run smoothly.

For more tips, listen to Vintage Homeschool Moms podcast episodes on organization.

Filed Under: Vintage Homeschool Moms Tagged With: advice for homeschooling, homeschool day, homeschool encouragement, homeschool moms, homeschool new year, homeschool organization, homeschool planning, homeschool routines, homeschool schedules, Homeschooling Podcast, homeschooling tips, new homeschool year, Vintage Homeschool moms

Why the NIV Application Bible Is a Homeschool Mom’s Best Friend

July 2, 2025 by Ultimate Homeschool Leave a Comment

As homeschool moms, we’re always seeking tools that enrich our children’s learning—and deepen our own faith. That’s why the NIV Application Bible is such a treasure. It’s more than just Scripture—it’s a bridge from ancient truths to today’s real-life application.

🧠 1. Original Meaning Meets Real Life

Original Meaning Notes unpack the historical context and cultural background of each passage—essential when introducing kids to ancient worlds.
Application Notes translate Scripture into practical daily lessons. These thoughtful commentaries give questions and prompts that help your family live the Word—not just read it.

📘 2. Kid-Friendly Features Spark Engagement

Homeschool bloggers highlight how maps, timelines, and visuals make biblical stories come alive:

45+ in-text color maps and 50+ charts help kids visualize geography and timelines.
Book introductions, “People to Know,” and “Character of God” articles enrich lessons with stories and character studies—perfect for family discussions.

💡 3. Encourages Lifelong Faith Habits

Top homeschool voices emphasize that Bible study should be a lived, consistent habit—not just a “subject.”

It becomes a daily discipline, woven into life through intentional reading, reflection, and discussion.
The NIV Application Bible’s “Questions for Growth” in every chapter encourages personal reflection—for you and your children.

🌟 4. Beautiful, Usable Design

The Bible is thoughtfully designed to support family study:

Full-color layout, with words of Jesus in red plus two ribbon markers and the elegant Comfort Print® typeface.
It’s visually inviting for both beginners and seasoned readers, creating a joyful study experience.

✅ 5. Ideal for All Ages & Stages

The notes adapt beautifully to different learning levels:

Powerful for kids and teens, offering enough visual and narrative content to maintain their interest.
Insightful for moms seeking deeper application of scripture in daily life.

📅 6. Flexible Reading Plans

With reading guides arranged thematically, yearly, or over three years, the Bible adapts to any rhythm:

Perfect for customizing to your semester or heart-set focus—especially useful in homeschool planning.

Collective Review Summar of the NIV Application Bible

🏡 Homeschool Suitability

Many homeschooling parents appreciate this Bible for its balance of Scripture and application, aiding in both academic and spiritual education. Its resources can complement various teaching styles, from structured lessons to more discussion-based approaches.

👍 Pros

Engaging for Students: The application-focused notes can make Bible study more relatable and engaging for younger readers.
Supports Independent Learning: The study aids and notes can assist students in developing their own understanding, promoting independent study skills.
Versatile for Different Ages: While it’s comprehensive enough for high school students, the clear language and explanations also make it accessible for middle schoolers.

Final Thoughts

For the homeschool mom who wants both biblical literacy and life-shaping application, the NIV Application Bible offers a rich, engaging resource for the whole family. It’s not just a study tool—it’s a guide to living Scripture in your home.

🔗 Explore the NIV Application Bible

Visit thenivapplicationbible.com to learn more—and consider sharing this resource with your homeschool community!

Filed Under: Blog, Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Tagged With: Bible application, Bible curriculum, Bible for homeschool moms, Bible with maps and charts, biblical literacy, Christian homeschool, devotional tools for moms, faith-based homeschooling, Family Discipleship, homeschool Bible study, homeschool encouragement, homeschool planning, homeschooling tools, NIV Application Bible, study Bible for moms

Summer School That Doesn’t Feel Like School

June 11, 2025 by mediaangels Leave a Comment

🌞 Summer School That Doesn’t Feel Like School

Is it possible to keep the learning going this summer without the eye rolls and groans? Can we really have summer school that doesn’t feel like school?

Absolutely.

If your homeschool feels like it’s barely recovered from the spring chaos, the idea of “summer school” might sound like too much. But what if summer learning could be relaxed, flexible, and even… fun?

We’ve rounded up easy ways to weave learning into your summer—without a single workbook (unless your kiddo loves those). These ideas blend real-world discovery, family connection, and creativity—and they’re all inspired by our favorite summer-themed podcast episodes from the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

🎒 1. Take Learning Outside

Trade desks for dirt! Nature walks, gardening, and scavenger hunts all build observation, classification, and reasoning skills. Plus, they’re screen-free and sibling-friendly.

🎧 Listen to this episode for ideas:
Outdoor Fun for Summer – Vintage Homeschool Moms

Grab the Creation Camp Digital Download: Each day you study one day of God’s amazing Creation! One Week of Full Activities or break it up into a longer period of time. Your choice.

✈️ 2. Go on a Virtual Adventure

Too hot to play outside? No problem. Take a virtual field trip to a National Park, art museum, or historical site. Make it interactive by having your child journal their “trip” or draw postcards from the places they explore.

🎧 Try this episode:
Virtual Field Trips and Online Resources – Vintage Homeschool Moms

🛠 3. Let Curiosity Lead the Way

Summer is the perfect time to lean into your child’s interests. Whether it’s space, insects, or baking, follow that rabbit trail! You’re still teaching research, logic, and communication—you’re just sneaking it in.

🎧 Episode idea:
Using Tech for Summer Learning – Homeschooling with Technology

📚 4. Make Reading an Adventure

Start a summer reading challenge! Set a family goal, visit the library weekly, or choose books to match upcoming vacations. Let kids earn badges, treats, or screen time.

🎧 Get inspired by this episode:
Books for Summer – Vintage Homeschool Moms

✍️ 5. Keep Writing Light & Creative

Forget the five-paragraph essay. Try a summer writing challenge with silly prompts like “If my shoes could talk…” or “A squirrel runs for mayor.” You’ll build skills and spark imagination—without pressure; maybe even write a book!

🎧 Perfect episode:
Summer Writing Challenge – Vintage Homeschool Moms

🎙 BONUS: Let Podcasts Teach for You

Need a break from being “the teacher” for a while? Let our Just for Kids audio episodes do the heavy lifting!

These short, engaging podcast episodes are designed specifically for younger learners. They build character, faith, and critical thinking—all while giving you 15-20 minutes of quiet time.

🎧 Start here:
Soldier Lessons – Just for Kids
Power of Words – Just for Kids
Gratitude – Just for Kids

Science Fun (blog post): Waterpressure!

Explore the full Just for Kids series on Vintage Homeschool Moms

🌞 Final Thoughts

Summer doesn’t have to be a break from learning—it can be a break into a new way of learning.

Let it be fun. Let it be flexible. And let us help.

Want more ideas like these delivered to your inbox? Subscribe here and get bonus downloads and updates from our network of homeschool moms and mentors.

Visit our Network Sponsor, Judson College.

At Judson College, students are equipped to give their lives for the cause of Christ—whether that’s on the mission field, in the workplace, or in the local church. With more than 25 majors and innovative bachelor’s-to-master’s tracks, Judson prepares young adults with both biblical grounding and professional skills. Learn more at JudsonCollege.com.

Filed Under: Blog, Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Tagged With: faith-based homeschooling, family learning ideas, homeschool activities, homeschool encouragement, homeschool moms, homeschool planning, homeschool podcasts, homeschool summer ideas, Just for Kids series, learning through summer, relaxed homeschool, summer homeschool, summer learning tips, summer school fun, Vintage Homeschool moms

The Best Homeschool Planning Tips for a Smoother Year (Replay)

December 16, 2024 by mediaangels Leave a Comment

Best Homeschool Planning Tips Episode #214

The best homeschool planning tips are the ones we often forget. With this simple outline your year will begin with a great start! Often, what we do is we get laser focused on school and forget we have a life. We are so excited we have our books – our schedule laid out and then when the afternoon rolls around we are FREAKED OUT we don’t have anything planned for dinner. In this episode I cover three simple guidelines.

Visit our podcast sponsor! NOW Programs.

Show Notes: The Best Homeschool Planning Tips

The best advice I can give you about planning your school year is don’t forget about the REST of your life.

God
Spouse
School
Meals
Laundry
Meals
Doctors
Field Trips

Do take time to plan your entire year – yes, your year

Do you seasonal themes especially if you school younger children – older children love this too.
Do plan breaks and save days for field trips as they come up
Do plan time for family chores
Do plan time for meal prep – mega cooking and FREEZE or can
Utilize cooking in your schedule –

3. Think through things once and forget it!

Just like the crock pot recipe commercials would say the set it and forget it – the same thing with your planning.

School Schedule. Times!
1. Break fail – after lunch very hard to get back to work
  1. Finish math – or writing projects
  2. Science experiments
  3. Read
2. Year End Notebook
  1. Keep work samples for each subject ALL YEAR LONG
  2. Put in pocket sheets and clear vinyl slip sheets to keep things like pictures, samples of math, writing, history, and science papers. Art projects etc.

Tests and progress

Go out bag. Put in all the things you will need. Pick it up and go. If you have older kids put a laminated card on the outside and someone can double check the bag to be sure nothing wandered out or was not replaced. (Tell forgetting diaper bag – had the baby!)
1. One for field trips
2. One for the park
3. One for church
Chore chart –
Meals
Laundry Day

🎓 Resources from Media Angels: For more on this, explore Organize IT Planners from Media Angels.

Filed Under: Vintage Homeschool Moms Tagged With: homeschool planning, homeschool podcast, planning, Vintage Homeschool moms

Nurturing Your Children | A Guide to Homeschooling Success | Free Planner!

September 1, 2023 by Ultimate Homeschool Leave a Comment

Hey there, students and parents! September is here, and it’s that time of year when we get back to school, whether it’s in a classroom or at home. This month, let’s set some goals and aim for greatness in our homeschooling journey. Imagine unlocking your full potential and making learning a fun adventure with your children!

Tailoring Education to Your Child

One of the amazing things about homeschooling is that you can customize your learning experience. You get to choose the curriculum and schedule that works best for you and your child. This allows your child to focus on absorbing and understanding information at their own pace.

Recognizing Strengths and Working on Weaknesses in Your Children, Self, and Homeschool

We all have things we’re great at and areas where we could improve. Homeschooling allows us to identify our strengths and weaknesses and work on both. By doing this, we can grow in every aspect of our lives, not just academically.

Developing a Love for Learning in Your Children

As homeschooling parents, we want our children to love learning. And that’s not limited to textbooks! We’re also interested in nurturing their character and values. Learning is not just about facts; it’s about becoming better individuals.

Setting Goals and Planning Activities

In this guide, you’ll find help in creating goals for the month. Plan out activities, reading time, game nights, household chores, and even charitable work with your church and community. Having a plan in place helps keep things organized.

Hands-On Learning

Learning isn’t just about reading and writing; it’s also about doing. Try immersive learning experiences, unit studies, and topical studies that cover various subjects. Let your child study topics they’re passionate about; it’ll make them unique and self-reliant adults.

Encouraging Independence in Your Children

As your child grows older, give them more say in their studies. You can help them succeed by providing support and guidance. Overcoming challenges takes time and effort, but it’s worth it in the end.

Planning for the Months Ahead

Take a moment to look at upcoming holidays and events. While plans may change, having an overview helps in scheduling. The coming months can be hectic, so let’s get organized early.

Time to Be Kids

Remember, it’s crucial to give your children downtime. They don’t need to be overscheduled. This planner helps you find that balance.

Enjoy the Journey

Homeschooling is not just about academics. It’s about exploring the world, seeking answers, and challenging ideas through experiments and discovery. Make learning an exciting adventure!

So, as we kickstart this school year, let’s aim for greatness. Use the tools in this planner to stay organized and focused on your goals. And most importantly, enjoy your time with your family and the wonderful journey of learning. Have a fantastic September!

Blessings,
Christina Moss

Get Your September Organize It! Planner and Kickstart the School Year With Your Children

Sign Up Here:

🎂 Sweet Treats — our 13th birthday gift to you

The Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network turns 13 this month, so all October we are handing out Sweet Treats — a collection of free resources gathered up from the hosts across the network. Add your email below and we will send it right over. That same email is also your entry in our Sweet 13 giveaway: more than $1,500 in prizes across four drawings.

Looking for the download that usually lives here? It comes back as soon as the birthday celebration wraps up. See all the birthday details →

Get convenient links to all the latest homeschool podcasts each week- PLUS new printables every month! A free gift from the author, Felice Gerwitz, Ultimate Homeschool Radio owner and podcaster at Vintage Homeschool Moms!

Disclosure Statement regarding affiliates and partnerships.

Filed Under: Blog, Free Homeschool Resources, Ultimate Homeschool Radio Show Tagged With: homeschool, homeschool organizing, homeschool planning, homeschooling

How To Do It All In Your Homeschool

August 28, 2023 by mediaangels Leave a Comment

How To Do It All In Your Homeschool ~ Episode 502

Have you wondered how to get everything done in your homeschool day? How to do it all? In this episode, we discuss PBF, how to set priorities and boundaries, and leave time for what matters: family!

Our Sponsor! I want to thank Route 60: A Biblical Highway for sponsoring this podcast. Please check out the link here. Route60.movie —

One mom’s response resonated in the recent survey we created as part of my 500th Episode Celebration.

Quick Links to planning: Organized Homeschool Forms here.

And Easy Way Planning – Featuring the 4-Square Planner.

Easy Way Planning

Helpful Resources:

My friend Mary Jo Tate has some helpful resources.

How to Do IT All: How To Do It All
Flourish At Home (on Amazon Kindle) or print here.

Real Moms Need Help

So, this podcast is dedicated to this mom – and all of those listening who are struggling to complete a day without regrets! Real questions are answered, but I’ll end with the PBF Method, setting priorities, boundaries, and family time. Added to my 4-Square Daily or Weekly Planner, this simple method will help you manage your day with bite-sized and realistic goals.

I want to read this mom’s response to my survey. (Read on air.)

Often, we pressure ourselves to succeed at all costs or to reach these invisible goals and markers that say you passed or failed today and the heartbreak that comes when we are hard on ourselves. What I am hearing through all of this is a calling from the Almighty; therefore, you are absolutely in the right place. God calls us to say yes; he does not call us to succeed. That is the pressure from self and the world. Just because we know the cause, which is you are putting the blame on yourself and feeling inadequate, does not diminish the real issue, which we will address in this homeschool podcast.

The resounding questions surround these themes:

God’s grace. Not quitting.
How can I accomplish X, Y, and Z? With what time in the day? (The example given was dinner and homemade ice cream.)
The feeling of inadequacy and failure.
When she had a good day of homeschooling, she had a bad day of housekeeping. (Grocery shopping vs. homeschooling.)
How did you make it through?

Let’s tackle each of these questions one at a time. (More on this podcast, points we cover.)

God’s grace and not quitting are wonderful; that is true faith.
Accomplishing begins with making reasonable daily goals.
Feeling inadequate and a failure is a tool of the enemy to rob you of your peace.
What are your priorities?
How did I make it, though? With PBT – Priorities, boundaries, and family.

So first, how do you set priorities? Pray about this; it will be different for each of us. Here is an example of mine during a homeschool week.

Homeschool Priorities:

What is the most pressing? Do it first. That is the key to accomplishing, not putting off or procrastinating. Enlist the kids to help, your spouse, and give time, even if it means a quick prayer to make it through the day.

Prayer
Meals
Homeschool
Pick-up daily

Homeschool Boundaries:

Avoid the joy suckers in our life. For me, that was a specific friend and those things that robbed me of time, like emails.

What are the distractions in your life?
What wears you down?
Who is a drain on your relationship?
Set boundaries, for example…(cell phone, social media, emails, etc.)

Homeschool Family:

Your family is more critical than folded laundry, a clean house, or grocery shopping. Sure, all those things are essential, but remember that you are blessed with the care of children for a brief time. Make it matter.

Family matters, first priority after spouse and God.
Squeaky wheel. Work on discipline.
Say what you mean and mean what you say.
Time with your spouse. Are you on the same page?

I have links on homeschool organization and planning. In fact, for years, we’ve given away planners for free monthly just because you are one of the thousands on our list who struggle with the same issues. If I can help one mom, I’m happy.

I want to remind you that homeschooling and saying yes to your Divine calling already means you are a success in the eyes of the only one who matters: God. If He calls you, he will give you the grace to succeed. Your feelings of inadequacy are often a result of false expectations of what homeschooling looks like. Not every day will be stellar, balanced, or productive. If you lose it, you apologize to your kids and spouse and ask for forgiveness. That’s it. That goes a long way toward healing and building bridges and teaches your kids that if they mess up, they ask for forgiveness.

I had days when I called off school because the kids were fighting or I was exhausted with another headache… So the dishes didn’t get done on time, or dinner consisted of stuffed baked potatoes and a salad! I had days when I threatened to put my kids back in “real school” or where I punished them by not taking them to a planned outing or field trip. We all learned through these episodes and these “failure days” that we have tomorrow to do it again and hopefully do it together.

If your children are little, it is way harder to homeschool than if they are older. Consider programs like CTCMath.com and ReadingEggs.com – both sponsors of this network from time to time, but both are good programs to use in times of stress or being overwhelmed.

Don’t look at other people; your kids are better with a teacher who loves and knows them. I homeschooled for 32 years combined, and my kids are thankful for the opportunities that only homeschool allowed. Homeschooling allowed my struggling learners the extra time they needed, my gifted the time to explore interests and hobbies, a creative outlet, and all my children to enjoy downtime and think.

I want to leave you with this:

Homeschooling is not a race but a progression toward the finish line.

It is for God’s glory, the love of family, and the salvation of humanity. Does that sound like fluff? I promise it is not. We are giving the hurting world in which we live kids that value the good things. Honor, truth, integrity, and those things are lacking in our world today.

Dear Moms and Dads, continue to fight the good fight, but finish the homeschool race on your time.

Share this episode with a friend, and rate us on your favorite podcast app!

Filed Under: Vintage Homeschool Moms Tagged With: getting back on track, getting it all done, homeschool, homeschool planning, homeschooling