In homeschool circles, “trust the process” is often used as a guiding principle, suggesting that success is inevitable if you follow a plan, stick to the curriculum, and stay the course. While that may sound reassuring, it’s not always the best advice. Homeschooling is not a one-size-fits-all journey. It’s a personalized learning experience that thrives on adaptability. Rather than blindly trusting the process, it’s important to remain flexible and responsive to your child’s needs.

There’s No One-Size-Fits-All Process

In public and private schools, every child is expected to learn the same material in the same way and at the same pace. On the other hand, homeschooling allows you to offer your child a custom-made education. Many homeschool parents recognize that the school’s cookie-cutter process doesn’t work for every child but tend to forget the same is true for homeschool methods.

If you rigidly follow any predetermined process, including popular homeschool methods, you risk missing out on opportunities to explore your child’s interests and adapt to their learning style. Instead of trusting the process, trust your instincts. Pay attention to how your child responds to different materials and teaching methods. Be willing to pivot when something isn’t working, even if it means completely scrapping your original plan.

Learning Is Not Always Linear

“Trust the process” implies that learning progresses in a straight line from point A to point B, but it’s rarely that simple. Children’s learning doesn’t always progress predictably. They might excel in one area while struggling in another or have a sudden breakthrough in a concept after weeks of struggling.

If you’re too focused on sticking to the planned process, you might overlook when your child needs extra time and support to grasp a difficult concept. Alternately, you may spend too long on a topic they already understand and are ready to move past, bogging them down with unnecessary busy work. Instead, be flexible and adjust the schedule to meet your child’s needs.

The Freedom to Experiment

One of the many advantages of homeschooling is the ability to experiment with different methods and materials. If you’re overly committed to a specific curriculum, you might miss out on discovering something that’s a better fit for your child.

Don’t be afraid to try new things. Swap out that textbook for a hands-on project, take a field trip to explore a topic in the real world, or incorporate a new teaching tool that better aligns with your child’s learning style. There are as many ways to homeschool as there are homeschool families, and what works for one may not work for yours.

“Trust the Process” as Advertising

Sometimes, homeschool curriculum companies and programs use the phrase “trust the process” to pressure parents into continuing with something that clearly isn’t working for their child. When parents express concern that their child isn’t progressing or is miserable, they are told to simply stick with it, “trust the process,” and eventually, it will all work out. Unfortunately, this isn’t always true, and following this advice can lead to frustration and a sense of failure for both the child and the parent.

It’s important to recognize that if a particular approach isn’t working, it’s okay to step back, reassess, and make changes. Homeschooling is about finding what works for your child, not forcing them into a predefined mold. You have not failed if you decide it’s in your child’s best interest to stop a highly-reviewed curriculum, discontinue a long-researched homeschool method, or leave a homeschool program. You have successfully made a step closer to finding what does work for your child.

But What About Consistency?

While flexibility is key in homeschooling, maintaining consistency is also important. I’m not suggesting that you constantly jump from one curriculum or homeschool method to another without giving it a fair chance. New approaches often require an adjustment period, so give your child and yourself time to adapt before deciding something isn’t working.

However, consistency can become counterproductive. If, after a reasonable trial period, your child is still disengaged or struggling, it’s time to rethink things. Consistency shouldn’t come at the expense of your child’s enthusiasm for learning. The goal is to find a balance between giving something enough time to work and being willing to make a change when it’s clearly not the right fit. Being consistent doesn’t mean you have to be rigid or trust a process no matter what.

 

 

The Takeaway: Trust Yourself, Not the Process

In homeschooling, there is no single “right” way to do things. There’s no predetermined process that can guarantee successful learning. By staying flexible, you’ll create an effective and enjoyable homeschool experience for your whole family.

So, next time you feel pressured to “trust the process,” remember that homeschooling is about freedom, adaptability, and the unique path your family is carving out together. Embrace that freedom, and don’t be afraid to trust yourself. You know your child and how they learn better than any process ever will.