When to Change Your Homeschool Plans

I love to plan. In fact, I started buying curriculum for the 2025–2026 school year back in February. Math, history, science, electives—you name it, I had it stacked and ready. I even signed my son up for a live online English class that wasn’t cheap, but it felt like the perfect fit. Add in a couple of carefully chosen college classes, and I thought I had his year locked in. Ducks in a row, check.

And then last week, everything changed.

Something in me—a little nudge I call “mama-gut intuition” and "Holy Spirit gut-check"—told me that the direction I had planned wasn’t right for him. At first, I wanted to ignore it. After all, I had already dropped a large sum of money on that online English class (with a no refund policy) and ALL of his curriculum. But the conviction wouldn’t leave me.

So I sat down with my son to talk it through, and to my surprise, he was in total agreement.

This year, instead of the carefully charted course I had mapped out, he’ll be joining a co-op on Mondays where he’ll take five subjects. We’ll still handle multiple subjects at home and a few through college classes, but the rest will be co-op-based. This was not on my radar a few months ago, but when I shared the idea, his eyes lit up.

He admitted that he had been quietly dreading the school year, but now he’s genuinely excited for what’s ahead. That change alone told me everything I needed to know: the shift was right.

It was tempting to stay the course because of the money and effort already invested. But I realized that no dollar amount is worth my child losing his eagerness to learn. Curriculum is replaceable. His joy in learning is not.

Here are a few lessons I want to share with you from this about how to know when to change your homeschool plans

Plan Loosely, in Pencil

I still believe in planning ahead. But I’ve learned that those plans need to be held loosely—written in pencil, not pen. Kids grow quickly, especially in the teen years, when they’re discovering who they are, dreaming about the future, and finding their own voice. A plan that looks perfect in February may not be what they need by August.

Don’t Let Money Dictate Their Education

There are times when we need to use the curriculum we’ve already purchased because it’s solid and valuable. But when you realize it’s truly not the right fit, don’t let the cost stop you from changing course. Protecting your child’s joy of learning is priceless. Sometimes adjusting midstream, even when it’s inconvenient, can completely change their outlook on education.

As homeschool parents, we walk a fine line. We want to teach our kids grit and perseverance, but we also want to hold their hearts carefully. They need to know we value them—not just their performance, but who they are and how they learn best.

Take time to sit quietly with your thoughts. Consider each of your children. Ask yourself: Is what I’m offering helping them thrive, or is it weighing them down?

Adaptability isn’t weakness. It’s a strength. It’s modeling for our children how to navigate life with both resilience and wisdom. When they see us adjust with thoughtfulness and courage, they’ll learn to do the same as they grow into adulthood.

Because at the end of the day, no curriculum, no class, and no “perfect plan” is more valuable than a child who loves to learn.

Protecting the Joy of Wonder

At its core, education isn’t just about passing tests or finishing books—it’s about awakening a child’s sense of wonder. Wonder is what makes a child ask questions, chase ideas, and imagine possibilities bigger than themselves. Without it, learning becomes a burden, and schoolwork becomes something to “get through” instead of something that shapes who they are becoming.

Why Wonder Matters for the Future

When children lose their sense of wonder, they stop dreaming. Without dreams, they don’t consider the possibility of doing big things, stretching their potential, or stepping into challenges that will grow them. Instead, they risk slipping into boredom and, eventually, escapism—seeking distraction and comfort rather than purpose and fulfillment. On the other hand, when wonder is alive, kids are more likely to live adventurous lives, take risks for what matters, and pursue the calling God has placed on their lives.

Created With a Purpose

Each child is uniquely and wonderfully made, with talents, strengths, and gifts given to them for a reason. If their education becomes a weight that stifles curiosity, they may lose sight of that purpose. But when we nurture their sense of wonder, we are helping them recognize that their learning is not meaningless—it’s connected to who they are and what they are called to do in the world.

The True Point of Education

The point of education is not just to finish assignments—it is to equip children to see the world with open eyes, to dream boldly, and to step into the future with purpose. A child who learns to protect their wonder will grow into an adult who keeps dreaming, keeps pursuing, and keeps believing that their life has meaning. When we adapt our homeschool plans to protect that spark of wonder, we are not just helping our children in the present moment—we are shaping the course of their entire future.

When we remember that the true point of education is to nurture wonder and prepare our children for purposeful lives, it becomes clear why adaptability is so essential. But how do we know when it’s the right time to make a change? Here are a few signs that can guide us.

How to Know When It’s Time to Change Your Homeschool Plans

One of the hardest parts of homeschooling is knowing when to hold steady and when to pivot. Changing direction can feel like failure—but it’s not. It’s wisdom. Here are a few signs that it might be time to adjust your plans:

Persistent Resistance or Dread

Every child has tough days, but if your student consistently dreads a subject or program—even after a fair adjustment period—it’s worth paying attention. Resistance can be a sign that the approach doesn’t fit their learning style, interests, or developmental stage.

Loss of Joy and Curiosity

Homeschooling should spark curiosity. If your child who once loved learning now seems disengaged, bored, or shut down, that’s a red flag. Protecting their joy in learning is more important than finishing any curriculum.

Misalignment with Growth and Goals

Kids grow quickly, especially in the teen years. What worked six months ago might not serve them now. If your student’s interests, maturity, or future goals shift, your plans may need to shift too.

Mama (or Papa) Gut

Parental intuition is powerful. If something feels “off,” it probably is. You know your child better than anyone, and you have permission to act on that inner nudge—even when it’s inconvenient or costly.

I know that not everyone shares my faith beliefs, so if you are not a Christian, hang with your mama-gut and move onto number five. If you are a Christian, continue to read number four.

For those of us who follow Christ, we must also follow the gentle prompting of the Holy Spirit. God has entrusted these children to us, and He promises to equip us with wisdom to lead them well.

Tuning into the Holy Spirit’s direction often requires us to slow down and make room for His voice. That might look like praying specifically over your homeschool decisions, sitting quietly to listen without distraction, and spending time in God’s Word. Scripture brings clarity and peace when our own thoughts are tangled with doubt or fear.

When we pause to pray, listen, and read His Word, we begin to recognize that still, small voice guiding us. Leaning into His direction allows us to homeschool with confidence—not because we have every detail figured out, but because we are following the One who does. He created each of our children and knows their purpose and their future. Lean into Him, because He will show you the path to follow.

No Fruit After Time and Consistency

Sometimes, change is needed simply because the investment isn’t producing growth. If you’ve given a curriculum or method a fair trial and your child is still struggling with no signs of progress, it may be time to try a different path.

When we make changes in our homeschool, it’s not just about avoiding frustration or finding something “easier.” It’s about protecting something far more important: our children’s sense of wonder.

Bad Attitudes or Behavior

Sometimes the clearest signal that something isn’t working shows up in your child’s behavior. If school time consistently brings out anger, tears, defiance, or withdrawal, it may not just be “a bad attitude.” More often, it’s a symptom that something deeper is off—whether the work feels overwhelming, the method doesn’t fit their learning style, or their heart simply isn’t engaged.

Of course, we don’t want to excuse poor behavior, and part of education is teaching our children to persevere when things get hard. But when negative behavior becomes the pattern instead of the exception, it’s worth pausing to evaluate. A shift in approach, pace, or environment might be what your child needs to re-engage with learning in a healthy way.

Education is meant to inspire curiosity, ignite imagination, and point our kids toward a meaningful future. If their schoolwork only feels like a burden, they may begin to lose sight of why learning matters at all. That’s why adaptability is so vital—not only for today’s lessons, but for the kind of adults our children are becoming.

You Got This

Homeschooling requires strength, perseverance, and a willingness to adapt. There will be times when you feel unsure, when the plans you made fall apart, or when the weight of responsibility feels heavy. But remember this: no one in the world loves your child the way you do, and no one is better equipped to notice the subtle shifts in their heart, their behavior, or their needs. That is part of the gift of home education. It’s also part of the commitment you made when you chose to take on the role of your child’s primary educator.

Is it hard? YES.

Is it doable? YES.

And the beauty is, you are never locked into one path. Even if you’ve made a decision that turns out not to be the best, you can always adjust. I know—because I’ve been there. Once, I enrolled one of my kids into public school, and we lasted exactly six days (and that included a holiday weekend!) before realizing it wasn’t right for him. The school staff looked at me like I was crazy when I pulled him out, but it was absolutely the right call. We never regretted it, and today we even laugh about it.

That’s the heart of homeschooling: the freedom to make changes, to correct course, and to choose what’s best for your child in each season. If you have breath, you have the opportunity to adjust and move forward with wisdom and courage.

I believe in you.

You got this.

If you’re struggling and don’t know what to do next, consider working with one of our homeschool coaches—I specifically handpicked these women because they’ve lived this journey, understand it deeply, and know exactly what it feels like to be stuck or unsure. They’re here to walk alongside you, give you clarity, and help you move forward with confidence. If you’re struggling and don’t know what step to take next, don’t do it alone-click here to connect with a coach today.