After nearly 10 years of homeschooling, there’s one thing I never expected to say in late spring:
I haven’t ordered our homeschool curriculum yet.
Normally by now, I’m deep into planning mode. I’ve researched curriculum for months, mapped out our year, ordered supplies, and probably already filmed multiple homeschool haul videos.
This year feels entirely different.
And honestly, I think a lot of homeschool moms are feeling it too.
Be sure to subscribe to our monthly newsletter to be an insider and to follow along with our days over on Instagram @makingeverydaymagic.
The Pressure to “Prepare Perfectly”
For years, homeschool planning season felt exciting to me.
I loved researching curriculum.
I loved organizing plans.
I loved the feeling of getting everything ready early.
But this year, something shifted.
The world feels heavier right now. Financially. Emotionally. Mentally.
And suddenly, the pressure to buy more things just to feel prepared stopped feeling exciting and started feeling exhausting.
I realized I no longer felt aligned with the cycle of overconsumption that can quietly creep into homeschool culture.
Not because curriculum is bad.
Not because resources are unnecessary.
But because more stuff does not automatically create a better homeschool experience.
Homeschooling Is Changing As My Kids Grow
Part of this shift is simply the stage of life we’re in.
I no longer have little kids.
I’m not spending our days searching for colorful manipulatives or cute preschool activities anymore. These days we’re talking about writing structure, deeper discussions, independent learning, and preparing for high school expectations.
Our homeschool has naturally evolved.
And honestly, so have I.
The longer I homeschool, the more I care about depth over volume.
Less busywork.
Less pressure.
Less performance.
More meaningful learning.
More sustainability.
More honesty about what real homeschool life actually looks like.
Buying Less Doesn’t Mean Caring Less
I think this is important to say because sometimes slowing down can feel uncomfortable.
Especially online.
There’s so much pressure to constantly optimize, improve, purchase, and prepare. But stepping back from that doesn’t mean you’re less committed.
In many ways, I think I’m approaching homeschooling more intentionally now than ever before.
I still plan to share what we use.
I’ll still talk honestly about curriculum.
I’ll still show what works and what doesn’t.
But I want those conversations to come from real use and real value — not from pressure to constantly consume.
If You Haven’t Planned Everything Yet, You’re Not Alone
If you’re usually fully planned by now and this year you’re not…
You are not behind.
You are not failing.
And you are definitely not the only one feeling this shift.
Sometimes seasons change.
Sometimes priorities change.
Sometimes capacity changes.
And sometimes homeschooling simply asks us to slow down and pay attention to what actually matters.
Homeschooling With More Intention
This season, I’m trying to focus less on acquiring more and more on creating a homeschool life that actually feels sustainable for our family.
That might mean:
- buying fewer resources
- waiting before purchasing curriculum
- using more free homeschool resources
- simplifying schedules
- prioritizing depth instead of quantity
And honestly?
That feels like an important shift worth talking about.
Final Thoughts
I still love homeschooling deeply.
I still love planning.
I still love curriculum.
I still love sharing resources that genuinely help families.
But I also think it matters to say out loud when something feels different.
Because chances are, if you’re feeling it too, you probably need to hear that you’re not alone.
And maybe this season isn’t about doing more.
Maybe it’s about doing what matters more intentionally.
