How we clear the clutter, reset expectations, and step into a calmer homeschool year.
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Every January, I feel that mix of excitement and overwhelm. A brand-new year sounds refreshing… until I look around and realize we still have December glitter on the floor, half-used workbooks shoved into baskets, and a homeschool rhythm that needs a serious tune-up. If you’re anything like me, the new year makes you want to breathe again — slowly, intentionally, without chaos.
So this year, I decided to create a true January Homeschool Reset for my kids (12 and 6) and for my own sanity. And let me tell you — the difference has been incredible. I’m sharing our full reset routine here because I know so many of us hit that mid-year homeschool slump. You’re not doing anything wrong. It’s simply time to re-evaluate, declutter, and breathe life back into your homeschool.
This is everything we do to start fresh—mindset, organization, planning, curriculum tweaks, goal setting, and even how we ease back into learning after the holidays without stress.
If you’ve been craving a reset, I hope this helps you feel grounded and inspired instead of overwhelmed and behind.
Why We do a January Homeschool Reset
By the time January hits, our homeschool usually needs a recharge. Fall is always exciting—we buy new curriculum, decorate our school space, and create routines. But let’s be honest: those routines slip, life happens, and sometimes we realize a curriculum we thought would work… just isn’t working.
January gives us permission to:
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Clear mental and physical clutter
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Slow down and re-evaluate without the pressure of “back to school”
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Reconnect with our kids’ interests
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Adjust our expectations… and theirs
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Start fresh without guilt
It’s not about starting over.
It’s about realigning our homeschool with what actually works for us.
1. Decluttering Our Homeschool Space (the reset always starts here)
One thing I’ve learned:
Clutter slows down learning and increases stress — for ALL of us.
So every January, before we touch curriculum or routines, we reset our space.
What we declutter:
✔ Old workbooks we’re done with
✔ Markers that magically lost their caps
✔ Art supplies that “had a good life”
✔ Toys that keep sneaking into the homeschool area
✔ Papers, stickers, worksheets we don’t need
✔ Overloaded bookshelves that overwhelm instead of inspire
How we do it:
I give each of my kids a small bin and challenge them:
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“Pick 10 things you don’t use anymore.”
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“Find any dried-out markers and toss them.”
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“Choose 3 books you don’t want to keep.”
My daughter (6) loves this because she feels like she’s helping.
My son (12) tolerates it, but deep down I know he appreciates the cleaner space.
Why this matters:
Kids learn better when the environment feels calm and simple.
Parents teach better when the environment feels manageable.
Even a 30-minute declutter gives us a major reset energy boost.
2. Refreshing Our Daily Rhythm (not rigid schedules)
I don’t create strict schedules — those have never worked for my family.
Instead, we reset our rhythm, which is more flexible and realistic.
We ask ourselves:
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What time do my kids naturally focus best?
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What do I have the most energy for in the mornings?
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What subjects work better earlier vs. later?
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Are we overloading certain days?
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Is our rhythm serving us or stressing us?
Our new January rhythm looks like this:
Morning
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Slow start (tea, stretching, morning basket)
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Read aloud (a chapter book for my 12-year-old, picture books for my 6-year-old)
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Core subjects (math + language arts)
Afternoon
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Independent work for my son
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Hands-on activities for my daughter
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One “family subject” like history, science, or geography
Late afternoon
This rhythm feels doable and peaceful, especially in the darker winter months.
3. Curriculum Check-In (what stays, what goes, what we adjust)
January is when I take a step back and evaluate what’s actually working — not what I wish was working.
I ask myself 6 questions:
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Are my kids retaining information?
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Do they dread certain subjects?
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Is a curriculum too easy or too difficult?
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Are they bored or overwhelmed?
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Does it fit our time and lifestyle?
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Do I enjoy teaching it? (this matters more than people admit)
For my 12-year-old
He’s at the age where independence matters. So we check if:
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His math curriculum feels too repetitive
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His writing program is clear enough for him
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He needs more hands-on science
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He wants to choose new elective-style topics
This age benefits from ownership and involvement in decisions.
For my 6-year-old
Her curriculum needs to be:
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Play-based
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Hands-on
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Not too writing-heavy
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Simple and short
January always reveals what’s too much for her attention span and what sparks joy.
The rule we follow:
If it’s causing tears or dread consistently, it’s the curriculum — not the child.
Switching or adjusting mid-year is not failure.
It’s wisdom.
4. Setting New Year Homeschool Goals (with the kids)
This is one of our favorite parts of the reset.
Instead of mom setting all the goals (and then fighting through them all year), we do it together.
How we do goal-setting:
We sit with cocoa and warm blankets and talk about:
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What we want to get better at
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What we want to learn about
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What hobbies we want to explore
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What books we want to read
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What skills the kids want to master
Our goal examples:
My 12-year-old:
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Improve writing confidence
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Finish a full chapter book series
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Learn basic cooking and budgeting
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Explore a new science topic each month
My 6-year-old:
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Read short CVC books without help
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Learn to tie her shoes
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Practice handwriting with fun worksheets
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Learn more about animals and space
My mom goals:
Because moms deserve goals, too.
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Keep lessons simple
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Stop overloading the schedule
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Read aloud more
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Add more field trips and seasonal learning
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Stay consistent but flexible
Goal-setting gives us direction without pressure.
5. Rebuilding Connection After the Holiday Rush
December is magical… but it’s also a lot.
By January, all of us need to reconnect.
We intentionally add:
1. More conversation
At the table, during walks, while cleaning — we reconnect.
2. More read-alouds
It creates peace instantly. Always.
3. More play time
Kids process so much through play, especially after busy seasons.
4. One-on-one time
Even 10 minutes makes a big difference.
A connected child learns better.
A connected homeschool flows better.
6. Reintroducing Learning Slowly (no academic whiplash!)
January can feel like stepping into ice water if we jump straight from holiday mode into full curriculum mode. So we ease back in.
Our rule:
The first week back is “soft start week.”
What it looks like:
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Shorter lessons
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More read-alouds
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Hands-on projects
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Winter-themed learning
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More creative time
We still learn — but gently.
This prevents burnout and gives everyone time to adjust.
7. Planning Seasonal Themes for January + February
This is the fun part.
Winter offers so many great themes:
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Snow science
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Arctic animals
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Winter crafts
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Hygge cozy reading
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Space (always a winter favorite!)
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Human body (perfect for January “health” themes)
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Civil Rights + MLK Jr.
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Geography: cold regions of the world
I pick 1–2 simple themes per month so we have fun learning without pressure.
My daughter loves crafts and sensory bins.
My son loves research projects and experiments.
Themes allow them both to participate at their level.
8. Resetting My Energy as a Homeschool Mom
This part is probably the most important.
A homeschool reset isn’t just for the kids.
It’s for me, too.
Here’s how I reset my own mindset:
✔ I let go of guilt from the fall.
✔ I remind myself learning did happen, even if it didn’t look traditional.
✔ I stop comparing our homeschool to others.
✔ I simplify and stop trying to do ALL the things.
✔ I choose joy over perfection.
✔ I pick ONE main priority per day, not ten.
And I remind myself:
This homeschool is for my kids — not the world’s expectations.
When my mindset shifts, our whole home shifts.
9. Reorganizing Our Resources (without buying more)
January tempts me to buy ALL NEW supplies… but I try not to.
Instead, we reorganize what we already have.
We sort:
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Library books
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Curriculum pieces
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Manipulatives
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Art supplies
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Educational games
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Binders and folders
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Printables
Systems that save us:
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A “current curriculum” basket for each kid
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A weekly folder for printables
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A small bin for finished work
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A book rotation box
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A morning basket for rich learning
Everything feels easier when we know where things are.
10. Building a Simple Weekly Plan (not overwhelming lesson plans)
To avoid burnout, I don’t create detailed plans.
Instead, each Sunday, I write:
This keeps me from overplanning or underplanning.
The real key:
Our plan is a guide, not a rulebook.
If we don’t finish everything, we roll it over.
No stress. No guilt.
11. Adding More Life Skills into Our Homeschool
A January reset is the perfect time to add life skills.
What we focus on:
For my 12-year-old:
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Laundry
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Cooking simple meals
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Basic cleaning
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Budgeting and saving
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Digital responsibility
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Time management
For my 6-year-old:
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Making her bed
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Helping with lunch
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Putting toys away
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Learning routines
Homeschool is more than academics — it’s preparing them for real life.
12. Creating a Cozy Atmosphere to Beat Winter Blues
The winter slump is real, so we intentionally make our homeschool cozy.
We add:
A cozy home makes learning feel peaceful instead of draining.
13. Homeschool Reset Traditions That Motivate My Kids
These little traditions make January exciting:
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New pencils and fresh notebooks
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A winter read-aloud challenge
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A “first day back” treat (cookies or cocoa)
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A simple art project
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A family vision board
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A fun field trip
Kids remember rituals more than worksheets.
14. Letting Go of “Perfect Homeschool Mom” Expectations
I always need this reminder:
Your homeschool is allowed to change.
Your kids are growing. You’re growing.
It’s okay to evolve.
January is the perfect time to release the pressure and choose simplicity.
The beauty of homeschooling is flexibility — we should use it.
15. What Our January Looks Like Now (and why it works)
After our reset, homeschooling feels:
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Lighter
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Calmer
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More organized
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More intentional
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Less overwhelming
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More connected
We don’t have to start over.
We just start fresh — with clarity and purpose.
If your homeschool has felt chaotic, draining, or messy, a January reset might be exactly what you need.
You don’t need new curriculum or a complete overhaul.
You just need a pause… a breath… and a plan that serves YOU and YOUR kids.
Ready to Start Your Own January Homeschool Reset?
I hope our family’s routine inspires you to create your own simple, peaceful reset.
Leave a Comment
How do you reset your homeschool in January?
Or are you starting your first reset this year?
Comment below — I love hearing from other homeschool families!
Want More Winter Ideas?
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Thank you for reading my blog! Stay tuned for more tips, resources, and printable materials to help make your homeschooling experience enjoyable and effective. Check out my store for a variety of educational products and printables to assist you on your homeschooling journey.
~With love,
Nancy at Cleverly Kindred ❤️
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