{"id":64680,"date":"2023-09-05T11:44:39","date_gmt":"2023-09-05T15:44:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplehomeschool.net\/?p=64680"},"modified":"2026-01-28T16:19:16","modified_gmt":"2026-01-28T21:19:16","slug":"successful-school-year","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplehomeschool.net\/successful-school-year\/","title":{"rendered":"8 helpful expectations for a successful school year"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"successful<\/a><\/p>\n

8 helpful expectations for a successful school year~
\nWritten by Kari Patterson<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

My husband used to call me a\u00a0delusional optimist<\/em>.<\/strong> Not just optimistic, ridiculously<\/em> optimistic. Or, from his perspective, optimistic in a way that doesn’t line up with reality.<\/p>\n

I concede.<\/p>\n

And while I still believe that a healthy optimism is critically necessary to life (hello, hope<\/em>!), that optimism has shifted significantly over the last dozen years of homeschooling<\/strong><\/a>. Instead of expecting endless ideal days, I expect real<\/em> days that bring about the growth and maturity my children and I need most.<\/p>\n

But I still have to remind myself, especially as we start a new school year.<\/strong><\/p>\n

So perhaps you already know all this, but just in case you also need a reminder, here are 8 helpful <\/em>expectations for a successful school year:<\/h2>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

1. We will likely have at least one unexpected life event that will require a break from school. <\/strong><\/h3>\n

That’s okay. We’ll slow down. We’ll pray.<\/p>\n

We’ll cancel a few lessons or miss a practice or two. We’ll skip the lesson or catch up later, and we’ll learn valuable life-lessons we didn’t even know we needed.<\/p>\n

2. We will probably choose to skip a book that was on the “must read” list somewhere along the way because it just bores us all to tears.<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Even if it’s a book that everyone else loves or something the experts say they “just have to read.”<\/p>\n

Even if we spent money on said book. It’ll give us a chance to evaluate something together and reason through a decision as a team.<\/p>\n

3. Guaranteed: We will need to make adjustments mid-year.<\/strong><\/h3>\n

That’s great. That’s why we homeschool!<\/p>\n

4. I will probably feel like a failure and cry myself to sleep at some point.<\/strong><\/h3>\n

This too shall pass. Remember that every parent experiences this, not just homeschool ones.<\/p>\n

5. At times the house will feel overwhelmingly messy and disorganized.<\/strong><\/h3>\n

We’ll tackle one area at a time. The kids will learn to contribute more and we’ll be forced into better habits.<\/p>\n

We’ll grow. It’ll be fine.<\/p>\n

6. I will need to apologize to one or more of my children at some point, possibly many points, this year<\/strong>.<\/h3>\n

I will need to apologize for my own words or attitude. They will get to see me humble myself. We’ll work through forgiveness.<\/p>\n

We’ll learn to love each other better. This is a win.<\/p>\n

7. There will probably be vomit.<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Someone will throw up on something. Things can be washed. It’s okay.<\/p>\n

8. We will struggle, we will persevere, and we will emerge at the end of the year a little changed, for the better<\/strong>.<\/h3>\n

It’s a difficult and glorious journey, one that’s worth every ounce of blood, sweat, and tears.<\/p>\n

Let this year be a year that you embrace these expectations and be encouraged.<\/p>\n

You’ve got this Mom. You’ve got this Dad. It’s going to be a great year!<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

What’s Your Homeschool Mom Personality? Take Jamie’s quiz now<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0and receive a free personality report to help you organize your homeschool based on what your type needs most!<\/em><\/p>\n

<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

8 helpful expectations for a successful school year~ Written by Kari Patterson My husband used to call me a\u00a0delusional optimist. Not just optimistic, ridiculously optimistic. Or, from his perspective, optimistic in a way that doesn’t line up with reality. I concede. 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