Still Unlearning Public School: A Homeschool Journey

Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about what makes homeschooling successful.How do you know if what you’re teaching is enough?

I’ve been homeschooling my kids for about five years now, and while we’ve found our rhythm in many ways, I still find myself asking that question. Over the years, I’ve researched so many different methods, trying to find what works best for our family. At one point, I tried unit studies—but I found the planning to be incredibly time-consuming. So now, I use them sparingly, choosing specific topics where they make the most impact.

We eventually returned to using workbooks, and surprisingly, it wasn’t too difficult teaching two different grade levels that way. I just had to space out subjects to give each child focused time. But then another question came up: Am I overwhelming them?

I’ve definitely hit that wall with my kids. As someone who spent more time in public school than being homeschooled, I often catch myself trying to conform to a system we deliberately stepped away from. But that’s the issue—homeschooling is supposed to be freedom from that structure. It’s supposed to offer flexibility. And yet, sometimes I find that hard to embrace.

For example, when I assign schoolwork and my kids finish quickly, I second-guess myself. Was it too easy? So I give them more—and then comes the halt. The stall. The overwhelm. I’ve seen it happen, and I’m learning to recognize it.

Now add in Missouri’s homeschool laws—specifically the 1,000 required hours per year—and I feel even more boxed in. In theory, 1,000 hours should be more flexible than 180 school days, but somehow it doesn’t feel that way. My public school background likely plays a role in that mindset.

Sometimes, my kids move through curriculum faster than it’s designed for, and I’m left wondering how to make up the remaining hours. I’ve joined Facebook groups and read posts from other homeschoolers who reassure me that everything counts—life skills, nature walks, conversations, even play. And it makes sense. I believe that learning happens all day long.

But my brain still wants tidy categories—clear boxes to sort every moment into. When my kids do something throughout the day, I struggle to decide where to log it and what subject it should count as. I wish it came more naturally.

Some fellow homeschoolers have gently pointed out that I might not be tracking everything I should. At the end of the school year, when I review our logs, I start second-guessing: Am I counting things right? Am I even counting everything?

It’s a learning process—for them and for me. But I’m slowly realizing that homeschooling isn’t about fitting into the public school mold. It’s about freedom with intention, not structure out of fear.