When To End The Homeschool Year

When To End The Homeschool Year ~
Written by Jessica Waldock of The Waldock Way

We’ve almost made it! There is light at the end of the tunnel. The end of our homeschool year is right around the corner. 

But it feels like an uphill battle. Every year these last few weeks feel like the hardest. Around this time, homeschool moms everywhere begin dragging, trying to finish the homeschool year strong.

We start eliminating things that don’t feel essential. We begin trying to determine how we can double up math lessons and get more done in the few days we have left.  The whole family is SO ready to be done!

So when is it okay to call it quits on the homeschool year? And is there a trophy for finishing strong?

There is so much pressure to end the homeschool year “strong”

We all feel the pressure this time of year, but where does it come from? I’ll be the first to admit that I pressure myself most after scrolling social media. All the Instagram influences telling me to keep pushing really have an effect.

As homeschool moms, it can be easy to get sucked in and feel guilty about what we have accomplished during the year, especially what we haven’t managed to accomplish.

Did I do enough this year? If you’re asking that question, I want to encourage you to give yourself grace.

The answer is yes, you have done enough. Comparison will steal your joy every time so don’t get sucked in by social media. We all have gaps in our learning, so stay focused on your family’s unique homeschool goals.

Teachers around the world have a hard stop to their school year, and that day almost always comes around before they reach the end of the textbook or their final lesson plan.

Remember, there’s no such thing as your child being behind in homeschool. Behind who?

I want to encourage you to let it go and finish the homeschool year with a strong connection and lots of grace instead.

How we know it is time to end the homeschool year

So, how do you decide when enough is enough in your homeschool year? At the Waldock house, we have decided its okay to call it quits whenever and however works best for us.

In the end, I’m prioritizing our relationships over a few extra weeks of double math lessons, lots of stress, and cranky family members. 

If you’re trying to decide when to be done, pick your priorities first. If your priority is completing the entire math curriculum or book list, keep chugging along.

However, if you’ve started to feel the need to be done and you’re more focused on planning next year than finishing this one, it might be time to call it quits and embrace the end of the homeschool year without a fight.

Why I am not focused on ending the homeschool year “strong”

I already know we won’t finish our homeschool year strong this time and I’m okay with that. For our family, pushing through just for the sake of finishing does more harm than good. It turns me into a stressed out dictator, leaves us all exhausted, and usually doesn’t amount to retaining anything we’re learning anyway.

Instead, I’m embracing my excitement about planning next year. I’m putting my energy into thinking about what we have done right this year and what I’d like to do differently next year. I’m taking the lessons we have learned and making plans to build on them in the future rather than filling our final days with busy work to drive us all crazy.

The decision to end the homeschool year is a challenging one. But remember, you know your family’s needs best. Do what makes the most sense and give yourself some much deserved grace.

I’d love to read about what you’ve decided for your family and why in the comments!

What’s Your Homeschool Mom Personality? Take Jamie’s quiz now and receive a free personality report to help you organize your homeschool based on what your personality type needs most!