Help, We're Falling Behind In Homeschool!

Homeschooling is an adventure - sometimes smooth sailing, occasionally full of winter-weathered potholes. One of the biggest worries homeschooling parents face? Falling behind. But what does that even mean? Behind what exactly? Who are we measuring against? The local public school’s schedule? That ultra-organized homeschool mom on Instagram with the color-coded everything? (You know the one.) And more importantly, how do we get back on track when things feel off course? If you feel like your homeschool is moving at the speed of a sloth, take a deep breath. You’re not alone, and there are real, practical solutions to help you reset and move forward. Let’s dig into why homeschoolers feel like they’re falling behind - and how to fix it.

The Home Educator Wears Many Hats

Let's be real - homeschooling isn’t your only job. You’re also a cook, chauffeur, nurse, housekeeper, referee, and probably working another job (or five). When you’re juggling a million roles, homeschooling can take a backseat to the basics that you need to do for your tiny humans.

✅ Solution

Prioritize and delegate. Not everything needs to be done by you. Hand over chores to the children (yes, life skills!), solicit the help of your trusted tribe, simplify meal planning, and hear me out - let some things go. Outsource some teaching (more on that below) and let go of the laundry pile for a day or two. It will still be there tomorrow, but your sanity may not be if you keep running like there are 12 of you. Give yourself permission to not do it all perfectly.

Curriculum Choice Paralysis

There are approximately one gazillion homeschool curricula out there, and choosing the “perfect” one can keep you stuck in decision mode. So, instead of choosing, you research. And research. And research...until three months have passed, and you’ve educated yourself but not your children. Or you may start one but constantly switch because you don't want your children to miss out on "theeee one" another homeschooler told you about.

✅ Solution

Pick one and commit. The perfect curriculum doesn't exist, but progress does. Pick the curriculum that works well enough for your family right now. Start where you are, tweak as needed, and stop overthinking.

Not Outsourcing When Needed

Homeschooling doesn’t mean you have to teach everything. Many parents get overwhelmed trying to do so or master subjects they struggle with, leading to delays in learning. Trying to master algebra, biology, and Latin while also teaching a preschooler to hold a pencil? That’s a one-way ticket to Burnoutville.

✅ Solution

Get help! Consider online classes, local co-ops, private tutors, or even outsourcing certain subjects to other family members. Outsourcing doesn’t make you less of a homeschooler—it makes you a smarter one. If it lightens your load and keeps you moving, it's a win!

Shiny Object Syndrome

You’re cruising along in your homeschool, everything’s going fine, and then… BAM! New curriculum? New learning method? That YouTube mom who has something “better”? Suddenly, what you’re doing feels boring and inadequate, and you switch gears.

Again. And again. Until your homeschool is just a collection of half-finished books and abandoned lesson plans. A lot of starts and no finishes.

✅ Solution

Stay focused. If you find something that works, stick with it. Set a rule for yourself—no switching curriculum mid-year unless it’s truly a disaster. Save new ideas for the next school year instead of derailing the current one.

Adding Too Much

Morning basket, science experiments, poetry, history unit studies, nature journaling, art projects, foreign language, STEM, music lessons, theater… oh, and the core subjects too? It’s easy to overload your homeschool with too many activities, leaving little room for deep learning. If your homeschool day looks like a 12-course meal, you might be overdoing it.

✅ Solution

Less is more. Focus on the big rocks - reading, writing, and arithmetic - consistently. Add other subjects using a schedule that works best for your family dynamics: loop, rotational, set days. Let the extras be just that: extras. If your child takes a significant interest in an extra, recognize that. But that is another discussion on the end goal. A simplified, consistent homeschool is better than an overloaded, inconsistent one!

The Comparison Trap

“She’s using a classical approach, maybe I should.”

“They’ve already finished Algebra 1, should we speed up?”

“Her homeschool room looks like a Pinterest dream, and ours is…the dining table.”

Stop. Right. There. 🚫

Comparing your homeschool to others is a surefire way to feel like you’re falling behind and like a failure. It's good to measure your child's progress and take action accordingly, but your measure isn't what's going on in another's homeschool living room.

✅ Solution

Keep your eyes on your own paper. Every child learns at their own pace, and every homeschool looks different. Focus on progress over perfection. Remember: Your homeschool should serve your family, not someone else’s highlight reel.

Not Keeping Records

Ever have that moment where someone asks, “So, how’s homeschooling going?” and you respond with a long, awkward pause because…um…what have you actually covered?

Without some basic record-keeping, it’s easy to feel like you’re treading water instead of making progress. Don't fret. It's not challenging.

✅ Solution

You don’t need a 37-tab spreadsheet, but keep basic records at a minimum. You can only manage what you measure. A simple notebook, planner, or even a note on your phone tracking what you do each day can prove to you that you’re moving forward (even when it doesn’t feel like it). There are many options, from homemade to professional. Choose one.

Final Thoughts: You’re Not Behind

And even if you actually are, there are immediate solutions. As long as your child is learning and growing, you are on the right path. Adjust, simplify, and move forward—one lesson, one day, one step at a time. You’ve got this. 💛

Need Accountability?

What’s been your biggest struggle in keeping up with homeschooling? Drop a comment below -I’d love to help! 😊

Sadi Rey at Simply Schoolhouse

hello@simplyschoolhouse.org