Homeschooling
Oh No, You Selected the Wrong Curriculum!
If you’ve ever sat down at the kitchen table, fresh box of curriculum in hand, and thought, This is it, this will be the year everything clicks, only to realize a few weeks later that it’s just not working… you’re not alone. Every homeschooling parent I know has faced this moment at some point.
Maybe your child is frustrated and dragging their feet. Maybe you dread opening the teacher’s manual. Or maybe it worked well for your older child but your younger one is just not connecting with it. Whatever the reason, it’s completely normal to feel like you “picked the wrong one.”
Here’s the good news: curriculum is just a tool. You are the teacher. And that means you always have the power to adjust, adapt, or even walk away.
1. Adjust What You Have
Sometimes the problem isn’t the whole curriculum; it’s just how it’s being used. Try tweaking the pacing, skipping busywork, or supplementing with videos, games, or hands-on activities. Small adjustments can breathe new life into something that felt stale.
Think of it like cooking. Just because a recipe says “2 teaspoons of salt” doesn’t mean you have to use it. You can season to taste.
2. Remember: You Can Switch
If it truly isn’t working, you don’t have to force it. Homeschooling is flexible by design. You can switch to something new in the middle of the year or even the middle of the week. There’s no “homeschool police” checking your shelves.
Yes, it might feel like a waste of money, but here’s the truth: your peace of mind and your child’s learning are worth more than the cost of a book.
3. One Size Doesn’t Fit All
A curriculum that worked beautifully for one child may completely flop for another. That doesn’t mean you did anything wrong. It just means your children are unique learners. And that’s exactly why you chose homeschooling in the first place, to meet them where they are.
4. Don’t Stress…This Is Normal
Here’s a secret: every homeschool parent feels like they “messed up” a curriculum choice at some point. It’s part of the journey. The truth is, learning happens in so many ways through conversations, projects, field trips, reading, play, and life itself. A curriculum is only one piece of the puzzle.
So take a deep breath. You haven’t ruined your homeschool. In fact, the flexibility to pivot and try something new is what makes homeschooling so powerful.
Homeschooling isn’t about finding the “perfect” curriculum. It’s about finding what works for your family, right now. And sometimes, that means trying something, realizing it doesn’t fit, and moving forward with confidence.
So if you’ve found yourself whispering, “Oh no, I picked the wrong curriculum,” remember this: you are not failing. You’re learning, alongside your child. And that’s exactly what homeschooling is all about.