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Did we do enough this year?

It’s the question homeschool moms ask on repeat this time of year.

The planner pages are worn. The workbooks have taken a beating. Somewhere between co-op performances, nature walks, and math meltdowns, the whole year feels like a blur.

But maybe there’s a better question to ask at the end of a homeschool year:

What would be in your homeschool highlight reel?

Why Checkboxes Don’t Tell the Whole Story

It’s easy to focus on what didn’t get done—the unfinished curriculum, the days that went off the rails, the still-unused art supplies. And those loud moments (the tantrums, the chaos, the guilt)? They tend to stick around longer than the quiet victories.

But if we paused the pressure and shifted our perspective, we might see something beautiful:

A year overflowing with connection, growth, and small-but-sacred wins.

How to Catch the Joy Before It Slips By

Ally shared a favorite tradition:

Each New Year, her family looks through their photos month by month, writing favorite memories on a whiteboard. What starts with “we didn’t do much” quickly turns into “oh wow—look at everything we did.”

It’s a powerful reminder:

Joy flits by if we’re not looking for it.

But hardship? That tends to linger.

So what if we flipped the script?

What if we captured the joy—and let go of the rest?

What Really Makes the Highlight Reel

Consider playing a simple game like one of the hosts does: every day, each person shares three things they’re grateful for.

And guess what?

Almost none of those things are academic achievements.

Instead, they’re moments like:

“That morning snowball fight before history.”

“The day we couldn’t stop laughing during read-alouds.”

“When we helped the new family move in.”

Those are the real wins.

It’s the connection.

The character growth.

The consistency of showing up and doing life together.

Want to Start Your Own Highlight Reel? Try These:

Gratitude Note on Your Phone – Jot down little wins as they happen in your Notes app.

Monthly Photo Recap – Scroll through your pictures at the end of each month and choose a favorite memory to remember or print.

Highlight Bins – Building file binders or boxes with one folder per month per child to hold meaningful samples, artwork, and/or photos.

️ Ask Better Questions – Instead of “Did we do enough?” try:

- What made us laugh this year?

- What challenge did we overcome?

- Where did we grow—even if it wasn’t academic?

Color Code Your Planner – Use a special pen color to track meaningful, connection-filled moments throughout the year in your planner, so you can look back and find them quickly.

Because the Best Parts of Homeschooling?

They don’t always come with a grade or a certificate.

Sometimes they sound like:

“My child showed up for a neighbor—without being asked.”

“We laughed our way through science.”

“I didn’t yell today.”

“I’m still homeschooling—two decades later.”

Sometimes, they’re just the quiet realization that your kids get it—even when the lessons weren’t perfect.

So Before You Close the Book on This Year...

Take a breath.

Flip through the pictures.

- Ask your kids what they remember.

- Celebrate the little things.

- Honor your consistency.

- Notice the joy.

- Laugh at the chaos (because one day, you will).

The best parts of your homeschool year might not fit in a portfolio—but they’re the ones shaping your family forever.

Watch the full episode to hear our favorite traditions, funny stories, and practical ways to build your family’s homeschool highlight reel. And don't forget to subscribe so you don't miss next season!

Read the full blog post at https://thehomeschoolperspective.com/ep32

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