Uploaded March 2023 | Updated September 2026, 16 hours ago
Being a checklist mom in the homeschool world has become a bit of a dirty word over the past few years. Things like list-checking, scheduling, and laminating are done in secret or not at all. It is not quite fashionable anymore to actually desire and achieve some structure in your homeschool day.
Because if you are, you simply must be damaging relationships.
Because it can’t possibly be accomplished without being a psycho mom or causing yourself so much stress your hair begins to fall out.
Because it might make the other homeschool moms feel less.
(Yeah, I went there)
In truth, organization and structure have exactly the opposite effect on my homeschool than what some might think. Because I know what we are doing and where we are going in our day-to-day, I have time to step back and focus on enjoying my kids and building those relationships.
Since I have put systems in place, our routine mapped out, and made all my paper copies for the school year, I actually feel much less stress.
And my job is to encourage moms, but I think checklist moms need some encouragement too. If you are fine with flying by the seat of your pants, following whatever learning experience piques your interest today or schooling in your pajamas with messy hair, then good for you! I am glad you have found your happiness and peace.
But if flying by the seat of your pants and an unmade bed makes you cringe and begin to hyperventilate …If reading all the “you should be doing less” makes you feel worse instead of better …If you have tried it their way but that only increases your feelings of discontent with your homeschool then maybe you are a little more checklist mom than you might be willing to admit.
And it’s time to embrace that. Stop apologizing for it. Because honestly, we have too much to do to spend time being responsible for the feelings of the homeschool mom down the street. We have kids to educate and wringing our hands over hurting feelings needs to stop taking up space on the to-do list.
Learn how you can embrace your gifts (& how having a homeschool plan can make your year better) at PamBarnhill.com/checklist-homeschool-moms
Being a checklist mom in the homeschool world has become a bit of a dirty word over the past few years. Things like list-checking, scheduling, and laminating are done in secret or not at all. It is not quite fashionable anymore to actually desire and achieve some structure in your homeschool day.
Because if you are, you simply must be damaging relationships.
Because it can’t possibly be accomplished without being a psycho mom or causing yourself so much stress your hair begins to fall out.
Because it might make the other homeschool moms feel less.
(Yeah, I went there)
In truth, organization and structure have exactly the opposite effect on my homeschool than what some might think. Because I know what we are doing and where we are going in our day-to-day, I have time to step back and focus on enjoying my kids and building those relationships.
Since I have put systems in place, our routine mapped out, and made all my paper copies for the school year, I actually feel much less stress.
And my job is to encourage moms, but I think checklist moms need some encouragement too. If you are fine with flying by the seat of your pants, following whatever learning experience piques your interest today or schooling in your pajamas with messy hair, then good for you! I am glad you have found your happiness and peace.
But if flying by the seat of your pants and an unmade bed makes you cringe and begin to hyperventilate …If reading all the “you should be doing less” makes you feel worse instead of better …If you have tried it their way but that only increases your feelings of discontent with your homeschool then maybe you are a little more checklist mom than you might be willing to admit.
And it’s time to embrace that. Stop apologizing for it. Because honestly, we have too much to do to spend time being responsible for the feelings of the homeschool mom down the street. We have kids to educate and wringing our hands over hurting feelings needs to stop taking up space on the to-do list.
Learn how you can embrace your gifts (& how having a homeschool plan can make your year better) at PamBarnhill.com/checklist-homeschool-moms
