Shiny New Curriculum Fail -

It looked so good online. Your friends raved about it. You researched, scrimped and saved to afford it. You applied it to your homeschool and followed every iota of each lesson plan. So why are you sitting among torn pages and broken hopes? Why did the Shiny New Curriculum (SNC) fail you? Are you just that terrible a teacher? Are your kids less intelligent than you thought? How come it works for everyone else but you?

Sounds like we’ve walked through similar seasons. Let me give you some hope and few tips to get you through the Shiny New Curriculum Blues.

Mourn & Move on

It may seem like your SNC was just another curriculum but it was much more than that. It might seem silly to cry over it’s failed promises. But each school season holds a dream. You had big plans for this season. You prayed and fasted and worked hard to accomplish the goals you set for yourself and your family. If your curriculum included community and friends, specific to that program, then you’re also dealing with the feeling of excommunication and alienation.

All these things are worth mourning. Give yourself some time to process the implosion. Give your family time to refocus their energy. Avoid whining and lead your kids through the healing, by taking it all to God. As many times as it takes until you can move on. You’re not crazy for mourning the failed SNC. But avoid staying there. Mourn and move on.

Repent & Rediscover

Sometimes, plunging headfirst into your SNC may actually have been an act of distrust. You might have mistaken the pull to do the same thing everyone else is doing as God drawing you to a new adventure. Don’t give in to guilt. If this is the case, repent. Ask for forgiveness. Accept God’s freedom and press forward.

For some, it’s just the opposite. Some can say without a doubt, they followed the path God laid out for them and it bombed. You might be feeling as if you’ve let God down. If this is where you are, again, don’t give into guilt. Repent. God is not disappointed and He’s not shocked. He saw this coming before He called you. That means, He also sees the amazing benefits that lie ahead. Continue in fearless faith and press forward.

Either way, this is an marvelous time to rediscover God’s path for your family. Evaluate what worked and what didn’t. Celebrate every success. Give God glory for every newly discovered gift that bloomed out of the school year. From penmanship to perseverance, God is always growing His children. Dig deep. Rediscover your calling. Rediscover your passion. Rediscover your hope.

Refuse to Wallow

Mourn? Yes. Wallow? No. Confide in trusted friends? Yes. Slander the Shiny New Curriculum to everyone you meet? Duh! No.

An easy way to avoid wallowing is to give God praise. Praise Him for everything you rediscovered. Praise Him for the new friend you made using the SNC. Praise Him for the determination He built in you by pressing through the SNC. Praise Him for the pause He’s giving you, now. Praise Him out loud. Praise Him together. Praise Him everywhere.

Now, it’s time to play. Have fun! You may think your family skates across the valley of SNC failure without flinching. But, let me assure you they all noticed. During your praise time, take a moment to reassure your family that they are not the reason for the Shiny New Curriculum fail. They are not failures. One of the best ways to do this is to play with your kids. Play sports. Play board games. Play video games. Play together! Show them the joy of the Lord isn’t based on circumstances it’s founded in relationship. Play with them.

Need more encouragement? More is on the way. For now, help yourself to my Year in Review printable. Please subscribe to my newsletter and visit me on YouTube and Facebook.

I’m cheering you on!