I've been reflecting on what has truly made the difference after over a decade of homeschooling, between surviving and thriving in this beautiful, challenging calling.
Through the preschool years with books and random art supplies strewn across the room, the elementary years of finding our rhythm and going on spontaneous outdoor adventures, to the middle school and high school years of questioning everything and digging deep, there are some key things that have sustained us through every season.
I thought I'd share them with you in hopes that maybe one (or ten!) might encourage you in your own homeschool adventure.
1) The Lord
We begin each day with Jesus, and this might seem obvious, but it's worth stating first because it's foundational to everything else. When curriculum fails, when I'm having a rough day, when the kids are resistant, when I'm questioning our decision… The Lord is our anchor. Prayer, His Word, and remembering that He called us to this lifestyle have sustained us through every season.
2) Living Books and Guides That Follow Living Books
We find beautiful, timeless literature feeds, educates and sustains the soul over dry textbooks that drain it. Living books have brought life, wisdom and wonder into our learning, and guides that complement them (rather than replace them) have been game-changers for keeping things simple yet rich, like our Simple Studies!
3) Reliable, economical equipment
This Epson printer has saved us countless times from expensive trips to Office Depot or FedEx. Having a reliable printer at home means we can print worksheets, guides, and resources as needed without the stress and cost of constant print shop runs. (And if you don't have a home printer, I highly recommend Humble Heart Press - they often offer great deals, including when printing Simple Studies guides!)
4) Saying NO (EVEN IF WE Could technically SAY YES)
So many people think that because we homeschool, we have all the flexibility in the world and can change our plans on a whim's notice. While homeschooling certainly helps us stay flexible and visit places like the library or museums sans huge crowds, it does NOT mean we drop everything and throw our peace, calm, and daily morning lessons out the window. We intentionally pray on ways to protect our peace because before we know it, the crazy creeps in and we’re all off running in different directions each day. We DO say yes when it aligns with our larger family vision and mission.
5) Simplicity Over Consumption
We've never used a "dedicated" homeschool room and instead, always sat at the kitchen table for our lessons. We don't have posters on our walls, huge maps, or chalkboard displays. We stick to paper and pencils. This has proven over and over to work well for us. Our son still tells the story of a personal finance class he took where all his peers took out their calculators and he used pencil and paper. He was the only student in class who answered all the questions correctly, before time was up. I share this because the world pushes tech at an early age, but I've stuck to my "old ways" of paper and pencil for as long as possible… and it truly pays off in unexpected and marvelous ways.
6) a Simple Planner
The homeschool "planner" market is not only saturated but overwhelming! While I've really enjoyed using customized and teacher planners, I always come back to my simple planners like this blank, dotted one to plan our days, this weekly planner to write short daily notes about what happened each day, and this 365 one to write down my hourly plans. Sometimes the simplest tools are the most sustainable.
7) Charcuterie Board Meals
When you're tired of planning multiple daily meals for hungry family members, these are a lifesaver! Check out books like this one I keep on hand. They make lunches and snack time fun and exciting, and even your children can get involved and help create these beautiful, nutritious boards.
8) Christian/Worldview Curriculum
I can't tell you how many times I've tried (and failed) to loop in highly renowned, award-winning secular homeschool curriculum options when I wanted to change things up. However, since we truly believe all knowledge and wisdom ultimately comes from God, none of these extra options ever last long in our homeschool. In the end, we always come back to things like my Monthly Simple + Fresh guides, current events like WORLDWatch (Use this link to get 30 Days FREE), or good, old-fashioned curriculum that stands the test of time. (Check out my Top 5 Favorite Curriculum Picks of All Time video!)
9) Doing What's Right for Our Family over our to-do list
We modify curriculum when necessary. We don't mold our children to fit the curriculum. When one of our children becomes deeply passionate about something, we embrace that enthusiasm and weave it into our lessons. This doesn't mean we abandon our plans entirely, but rather we get creative with our approach. Instead of forcing a rigid structure that doesn't fit, we adapt and find natural connections. Taking regular breaks and honoring seasonal rhythms has also been crucial. Whether it's taking a week off when everyone's feeling burned out, doing lighter lessons during busy family seasons, or taking advantage of beautiful weather for outdoor learning, these intentional pauses have prevented homeschool burnout and kept our love for learning alive. Remember: You're not a public school and don't need to follow their rigid calendar or curriculum that doesn’t work best for your child!
10) A Strong Homeschool Community or Co-op
While homeschooling can feel isolating at times, connecting with other homeschool families has been invaluable. Whether it's through a local co-op, park meetups, field trip groups, or even online communities, having other parents who understand the unique joys and challenges of homeschooling provides encouragement, practical advice, and accountability. Plus, our children benefit from friendships with other kids who share similar values and educational experiences. Don't try to do this journey completely alone. Find your people!
BONUS: Read Aloud, narrate + Notebook When All Else Fails
When lessons aren't clicking, curriculum feels overwhelming, or we just need to get back to basics, we return to the simplest, most effective (and FREE!) approach: read aloud, narrate and notebook. We've used these blank notebooks for years (if those are sold out, as they often are, these ones will work great too), and our children STILL have their geography, science, and history lessons from a few years ago in the same notebooks they're continuing to fill. There are enough pages to keep going for years, and it's beautiful watching them flip back through their work, reviewing and feeling nostalgia for lessons learned long ago. Sometimes the most powerful education happens with just a good book and a blank page.
I hope this list encourages you in your own homeschool journey. Remember, what works for our family might look different in yours, but maybe there's something here that resonates with your heart and your season.
You're doing a beautiful work, mama. Keep going!
What would you add to this list? I'd love to hear what has helped sustain your homeschool!