Adaptable, Loving, and Present

Homeschooling is a journey of growth - not just for our kids but for us as parents and educators. Like any journey, it brings with it twists, turns, and unexpected leaps, and in my experience, the ability to adapt to these changes is as essential as any lesson plan. Today, I’d like to share some thoughts on adapting to change as a homeschooler and why flexibility, openness, and family-centered priorities are key.

Recognising the Need to Be Flexible

One of the greatest gifts homeschooling offers is flexibility. Unlike traditional schooling, where a rigid schedule dictates the pace, homeschooling allows us to pivot when needed. But it’s easy to get caught up in our own expectations - believing we have to “finish the curriculum” or “stick to the plan” no matter what. We must remember that plans are just that: a rough guide, not a rulebook. Life will throw curveballs, and learning to embrace them with grace and flexibility helps us model adaptability for our children.

For a few years I've used an evolving plan built around thematic learning.  It was great!  We'd get stuck right into topics (which you can read about in earlier blog posts) and it was easy to adapt learning activities within the theme.  This year, Zeah's interests have changed in leaps and she's been drawn to just getting on with some basic math, writing and comprehension workbooks, and reading series of chapter books like Wolf Girl.  We also had our adult daughter and her two year old son move in with us for awhile, which changed the dynamic of our home and available time drastically, overnight! Basically, our 2024 plan went out the window...

Family Comes Before Curriculum

It’s easy to let “school” creep into every corner of our day (and house) when we homeschool. There are endless resources, projects, and extra reading that make it tempting to fill every spare minute with learning, or try to make fun times together an educational event. But one thing homeschooling has taught me is that family is more important than any curriculum. Learning is part of life. If children need time to connect, play, or just be, I’ve come to see that as equally, if not more, important than obvious learning activities.  Instead of trying to mould life into learning, home educators need to learn to observe life as learning, and see the value in each experience, as well as know that for every one instance of learning we observe or record, there are hundreds that just happened, without anyone doing anything or noticing!

Sometimes, letting go of "schoolwork" in favour of a family walk, a heartfelt conversation, or a fun outing brings deeper lessons than anything found in a workbook. When we prioritise family, we’re teaching our kids that they are loved for who they are, not just what they know or achieve. And that foundation - love, trust, and connection - becomes the bedrock for all their learning and development.

Embracing Developmental Leaps

Children don’t develop in a steady, predictable pattern. Growth often comes in leaps and bounds, sometimes catching us off guard. I’ve seen my kids go through weeks where everything feels stagnant, only to have sudden breakthroughs where they “get” something that seemed out of reach before. As homeschoolers, we’re uniquely positioned to notice and celebrate these leaps. This means accepting that some periods may be less productive academically but knowing that valuable, unseen growth is happening beneath the surface.

When I stopped pushing through every small challenge as a “problem to solve” and instead learned to give my kids space, I started seeing these leaps more clearly. Sometimes, what seemed like a regression was actually the calm before a major development. If we can trust that these leaps will come, we can let go of the need to micromanage every step along the way.  Do you notice this too?  Just when you start to think they'll never "get it" and you've been trying to teach the same skill for quite some time - bam! - they've nailed it and moved way ahead of our expectations.  Even after thirty years or parenting and home educating, this still applies to me!

Learning From the Journey

Ultimately, homeschooling is not just about getting our kids to a certain academic milestone; it’s about the whole journey—how they learn, grow, and connect with the world. Flexibility, family-centred priorities, and a willingness to embrace change help us focus on the bigger picture. When we do this, we can give our children not just an education but a life rich with joy, resilience, and the knowledge that they are supported every step of the way, and that they're equipped to achieve amazing things!

Let’s be gentle with ourselves. Release the pressure to get everything “right” and instead focus on being adaptable, loving, and present. After all, these are the qualities that will serve our children well long after they’ve left our homes to chart their own course in the world.