January Homeschool Update: Finishing Strong with Support All Around
January is here, and we are officially nearing the end of our The Good and the Beautiful curriculum books. Each of the boys has about 20 lessons left, and they are so excited to finish these books and move on to the next level. Watching their excitement grow has been such a reminder that learning really can be enjoyable when it’s done at their pace.
Since this is our first year homeschooling, I wanted to keep things simple and focused. This school year, we’ve been working mainly on handwriting, math, and ELA. I do add in other subjects here and there, but my main goal was to make sure the boys truly understood the basics and built a strong foundation. So far, everyone is thriving, improving, and gaining confidence, which has been so encouraging to see.
One of the most beautiful parts of homeschooling is the flexibility. Especially when it comes to choosing curriculum and adjusting as you go. Right now, we’re using The Good and the Beautiful for handwriting, math, and English. They offer both free printable options and physical workbooks you can order directly from their website. This time around, I chose the free printable version, but once the boys finish their current workbooks, I’ll most likely be ordering the physical books. Printing takes a lot of time and ink, and there have definitely been moments when I didn’t realize we were completely out of ink right in the middle of a lesson.
When we first made the decision to pull the kids from school and start this homeschool journey, I had a lot of questions and honestly, a lot of nerves. I’m so thankful for the people who supported and guided us during that time. My friend Samantha from Dreams of Grace and Grit was such a huge help in the beginning. She checked in on me, answered my questions, encouraged me, and reminded me that it was okay to take things slow and figure things out as we went. Having someone who had already walked this path made such a difference and helped me feel less alone.
We’ve also been incredibly blessed to have family support throughout this process. Having family members who encouraged us, shared advice, and reassured us that we were making the right choice gave me so much confidence. Knowing we had people cheering us on made those early days of uncertainty feel a lot less overwhelming.
As we move into the next level of schooling, I’m still deciding whether we’ll continue with The Good and the Beautiful or try a different curriculum. That’s one of the things I love most about homeschooling, you’re allowed to adjust, pivot, and do what works best for your kids and your family.
If you’re new to homeschooling or thinking about starting, just know this: it doesn’t have to be perfect. Focus on the basics, give yourself grace, lean on your support system, and take it one step at a time. We’re learning right alongside our kids and that’s all part of this journey.
