What I’d Do Differently If I Could Start Homeschooling Over

If I could sit down with my younger homeschooling self and have a heart-to-heart, I’d have so much to say.

I still remember the early years—sitting at my kitchen table, surrounded by stacks of curriculum, feeling a mix of excitement and overwhelm. I wanted to do everything right, but I constantly wondered if I was doing enough.

Looking back now, I see that homeschooling isn’t about getting everything perfect. It’s about connection, flexibility, and trusting the process.

That’s why I’m writing this—to help you avoid the mistakes I made and to share what I would do differently if I could start homeschooling over

In this post, I’ll share:

✅ The biggest lessons I’ve learned as a veteran homeschool mom

✅ What I would change if I could go back

✅ The things I wish I had worried less about—and what actually mattered most

So grab a cup of tea, get comfortable, and let’s dive in!

What I Wish I Had Known in the Beginning

I remember my first year of homeschooling vividly.

I had high expectations—a structured schedule, a detailed lesson plan, and a hope that my kids would love every subject.

Instead, I was met with resistance, exhaustion, and self-doubt.

If I could go back, here’s what I would tell myself:

1. Less Is More

In the beginning, I bought too much curriculum. I thought I needed every subject, every workbook, every educational resource to “cover all the bases.”

But here’s the truth: More curriculum doesn’t mean better learning.

Overloading your child with too many lessons can lead to burnout—both for them and for you.

What I’d do differently:

✔️ Start with just the basics—reading, writing, and math.

✔️ Add more subjects gradually instead of overwhelming everyone.

✔️ Prioritize quality over quantity—learning deeply matters more than rushing through topics.

👉 Action Step: If your homeschool feels overwhelming, simplify. Pick the three most essential subjects and focus on those first.

2. You Don’t Have to Recreate School at Home

When I first started homeschooling, I thought it had to look like traditional school.

I created a rigid schedule, strict lesson plans, and even tried to keep up with public school standards.

But one of the biggest blessings of homeschooling is its flexibility! Learning happens everywhere, not just at a desk.

What I’d do differently:

✔️ Allow for flexible learning. Learning can happen in nature, through life experiences, and in creative ways.

✔️ Use real-life experiences instead of just textbooks.

✔️ Find a homeschool rhythm instead of forcing a strict schedule.

👉 Action Step: Try a “learning day” where your child picks a topic they love and explore it together—through books, hands-on activities, or real-world experiences.

3. Your Child’s Pace Matters More Than the Curriculum

I used to stress so much about keeping my kids “on track” with traditional school.

But every child learns at their own pace.

Some kids read early, while others need more time. Some kids love math, while others struggle with it. And that’s okay.

What I’d do differently:

✔️ Stop worrying about “keeping up” with public school standards.

✔️ Focus on progress over perfection.

✔️ Trust that learning happens in seasons—sometimes fast, sometimes slow.

👉 Action Step: Identify one subject where you feel pressure to “keep up.” Let go of that expectation and focus on steady, enjoyable progress.

What I’d Do Differently If I Could Start Over

1. I’d Focus More on Relationship, Less on Rigor

In the early years, I was so focused on academics that I sometimes neglected the heart.

I worried about checking off lesson plans instead of just enjoying the journey.

What I’d do differently:

✔️ Prioritize connection over curriculum.

✔️ Spend more time talking, playing, and bonding with my kids.

✔️ Take breaks when needed—sometimes, a conversation is more valuable than a lesson.

👉 Action Step: Plan a "connection day"—skip the lessons and just spend intentional time with your kids. Play games, go for a walk, or just talk.

2. I’d Let Go of Comparison Sooner

Comparison stole so much joy from my early homeschool years.

I’d see other homeschool moms with perfect routines and feel like I was failing.

But here’s what I’ve learned: No two homeschool journeys are the same.

What I’d do differently:

✔️ Focus on what works for MY family.

✔️ Celebrate our own progress instead of comparing to others.

✔️ Stop letting outside opinions dictate my confidence as a homeschool mom.

👉 Action Step: Unfollow any social media accounts that make you feel inadequate and focus on encouraging content instead.

3. I’d Make More Room for Interest-Led Learning

Looking back, I wish I had followed my kids’ interests more instead of rigidly sticking to a curriculum.

When kids are excited about a topic, they learn naturally and retain information better.

What I’d do differently:

✔️ If my child was obsessed with space, we’d dive into astronomy.

✔️ If they loved animals, we’d explore biology and visit farms.

✔️ Let interest-led learning guide parts of our homeschool.

👉 Action Step: Ask your child what they’re curious about this week—then plan one learning activity around it.

Final Encouragement

Friend, if you’re just starting out, or even if you’ve been homeschooling for years, I just want to remind you—**you are doing better than you think.**

Homeschooling is a journey, not a race. You don’t have to do it perfectly. You just have to show up, love your kids, and trust that small, daily moments of learning and connection are what truly matter.

💬 If you could start over, what’s one thing YOU would do differently? Drop it in the comments—I’d love to hear from you!

You’ve got this, mama! And even on the hard days, God’s grace is enough. ❤️

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