Planning

How to Start Lightly Planning for Next Year—Without Overthinking It

Hey there, homeschool mama—

It’s April. You’re probably juggling end-of-year wrap-ups, trying to finish a few lingering lessons, and maybe even bracing yourself for testing or evaluations. But somewhere between those math worksheets and your third cup of coffee, your mind might be drifting toward next year.

“Maybe we’ll switch things up a little…”

“I should start researching curriculum soon.”

“What if we finally join that co-op next fall?”

And before you know it, what started as a gentle thought becomes a rabbit hole of Pinterest boards, curriculum carts, and 47 open tabs.

But here’s the truth:

You don’t need to plan everything right now.

In fact—you shouldn’t.

This is the perfect time for light planning—the kind that’s low-pressure, fun, and full of possibility. The kind that helps you slowly gather inspiration without locking yourself into anything yet.

This post will walk you through how to lightly plan for next year in a way that’s actually helpful (not overwhelming), with practical steps and a little room to dream. Let’s make this fun again, shall we?

1. Start with Gentle Reflections

Before diving into what’s next, take a quiet moment to reflect on what’s been.

Grab your favorite notebook, open a notes app, or just think through these prompts on a walk or while folding laundry:

What felt life-giving this year?
What subjects lit your kids up?
What routines helped your days feel smoother?
What felt like a struggle or consistently stressful?
What moments made you say, “This is why we homeschool”?

You don’t need to have detailed answers. This isn’t about evaluating yourself—it’s about gathering little clues to guide next year’s choices.

Pro Tip: Don’t try to solve problems or change anything right now. Just notice what’s working and what’s not.

2. Build a “Planning Shelf” for Next Year

Ever had a brilliant idea mid-April, only to completely forget it by July?

That’s why you need a Planning Shelf—a place to gently set aside ideas, resources, and inspiration for next year. Think of it like a mental (or physical) shelf where good things can wait patiently until you’re ready to come back to them.

What might you put on your Planning Shelf?

Curriculum you want to check out
Read-aloud book ideas
Unit study topics or themes
Field trip destinations
New routines or schedules to try
Helpful blog posts or podcasts

You can keep your Planning Shelf in a:

Google Doc or Trello board
Dedicated section of your homeschool binder
Spiral notebook or sticky note wall
Notes app on your phone

Whatever format you choose, the goal is to take the pressure off your brain and give your ideas a home. That way, when you are ready to plan, all the gold nuggets are waiting for you.

3. Reconnect with Your “Why”

It’s tempting to jump straight into curriculum research or next year’s schedule. But before you do, take a deep breath and come back to this question:

Why are we homeschooling?

Your “why” might look different from another family’s, and that’s okay. The important thing is that you’re clear on what matters to you.

Do you value a slower pace or nature-based learning?
Are you homeschooling to allow more family connection?
Is your priority flexibility, faith, or individualized education?

Write your “why” down and stick it somewhere visible. Let it guide your decisions instead of outside pressure, trends, or Instagram comparisons.

4. Let Yourself Dream a Little

Now we’re getting to the good stuff—the fun, light, imaginative part of spring planning.

You’re not choosing curriculum. You’re not finalizing anything. You’re just dreaming.

Here are two wonderful areas to dream about (without needing to commit yet):

Read-Aloud Possibilities

Read-alouds are often the heart of the homeschool day—and they’re one of the easiest things to start planning early. Make a wishlist of books you might want to read next year, like:

Seasonal stories for fall and winter
Historical fiction to pair with history topics
Books tied to specific unit studies
Audiobooks for roadschooling or rest time

Let your kids help brainstorm! Ask what kinds of stories they want more of—funny, fantasy, mysteries, adventure? Then add them to your Planning Shelf.

Field Trip Bucket List

Spring is a great time to dream about next year’s field trips. Even if you don’t book anything yet, creating a list of ideas organized by season can make planning a breeze later.

Here are a few places to spark inspiration:

Local museums or science centers
State or national parks
Factory tours, fire stations, or farms
Living history museums or reenactment events
Performing arts (theater, orchestra, etc.)
Outdoor seasonal experiences (apple picking, nature hikes)

Pro Tip: Field trips are often the first thing that gets forgotten once the year gets busy—but with a few notes on your Planning Shelf, you’ll have a head start.

5. Focus on One Child at a Time

Trying to plan everything for everyone all at once = stress city.

Instead, pick one child and start thinking gently about what they might need next year.

What are their learning strengths?
Where are they still growing?
What are they interested in?
Are they ready for more independence or structure?

You can even start a mini Planning Shelf for each child with notes specific to them. This child-centered approach keeps your planning manageable and focused—without the overwhelm.

6. Choose One Subject to Research (Just One!)

If you’re itching to start exploring curriculum, that’s totally okay—just don’t try to research everything right now.

Pick one subject that didn’t go so well this year (math, maybe?) and allow yourself to explore a few options. Read some reviews, download samples, or watch walk-throughs—but give yourself a time limit or a set number of resources to check.

Then? Step away. Put your notes on your Planning Shelf and revisit them when it’s time to finalize.

7. Sketch a Loose Framework (Not a Full Plan)

While you don’t need a detailed schedule in April, it can help to sketch a basic framework for next year.

Try answering:

When will we likely start our homeschool year?
Will we do a 4-day or 5-day week?
Do we want to follow a term schedule or go by months?
What subjects are non-negotiables next year?
Are we leaning toward a theme, focus, or rhythm?

Think of this framework as scaffolding—you’ll fill in the details later, but for now, it gives you a light sense of direction.

8. Chat with Other Homeschool Moms

Planning doesn’t have to be a solo gig.

Spring is the perfect time to chat with other homeschool moms and ask:

What are you thinking about for next year?
Have you tried any new routines or resources you loved?
What are you doing differently next time?

These casual conversations often spark new ideas and can make planning feel way less lonely. You might even want to host a “homeschool vision night” with friends—a cozy evening with snacks, notebooks, and lots of good chats.