I know this may shock some of you, but we weren’t perfect at the homeschooling thing 😉 And  if I could do it all over again, we still wouldn’t do it perfectly. It just isn’t possible. But now that my boys are both in college, I can share with you what I would do differently in our homeschool. 

When our youngest graduated from our homeschool, I decided I didn’t want to look back and dwell on my mistakes, my imperfections, and even my sin as a homeschooling mom (Did you know sin means to “miss the mark”? I definitely did that some!). 

But I don’t think it hurts to look back in order to evaluate our homeschool.

Why Evaluation is Important

Evaluate means to assess  “or estimate the nature, quality, ability, extent, or significance of” something. So if you are in the middle of homeschooling it will give you the perspective you need to create the homeschool experience you want to have. Because when you assess the “quality and significance” of what you are doing, you hopefully ask questions like,

• Is what we are doing effective?
• Does it align with our desires and goals for our homeschool?
• Have we kept the most important things, the most important things?”

But for those of us who have graduated our kids, evaluating our homeschools might just help someone else on their own homeschooling journey. You’ve heard the phrase “experience is the best teacher.” And that is true! But why not learn from other people’s experience, too?

What Would I Do Differently in our Homeschool?

I asked seven homeschooling moms with teens and graduates the question. Of course their answers varied, but I think you’ll notice some common themes. (And I want to invite you to check out their websites for a host of other information!)

1. Connie Albers, mom of five homeschool graduates, author and speaker, Connie Albers

Many parents ask me what I would do differently if I could do it all over again. I immediately respond by saying, I’d stop using curriculum that wasn’t working sooner. Even though I tailored each child’s education to their unique learning style, I took too long to find another way to teach the subject. Those highly recommended books may not be the best for your child.

The second thing I would do differently is not worrying about what our family or friends think. I allowed others to sway how we homeschooled more than I should have.

2. Cheryl Bastian, mother of eight children ages twenty-seven to toddler, author and speaker, Celebrate Simple

Education involves more than engaging a mind. It’s nurturing a heart, mind, and soul. Observe and foster your child’s strengths. Call out their giftings and speak life into them. Empathize with their challenges and celebrate their triumphs. Spending time with your children, talking with them face-to-face and listening to their concerns—even when you have been wronged or have other opinions—communicates that their thoughts and well-being are important.

3. Michelle Caskey, mother of two teen sons, author at Homeschool-Your-Boys

The biggest thing I’d like to change is to worry less and trust God more. I’m still working on this BIG TIME!

Acutally, Michelle wrote an entire post on this particular topic: Looking Back 14 Years – My Biggest Homeschool Regret

4. Michelle Curren, mother of two homeschool graduates, author at Mid-Life Blogger

Happily, I don’t have very many regrets, but one thing I would do differently is to relax sooner. I had the same fears and anxieties as most other homeschool parents, but as long as God is your guidance counselor, and you’re being diligent in your homeschooling, you can relax and embrace the wonderful freedom that it brings. It isn’t a matter of checking every box and teaching them every possible thing, it’s the loving atmosphere of your homeschool, and putting God first, that makes them flourish.

5. Sara Dennis, mother of six children including three homeschool graduates, author at Classically Homeschooling

I would focus on consistency. It’s better to have a short and sweet homeschool routine that is completed daily than to have the perfect homeschool which burns you out. Kids who have a strong habit of sitting down and studying every day flourish in high school and beyond because consistency is the key to success.

6. Pat Fenner, mother of five and home educator for over 20 years, author at Breakthrough Homeschooling

I’d have listened more to what the kids were interested in, especially my two oldest (there are 9 years between #2 and #3). Can’t tell you how often I “referred” to reading lists and scope n’ sequences to make sure we were studying the “right thing” at the “right time”. Ugh… Thankfully, I was much more relaxed with my younger 3, but still…

7. Kathie Morrissey, mother of eight homeschool graduates, author at The Character Corner

I would judge my homeschooling success more by how much wisdom my children have learned, rather than if they were ‘caught up’ for their grade level.

What Will You Do In Your Homeschool?

The most important question though, is “What will you do in your own homeschool?” Every family is different. And every family has the opportunity to be a team when it comes to the homeschooling adventure.

When we begin by considering what we believe about education and how we want to homeschool our children, we have a firm foundation to build upon. But even in this, we have to give ourselves a lot of grace throughout our journey. And we have to remember to keep the most important things the most important things. To define and realize what true homeschooling success is for our families.

No. You won’t do this homeschooling thing perfectly, and that is OK. But you can consider what those who have gone before you have learned. And maybe it can help guide you on your own journey.

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