Why I Changed Our Homeschool Curriculum Mid-Year (Without Guilt)

At the beginning of the school year, I shared the homeschool curriculum I was so excited to use. I had planned carefully, started intentionally, and truly believed we were set.

And then… life happened.

If you’re here because the curriculum you chose isn’t working — or homeschooling suddenly feels heavy, stressful, or off-track — this post is for you. I want to walk you through what we kept, what we changed, and why, without guilt or pressure.

Because changing curriculum doesn’t mean you failed.
It means you’re paying attention.

When a Good Start Isn’t Enough

We actually started the school year well. We eased in slowly and intentionally, which I still believe is the best way to begin.

But as the weeks went on, real life piled up. Our homeschool routine became inconsistent, stress crept in, and things started to feel harder than they needed to be.

At that point, I knew we didn’t need to scrap everything — we needed a reset.

What Stayed the Same (Because It Was Working)

One of the most important lessons I’ve learned in homeschooling is this:

👉 If something is working, don’t touch it.

Our math and science were solid. The kids were learning, there was no resistance, and the flow made sense for our days.

So we kept:

• Math with The Good and the Beautiful
• Science through Generations

No changes. No second guessing. Just clarity.

Why English Wasn’t Working

The biggest struggle we were facing was English, especially with my first grader.

The curriculum I had chosen wasn’t a full program. I found myself constantly needing to add extra pieces just to cover the basics. That extra mental load mattered — especially during a season where life already felt full.

On top of that, my son’s attitude toward school with me was changing. The tension between teacher and parent was growing, and that was something I wanted to address quickly and gently.

Why We Switched to a Video-Based Curriculum

For my first grader, I decided to switch to Abeka Academy.

What made the difference:

• It’s a complete curriculum (phonics, spelling, writing, poetry — all included)
• Lessons are video-based, taught by another teacher in a classroom setting
• It removed the tension between me and my child

He watches the lesson, learns in a classroom-style environment, and I get to support instead of constantly instruct. That shift alone made a huge difference in our homeschool dynamic.

👉 If you’re struggling with resistance or burnout, sometimes changing the format — not homeschooling itself — is the answer.

What Changed for Kindergarten (An Honest Review)

For my kindergartener, I had been using The Measured Mom, which I still wholeheartedly recommend.

However, in this particular season, I felt scattered. I needed something more all-in-one and simple, especially while juggling life outside of homeschool.

We switched to Lead and Succeed, and here’s my honest take:

What I Love

• Very thorough reading instruction
• Strong phonics foundation with handwriting form
• Blends and digraphs are included early

What Might Not Work for Everyone

• It’s fully digital
• No physical readers or cut-and-paste activities

This makes it a great option for:

• Families with limited homeschool space
• New homeschoolers who don’t want lots of supplies
• Homeschoolers just starting out (this is great for preschool and toddlers too!)

I personally prefer some physical materials, but this program has worked well for us in this season.

Our New Daily Homeschool Rhythm

Curriculum wasn’t the only thing that needed adjusting — our timing did too.

I’ve learned that if homeschool doesn’t happen in the morning, the chances of it happening at all drop dramatically. So now, we protect that time.

Our rhythm looks like this:

1. English first
2. Short break
3. Math
4. Science together
5. Lunch
6. Art or social studies in the afternoon

It’s not a rigid schedule — it’s a predictable flow. Everyone knows what comes next, and that consistency matters more than perfect timing.

Adjusting Without Guilt

Changing curriculum mid-year isn’t quitting.

It’s:

• observing what’s working
• identifying stress points
• adjusting intentionally

This is part of homeschooling. This is part of designing a life that works for your family — not forcing yourself into something that no longer fits.

Watch the Full Curriculum Reset on YouTube

If you want to hear me walk through these changes in real time — including my thought process and how this felt emotionally — you can watch the full video here:

Watching the full explanation may help you feel less alone if you’re facing similar decisions.

Final Encouragement

If your homeschool feels hard right now, pause and ask:

• What’s working?
• What isn’t?
• What could be simplified?

You don’t need a perfect plan — you need one that works for this season.

And it’s okay if that changes.