The new year is upon us and now is time for everyone to start evaluating how the school year is going so far.  This can be a tricky time of year because you might feel you have not done what you wanted to and either be motivated to do better or discouraged and give up.  Don’t give up!

Here are the top 5 thing that you can do for your homeschool in the New Year.

1.Throw Out New Year Resolutions

I know, I know, this is crazy talk.  I would’ve been the first to admit it until I read The 12 Week Year: Get More Done in 12 Weeks than others do in 12 Months by Brian P. Moran and Michael Lennington.  This book talks about how New Year Resolutions enable procrastination.  It makes us believe we have an entire year to get it done but then we fail to execute and find ourselves scrambling at the end of the year to be productive or not being productive at all.  This can even be paralleled to your homeschool.  You start of the homeschool year thinking you have all the time in the world, only to find that the year is slipping by and you are homeschooling during the summer (because you didn’t finish- not because you want or chose to).

So do you make no plans at all? Of course not, you just make plans for a shorter time period… a 12 Week Year time period to be exact.  There is so much good stuff in shifting your thinking to the 12 Week Year that I just can’t put it all in here. Go to www.12weekyear.com/gettingstarted to start your 12 Week Year plan for free. And if you are looking for a community to support you, join EPIC at www.epichsn.org .

2. Keep It Simple Silly – K.I.S.S.

As you make your 12 Week Year goals, don’t try to do too much.  Try to keep it simple.  Rome was not built in a day and neither is your kids education.  However, every day counts so make sure you have your basics covered: Math, English, Reading, Science and Social Studies.  All the other extra curricular activities are nice but if it is getting in the way and stressing you out, cut back.  It’s okay! Keep it Simple!  Stick to 2 or 3 goals to execute and focus on that.

3. People Forget, Paper Remembers – Write it Down

This was something my college professor “Shand the Man” use to say.  “People Forget, Paper Remembers.  Write it down!”  Write down your plan for the week or write down what you did that day.  Either way, write it down.  You will be amazed at how much you actually did with your kids  when you write it down.  This is also helpful for reporting or homeschool portfolios.

When you plan, you are more likely to execute. According to Brian P. Moran and Michael Lennington from The 12 Week Year: Get More Done in 12 Weeks than others do in 12 Months “Working from a plan has three distinct benefits: it reduces mistakes, it saves times, and it provides focus” (p. 25).  Write it down, read it and review it daily.

4. Get Plugged In

Don’t be on an island homeschooling by yourself.  Get plugged in!  EPIC Homeschool Network and the South Cobb Regional Library is hosting it’s annual EPIC Homeschool Resource Fair on Wednesday, January 24, 2018 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the South Cobb Regional Library located at 805 Clay Road, Mableton, GA 30122.  This is a great way to get plugged into other homeschoolers and see what local resources are available.  Check out more at https://epichsn.com/2018-homeschool-resource-fair/.  We also offer a variety of online resources like our Online Resource Library and our Podcast Channel.

5. Get an Accountability Buddy

This piggy backs off the last tip but this is more personal.  Get connected with one like minded person (preferably a homeschool parent)  and let them know your goals and plans.  Ask them help you be accountable and schedule weekly check in calls.

Don’t let 2018 come, pass you by and leave you wondering, “What happened!”  Get started today and follow these top 5 Things to Do for Your Homeschool in the New Year.