The one thing about homeschooling that can be both unnerving and exhilarating is how it’s constantly evolving. I have been homeschooling my children since my eldest was in kindergarten—about seven years now—and each year and season has brought changes that I sometimes didn’t expect. Almost every year I’ve made one or two curriculum changes, our schedule has shifted each season, and we’ve joined or started new co-ops every few years.
Now I don’t want to scare away those of you who love consistency, because believe me, I love consistency too. I can eat the same thing for breakfast every day and thrive on having a routine I can rely on. However, I’ve found that the beauty of homeschooling lies in learning to adapt and grow as you discover what your children and family need. Even when I was a classroom teacher, if I learned something new that could provide a better education or classroom environment for my students, I was ready to pivot and implement it.
The key—or perhaps the art—is in how to make these changes. We don’t want to pepper our year with abrupt shifts that can be stressful for our children and for us. It’s okay to simmer on an idea and then decide when to act. There are no educational emergencies in homeschooling. I don’t remember who first shared that wisdom with me, but it’s something I keep in the back of my mind whenever I feel the urge to make immediate changes.
So how do I know when it’s time to pivot, or if I’m just experiencing FOMO?
Is It Time for a Change—or Just FOMO?
Before switching things up, I ask myself a few simple questions. These help me pause, reflect, and make sure I’m acting with intention—not just reacting to a hard day or a shiny new idea on Instagram.
- Am I responding to a real need—or a passing feeling?
Sometimes our kids genuinely outgrow a curriculum or need a different pace. Other times, I just feel bored or frustrated. I’ve learned that not every hard week means it’s time for a total overhaul. - Have I given this enough time to work?
New routines or curricula often need a few weeks to settle in. If I haven’t given it at least a solid month (unless it’s a total mismatch or causing major stress), I try to hold off on making changes. - Am I comparing our homeschool to someone else’s?
It’s easy to feel behind or “less than” when we scroll through beautiful snapshots of other families’ routines. I remind myself that we’re not meant to homeschool like anyone else—we’re meant to homeschool our kids. - Is my child’s well being at the heart of this decision?
At the end of the day, I try to anchor any pivot in my child’s needs, not my perfectionism or pressure to keep up.
Gentle Ways to Pivot Without Disrupting Everything
If I do decide a change is needed, I try to make it in a way that doesn’t throw our whole rhythm out of sync. Here are a few things that have helped:
- Try a “test week” with the new idea before fully committing.
- Add in one small change at a time rather than switching everything at once.
- Talk to your kids—especially older ones. Their input can be really helpful and validating.
- Give yourself permission to say, “This worked for a season. Now we need something different.”
Homeschooling 365 Podcast 