Back to School & Re-evaluating Our Days

Back to School & Re-evaluating Our Days

 

So, it's your first week of school!

The pencils are sharpened, the books are on the shelf, the curriculum is all ready to go and your planner is full of all of the goodness that you have have planned for the year ahead.

You wake with anticipation for all that you've prepared to teach your children.

Your children wake and you eat breakfast together and prepare for the school day.

As the days go by you begin to wonder where you are going to fit in all of these extra beautiful things that you have gathered.

Often times we need to reevaluate what is in front of us.

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Here are some questions that we can ask ourselves.

1. Is it repetitive?

• Are multiple curriculums or resources that you are using adding a hymn study, picture study, etc.? Maybe choose one or the other or chose different days to break them up instead of trying to fit them in all together. You could also choose to paint one and observe the other and sing one and play the other if you can’t eliminate one.

2. Does it bring joy to our day?

• Are you simply checking off boxes or are you learning and growing from these resources together as a family? Do they bring you joy? Are they life giving or life draining?

3. Is it stealing our margin from your days?

• Margin allows for outdoor adventures, family time, quiet time, clean up, planning, and room to breathe. Without margin in your days they will be more stressful as you try to adhere to a strict schedule to get through your day. Don’t underestimate the value of margin in your days.

4. Does it hinder us from doing other things that our family values?

• Make a list of things that your family strives to do and enjoys. Plan your days with these things in mind so that they are integrated in your time. Make them a priority for you and for your family.

5. Could some of these things be on a loop schedule?

• A loop schedule allows you to fit multiple subjects and extra curriculars into your scheduled once or twice a week looping through different subjects on different days or in different semesters.

6. Is there something that can be moved to bedtime or in the evening when dad is home such as a devotional or read aloud?

• Sometimes thinking outside of the box can help take the pressure off if you are feeling overwhelmed. Sometimes it can be helpful to delegate tasks to a spouse if you can or to use bed time for your read aloud or devotional or Bible reading.

7. Is it helpful or hurtful to our family relationships?

• Is what you are doing building up your relationships within your family or tearing them down? If things aren’t going well first check each others heart issues behind the conflict and then see how you can simplify your days to make them less full and more enjoyable. If you aren’t able to get some time out in nature then try implementing that and see if that helps.

8. Is it necessary?

• Do you need it? Is it necessary? Would your school day run smoother without it?

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Short lessons can be such a blessing because they spark interest and keep our children wanting more and they allow time for more learning and adventuring to happen.

Teaching our children together at much as possible as opposed to teaching each child individually can save us a lot of time and effort and is beneficial for our children to learn from each other.

 

This is the heart of The Peaceful Press.

• -peaceful days with margin
• -short lessons that keep them wanting more
• -family style learning and relationship building
• - time allotment for the things that our family values most,

and so much more.

 

It is ok to change things around so that they work best for your family. Make your homeschool work for your family and not your family work for your homeschool.

 

These are precious days together. Enjoy them.

 

If you need more guidance for your homeschool, check out our new course

A Peaceful Path to a Living Education.

 

Some helpful resources for creating a vision, setting goals, and planning a peaceful year are The Homeschool Planners. We have a printed version that can be found on Amazon and at www.christianbook.com. We also have a printable version on The Peaceful Press website and a free Family Vision Worksheet!

 

 

Commonly Asked Questions About Reevaluating Your Homeschool Days

1. How do I know if my homeschool schedule is too full?

If you constantly feel rushed or end the day exhausted, that’s a good sign your schedule may need simplifying. Try asking the reflective questions from this post—especially “Is it necessary?” and “Is it stealing our margin?”—to help identify what can be set aside or moved to a loop schedule.

2. What is a loop schedule and how can it help?

A loop schedule rotates subjects or activities throughout the week instead of trying to fit everything in daily. For example, you might do art on Mondays, nature study on Tuesdays, and poetry on Wednesdays. This method allows flexibility, reduces stress, and ensures you still enjoy a rich variety of learning.

3. How can I make more room for margin in our homeschool days?

Margin comes when we prioritize what truly matters and let go of what drains us. Shorten lessons, combine subjects when possible, and leave open time for rest, outdoor play, and creativity. Remember—unhurried time often leads to the best learning and connection.

4. What if I feel guilty about changing our homeschool plan?

It’s completely normal to adjust! Your homeschool is meant to serve your family—not the other way around. Reevaluating your schedule doesn’t mean you’ve failed; it shows you’re attentive to your family’s needs. Flexibility is one of the great blessings of homeschooling.

5. How can I balance multiple children and different ages?

Whenever possible, teach your children together. Family-style lessons—like read-alouds, nature walks, or art—build connection and save time. Older children can model learning for younger siblings, creating a cooperative and joyful learning atmosphere.

6. How can I tell if a resource or curriculum is bringing joy to our homeschool?

Pay attention to how you and your children feel after using it. Do you look forward to it, or does it feel like another box to check? Joyful learning fuels curiosity and builds relationships. If a resource feels heavy or draining, it may be time to simplify or substitute it with something life-giving.

7. What should I do if homeschooling starts to feel overwhelming?

Take a step back and revisit your family’s mission and vision. Our Family Vision Worksheet and Homeschool Planner can help you realign your goals and simplify your days. Sometimes even small changes—like moving read-alouds to bedtime—can make a big difference.

8. Where can I find more encouragement for peaceful homeschooling?

Explore our new course, A Peaceful Path to a Living Education, which offers step-by-step guidance for cultivating rhythm, margin, and joy in your homeschool. You’ll also find continued encouragement and helpful tools in The Peaceful Press Blog and Homeschool Planners—both printable and printed versions available.